Estonian GP qualifying: Thomas Kangro fastest in top karting class, Ville Valtonen in superbikes

The Booden Kinnisvara Estonian Grand Prix at Porsche Ring in Pärnu saw intense qualifying sessions on Friday, August 7, 2026. In the premier Formula Elite karting category, Thomas Kangro, a seasoned circuit racer competing in a formula car for the first time, clinched pole position with a blistering time of 1:13.892. He edged out 13-year-old debutant Albert Tamm by a mere 0.039 seconds, with 15-year-old Aleksander Uusneem qualifying third, over a second behind.

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Coming from a touring car to a formula car is quite difficult. The most difficult thing for me is braking: braking in a formula car is strong and short, while in a touring car there is more play.

Kangro described the transition from touring cars to formula racing as challenging, particularly the braking. "Braking in a formula car is strong and short, while in a touring car there is more play," he explained. He noted that he had been running behind Tamm for most of the session, possibly gaining an advantage from slipstreaming on the main straight. Tamm expressed satisfaction with his qualifying performance, calling it "quite good for a first formula race," while acknowledging Kangro's speed.

The Superbike class also delivered excitement, with Finland's Ville Valtonen posting the fastest lap at 1:13.904, despite significant technical difficulties. His BMW suffered an electrical problem after practice, forcing him to undertake much of the repair work himself due to a shortage of mechanics. Eemeli Lahti qualified second, 0.223 seconds behind Valtonen, and Jaanus Saarmaa was third, more than two seconds adrift.

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I drove behind Albert for the entire qualifying session with a gap of about two hundred meters. On the start straight, I managed to get closer and perhaps gained a few milliseconds from his slipstream.

Despite the gap, Saarmaa, the fastest Estonian in the Superbike class, will start third on the grid. He is steadily improving his performance with his new Aprilia RSV4, stating, "The tempo is gradually increasing. I have also improved the bike's setup. The bike already feels like my own."

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I am satisfied with qualifying, quite good for a first formula race. Thomas was very fast.

Other categories also saw competitive qualifying. Asmo Aulik was fastest in the historic Formula Easter class, while Latvian drivers Raitis Murnieks and Andris Grikis dominated Formula Mondial. In the V1600 auto class for the Estonian championships, Latvian Arvids Rumbens took pole, followed by Martti Hoop and Ruudi Reinumägi. The Twin Sportbike motorcycle class featured a tight contest, with Karol Kadarik securing the fastest time, just 0.09 seconds ahead of championship leader Oskar Kärg. Hugo-Brent Freimann led the Superstock 600 class, and Tristan Liiv surprised in the Supersport 300 category.

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The tempo is gradually increasing. I have also improved the bike's setup. The bike already feels like my own.