Robert Pulbere, master of the Bucharest round

Rounds 1 and 2 took place at Prejmer, then it was time for the circuit near the capital to host the third round of the Romanian ROK Cup. Hot conditions made everything tough. Those who thrived now give us a better outline in the title fights as the season is halfway through.

In Micro ROK it seemed that we would witness another episode of the battle between Dragoș Ciuleanu (7Motorsport) and Adam Diaconu (BRT), the two sharing their victories in Saturday's races. The surprise came on Sunday, when both races were won by Andrei Ștefan Rebenciuc (BRT), Ciuleanu being the victim of an incident at the start of the third heat. Tudor Stamatoiu (Drinago Racing) and Diegis Cășuneanu (Artmedica Ace Performance) animated the field,  managing to claim race podiums.

Mini ROK brought together 21 participants, each race having a different winner. From the trio of title favorites, composed of Gergo Buzas (CSSK), Radu Băsescu-Pricop (Real Racing) and Darren Betea (7Motorsport), only the former celebrated a victory in Bucharest. The other races were won by Șerban Vizitiu (BRT), Hugo Hejnar (CSSK) and Andreas Drugău (Gulstar Racing). Hejnar had the highest points total at the end of the weekend and he also won the Under 10 subcategory. The Mini ROK Lady trophy was fiercely contested by the 5 participants, being won by Teodora Epuraș (Artmedica Ace Performance) ahead of Antonia Vidican (Vidi Top Sport) and Maria Lăcan (CSSK).

Even though Alexandru Nechifor (JMS Performance) was absent, the Junior ROK category was particularly lively, with 10 competitors. Among them was Robert Pulbere (Gulstar Racing), fastest in qualifying by a large margin (four tenths) in front of a very evenly-matched group of six. Saturday's races confirmed the difference in pace between Pulbere and the chasing pack, with some intense battles for second place taking place over five seconds behind the winner. Pulbere's third victory was even easier, but the last one came only due to the technical disqualification of the one who crossed the finish line first - Carla Maria Roșu (Real Racing). Thus, Pulbere stockpiled 100 points out of all possible and teammate Călin Costea distanced himself at the top of the general classification.

In the battle for the Senior ROK title between Alexandru Zănescu (JMS Performance) and Mihnea Lorent (Real Racing), Istvan Dezso (JMS Performance) and Eric Bălan (Formula K RO) got in between in the previous round. This time, Eduard Angheluș (Artmedica Ace Performance) joined them up front, each time on the podium in the four races in Bucharest. The victories went, however, to the "full-timers": two for Zănescu twice, one for Lorent. The surprise came on Saturday afternoon, when Tudor Gioroc (JMS Performance) held off the two with flying colours.

The RKM pack will meet again in four weeks time in Târgu Secuiesc, for the fourth round of the season.

The third round can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWtEu2Z0nE