|
 |
| July 11, 2012 |
| Australian Karting Champions Crowned in Darwin |
| |
 | Luke Marquis on his way to victory in the Junior National Light category
(Photo: AF Images-Budd) |
The 50th Australian National Sprint Kart Championships were contested at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Karting Raceway across the weekend with five drivers securing their maiden national championship.
The nine winners were split all across the country with three winners came from Victoria, two from Queensland and Western Australia with one from South Australia.
2012 Australian Karting Champions
Junior National Light – Luke Marquis (Pasadena, SA)
Junior National Heavy (*result under appeal) – James Allen (Mt Lawley, WA)
Junior Clubman – Thomas Randle (Narre Warren North, Vic)
Senior National – James French (Dayellup, WA)
Clubman Light – James Sera (Mulgrave, Vic)
Clubman Heavy – Matthew Wall (Sunbury, Vic)
Clubman Super Heavy – Scott Simpson (Ormeau, QLD)
Leopard Light – Pierce Lehane (Castle Hill, NSW)
Leopard Heavy – Brendan Nelson (Varsity Lakes, QLD)
Junior National Light
Luke Marquis left no doubt who was the Australian Champion in the Junior National Light category. Marquis was dominant on his way to claiming the win ahead of local favourite Bryce Fullwood, who charged his way from 15th position on the grid due to an incident in the pre-final.
Junior National Heavy
The Junior National Heavy final was full of action with Brock Plumb and Jordan Boys dicing it out for the lead throughout the race. In the end it became a five-way freight train at the front of the field.
When Plumb and Boys came together in the final turn, James Allen emerged from fifth to cross the line first ahead of fellow West Aussie Nicholas Rowe. However, these results remain provisional pending the outcome of a post race appeal regarding a technical inspection.
Junior Clubman
After being the pacesetter for much of the weekend Thomas Randle had CIK Stars of Karting Series counterpart Jake Coleman chase him down over the closing stages of the 16-lap final. When Coleman made an attempt to steal the win in the final turn, the pair touched and Randle was forced off the racing line allowing Coleman to cross the line first. A post-race stewards hearing saw Coleman given a one place penalty for his part in the final turn contact, handing the win to Randle. Third place went to Marquis.
Senior National
In the Senior National category, French led the way when it mattered most to cross the line first ahead of Luke Jones and polesitter Tyler Cramer. As has come to be expected in Senior National competition, the racing was hard fought with very little separating the top six all throughout the race.
Clubman Light
James Sera was nothing short of dominant on his way to the fourth national championship of his career – his third in the Clubman Light ranks. Kalgoorlie driver Anthony Martin has been somewhat of a revelation throughout the opening half of 2012, mixing it with his more fancied rivals and tonight’s final was no different. Martin claimed the runner-up spot ahead of defending champion Cian Fothergill and New Zealand competitor Aaron Marr.
 | Western Australian James French leading the way in Senior National
(Pic: AF Images-Budd) |
Clubman Heavy
Competing in the highly competitive Clubman Heavy category, Matthew Wall emerged as the victor following a frantic 16-lap final. He crossed the line 0.079 seconds ahead of outgoing champion Kip Foster. Third place went to Sydneysider Jason Hryniuk.
Clubman Super Heavy
Queenslander Scott Simpson was unstoppable on his way to victory in the Clubman Super Heavy category. Simpson claimed the fifth national championship of his career ahead of Ben McKinlay who charged back into contention after a lap one incident dropped him down the order.
Leopard Light
Pierce Lehane led home former national champion James Sera in the Leopard Light category to claim the first national championship in the senior ranks – Lehane secured back-to-back Pro Junior (KF3) titles in 2010 and 2011. Finishing third was Cian Fothergill ahead of Nathan Davis and Chris Farkas.
Leopard Heavy
After eight years of trying, Brendan Nelson led home a stellar field of drivers in Leopard Heavy after charging down two-time, and defending, champion Lee Mitchener later in the race. The duo raced nose-to-tail over the last few laps before Mitchener made one last gasp to steal the win entering the fast esses on the back section of the circuit. When the pair touched wheels it sent Mitchener spiraling through the air at high speed, while out of the race, he emerged uninjured from the incident – the same couldn’t be said for his Tony Kart. As Mitchener dusted himself off, Nelson crossed the line first and Matthew Wall stole the runner-up placing from Brad Fitch exiting the final turn.
50th Australian National Sprint Kart Championships
Darwin, NT
CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS (Top Five)
Junior National Light
1. Luke Marquis
2. Bryce Fullwood
3. Chris Burley
4. Tyler Morrison
5. Damon Strongman
Junior National Heavy
*result under appeal
1. James Allen
2. Nicholas Rowe
3. Jesse Elliott
4. William Hawkes
5. Damon Strongman
Junior Clubman
1. Thomas Randle
2. Jake Coleman
3. Luke Marquis
4. Nicholas Rowe
5. Jake Klein
Senior National
1. James French
2. Luke Jones
3. Tyler Cramer
4. Trent Rogers
5. Todd Stevens
 | Pierce Lehane leading the way in the Leopard Light final
(Photo: AF Images-Budd) |
Clubman Light
1. James Sera
2. Anthony Martin
3. Cian Fothergill
4. Aaron Marr
5. Matthew Waters
Clubman Heavy
1. Matthew Wall
2. Kip Foster
3. Jason Hryniuk
4. Kris Walton
5. Lee Mitchener
Clubman Super Heavy
1. Scott Simpson
2. Ben McKimlay
3. Danny Errigo
4. Ryan Fulcher
5. Ashley Pittard
Leopard Light
1. Pierce Lehane
2. James Sera
3. Cian Fothergill
4. Nathan Davis
5. Chris Farkas
Leopard Heavy
1. Brendan Nelson
2. Matthew Wall
3. Bradley Fitch
4. Kris Walton
5. Jason Hryniuk |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
