Vic Open Qualifying - Pittam Steals The Show

AKA press release - karting.net.au

Little known Adelaide driver Paul Pittam has leaped into the spotlight during the opening day of competition for the Victorian Open Karting Championships sponsored by Pettaras Press in Geelong today.

Pittam, who is competing in the highly competitive 100cc Clubman Heavy category, upset many of his more fancied rivals to set the pace during qualifying for this weekend’s championships.

Making Pittam’s qualifying performance even more impressive was the fact that he is using a leased engine from Pro Karting, is the only competitor in the field driving an Australian-made Omega chassis and behind him on the time sheets were a number of former Australian Champions.

“I’ve won four state championships over the seven years I’ve been racing but this is probably one of, if not the, toughest fields I’ve ever raced in,” said Pittam.

“It’s a win for the little guy really. I’m one of only four drivers from South Australia in the class, which has got 43 entries, and I’m the only one using an Adelaide-made Omega chassis.

“The kart is working really well and the engine has great power. It’s a great start to the weekend but there is still a lot of work to do between now and when the championships will be decided on Sunday afternoon.”

Local drivers Aaron Ivermee and Daniel Richert were both amongst the pacesetters during qualifying. Ivermee qualified second fastest behind multiple Australian Champion David Sera in the high-speed Formula 100 category while Richert was second fastest in the 125cc Leopard Heavy category behind Michael Griffiths.

Third generation racers Aaron Seton and Matthew Brabham both qualified inside the top five in their respective classes as their famous fathers, Glenn and Geoff, watched on from the sidelines.

The action will continue today with heat races followed by the Championship Finals on Sunday.

The Beckley Park International Raceway is located on Geelong Road, Corio - adjacent to trotting track/north of Geelong. Admission is free for spectators.

2008 VICTORIAN OPEN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS - Sponsored by Pettaras Press

Qualifying

MIDGETS
1. Chris Corbett
2. Tyler Morrison
3. Jake Dixon

ROOKIES
1. Adrian Lazzaro
2. Joseph Mawson
3. Liam Morey

JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
1. Steven Mackenzie
2. Cameron Waters
3. Chris Hays

JUNIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
1. Tyler Cramer
2. Garry Jacobsen
3. Ben Stewart

JUNIOR CLUBMAN
1. Scott McLaughlin
2. Adam Hughes
3. Ben Lincoln

SENIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
1. James True
2. Ashley Sinclair
3. Iain McDougal

SENIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
1. Daniel Stein
2. Mathew Waters
3. Brendan Nelson

CLUBMAN LIGHT
1. Jason Burns
2. Steven Scoble
3. Zeke Edwards

CLUBMAN HEAVY
1. Paul Pittam
2. Remo Luciani
3. Matthew Wall

CLUBMAN SUPER HEAVY
1. Phil Straughen
2. Scott Simpson
3. Jason Stania

CLUBMAN OVER 40s
1. Greg Dicker
2. Neil Silke
3. Simon Layne

ROTAX LIGHT
1. Tom Williamson
2. Daniel Rochford
3. Troy Woolston

ROTAX HEAVY
1. Rick Pringle
2. Liam Myers
3. Brett Davidson

LEOPARD LIGHT
1. Jason Burns
2. Jason Hryniuk
3. Grant Smith

LEOPARD HEAVY
1. Michael Griffiths
2. Daniel Richert
3. Matt Greenbury

FORMULA 100
1. David Sera
2. Aaron Ivermee
3. Hayden McBride

Home