Ivermee & Burns show the way at Vic Open

AKA press release

Local driver Aaron Ivermee and Wollongong’s Jason Burns have proved to be the pacesetters during the second day of competition at the Victorian Karting Championships sponsored by Pettaras Press in Geelong today.

Burns has continued his impressive early form which saw him qualify on pole position for both the Clubman and Leopard Light categories with three wins from four starts in his heat races today.

Above: Jason Burns leads Jason Hryniuk in Leopard Light
pic - Cooper's Photography

As a result of his dominance in the Leopard Light category Burns will start from pole position in tomorrow’s pre-final.

Ivermee is currently the top points scorer in the highly competitive Clubman Light category. In the 54-kart field Ivermee has recorded two heat race wins and will start as one of the favourites for tomorrow’s championship finals.

He was also leading the opening heat race of the Formula 100 category before experiencing an engine failure that forced him onto the sidelines. He did however manage to make amends in the second qualifying heat to finish in fourth place.

Along with Ivermee, it was also a mixed day for fellow local Daniel Richert. A pair of second places in the high-speed Formula 100 ensured the 27-year-old will start tomorrow’s pre-final from the front row.

However, the 27-year-old wasn’t so fortunate in the Leopard Heavy category. After winning the opening 9-lap heat race Richert experienced disappointment in the second race when a broken exhaust prevented him from finishing the event.

Another local, Dominic Albanese, is poised for a podium result in the premier Formula 100 category after recording two top five finishes in each of the qualifying heat races. He also finished fifth in the pre-final late this afternoon.

In the elite Junior category Queenslander Scott McLaughlin is proving to be the pace setter aboard his Britek Motorsport-backed Arorw kart. He claimed the win in two heat races while James Kovacic will also be one to watch after securing a win and a second placing during his two races throughout the day.

A total of 464 competitors, both boys and girls, are competing at the championships sponsored by Pettaras Press. The youngest drivers are aged from seven years old in the Midgets category with teenagers racing in the junior categories and adults in the senior classes.

The remaining six Pre-Finals will be held tomorrow morning followed by the Championship Finals in the afternoon.

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

RACE NOTES

CLUBMAN HEAVY
Heat 1a
Fastest qualifier Paul Pittam claimed the win in his Pro Karting powered Omega chassis ahead of Jeremy Anderson and Travis Millar. Anderson led lap one before Pittam took the lead mid race and then gradually opened his lead to win by four kart lengths.

Heat 1b
Remo Luciani started from pole position but it was a lights to flag victory for Matthew Wall in his Arrow. CRG’s Jason Hryniuk held on for second ahead of Peter Lawler after the pair exchanged the runner up spot on a number of occasions during the race. Lee Mitchener was a big mover charging from 10th place on the grid to finish fifth.

Heat 2a
Omega driver Paul Pittam led the early running before being passed by Matthew Wall and Monaco driver Peter Lawler. Wall drove a defensive race over the last few laps to hold on for the win ahead of Lawler and Pittam. Lee Mitchener again made up some good spots to finish inside the top five, as did Darren Camilleri.

Heat 2b
Jeremy Anderson got the better of fellow Monaco driver Remo Luciani at the start to open a race winning lead. Tony Kart driver Travis Millar was second ahead of Simon Roberts. A clash mid race between Luciani and Jason Hryniuk dropped both drivers down the order.

Heat 3a
Paul Pittam again showed superior pace to take a lights to flag victory ahead of fellow South Australian Michael Cross. Third place went to Jason Hryniuk who was followed by Danny Errigo and Daniel Baker.

Heat 3b
A mid race downpour made life interesting for the competitors but it was Tony Kart driver Travis Millar who mastered the conditions best and claimed a dominant victory. Aaron Rintoul finished second ahead of Matt Wall, Jeremy Anderson and Peter Lawler.

MIDGETS
Heat 1
The leading trio exchanged positions on a number of occasions with fastest qualifier Chris Corbett, Adelaide’s Tyler Morrison and Jake Dixon battling for the lead. In the end it was Dixon who took a narrow victory ahead of Morrison and Corbett.

Heat 2
After Tyler Morrison spun on the opening lap dropping him to the rear of the field it became a two way battle at the front between Jake Dixon and Chris Corbett. In the end it was Dixon who took his second win ahead of Corbett. Lachie Kerr finished third narrowly ahead of Aaron Seton.

Pre-Final
A wet track greeted competitors as Joshua Buggy got the jump from the start closely followed by Jake Klein. After shadowing Buggy for a number of laps Klein moved into the lead with a handful of laps remaining to drive away with the victory. Aaron Seton got the better of a four-way battle for third.

FORMULA 100
Heat 1
Fastest qualifier David Sera led the early laps in his Arrow kart before local driver Aaron Ivermee made his way through in the early laps. Unfortunately Ivermee appeared to suffer an engine failure mid race enabling Sera back into the lead that he never relinquished. Sera led home the Geelong duo of Daniel Richert and Dominic Albanese.

Heat 2
Once again David Sera proved too good to take the win ahead of Daniel Richert and Hayden McBride. Aaron Ivermee finished fourth.

Pre Final
Victorian David Sera made it three wins from as many starts by taking the win ahead of Daniel Richert. Third place went to Phoenix driver Matthew Hayes followed by Gillard’s Hayden McBride.

ROTAX HEAVY
Heat 1
After qualifying fastest Rick Pringle made it a winning debut in his CRG by crossing the line well clear of second placed Brett Davidson. New South Wales CRG driver Simon Meyer finished third.

Heat 2
Brett Davidson and Rick Pringle exchanged the lead on a number of occasions before Davidson held on for the win. Pringle finished second ahead of Andrew Torville.

JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
Heat 1a
It was a three-way battle between fastest qualifier Steven Mackenzie and the Arrow pair Matthew Brabham and Adam Marjoram. Each driver led the way at one stage or another but in the end it was the Phoenix driver of Mackenzie who crossed the line first ahead of Western Australian Morjoram and Brabham.

Heat 1b
The Kosmic pair of Cameron Waters and James Kovacic showed the field a clean pair of heels during the opening few laps. Waters led the way for the opening nine laps of the race before Kovacic made a last lap pass for the win. Tyler Greenbury got the better of a race long battle with fellow Tony Kart driver Chris Hays for third spot.

Heat 2a
Matthew Brabham led the early running before James Kovacic negotiated his way to the front of the field. He then went on to take the win by approximately six kart lengths over Hays who was followed by Tyler Cramer.

Heat 2b
In an uncharacteristic race for Junior National Light the race was reasonably processional with the top five being separated by a number of kart lengths for the duration. Kosmic driver Cameron Waters led from lights to flag ahead of Warren White Jnr, Tyler Greenbury, Mathew Hart and Jordan Nicoloau.

LEOPARD LIGHT
Heat 1
Wollongong pilot Jason Burns led the way into turn one and despite Gillard driver Hayden McBride closing the gap to less than a kart length mid race Burns held on for the win. Third across the line was Queenslander John Grother. One of the major casualties on the event was Tony Kart’s Grant Smith, an incident mid race forced him onto the sidelines.

Heat 2
Wherever you looked in the field there was action – with the exception of the race lead, which Jason Burns held for the entire distance. CRG driver Jason Hryniuk finished second ahead of Grant Smith, Hayden McBride and John Grother. The Sera cousins were big movers in the field after qualifying well down the order.

SENIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
Heat 1
Fastest qualifier and current National Champion Daniel Stein was simply dominant on his way to victory.

Heat 2
Once again it was Daniel Stein who proved to be the pace setter, however, this time Matthew Waters shadowed him over the final few laps to cross the line half a kart length behind. Brendon Nelson finished third.

CLUBMAN SUPER HEAVY
Heat 1
Redspeed driver Scott Simpson started from pole position and led the early running before suffering a mechanical failure mid race which left him stranded in the middle of the track exiting turn six. Simpson’s kart was collected by Jason Stania, who had moved from fifth to second at the time, which dropped Stania down the order. Emerging from the chaos unscathed was Nathan Van Hulst to take the win ahead of fastest qualifier Phil Straughen.

Heat 2
South Australian Nick Scudds made a big move entering turn one to jump into the top three but as the race continued he lost a number of spots as Scott Simpson took the win ahead of Jason Stania and Jarrod Wilson.

CLUBMAN LIGHT
Heat 1a
Local driver Aaron Ivermee found his way to the front early in the race to hold on for a narrow victory over fastest qualifier Jason Burns in his Redspeed. Third across the line was James Sera followed by defending champion Bart Price and Phoenix driver Cian Fothergill.

Heat 1b
In a four way battle for the lead it was youngster Zeke Edwards who eventually gained the upper hand over Leigh Nicoloau for the win. Albury driver Bret Mullavey made a last lap pass on the second fastest qualifier Steven Scoble for third position.

Heat 2a
Zeke Edwards led for the majority of the race before Jason Burns made his way to the lead late in the race and to take the win. After running in fifth position for a number of laps defending Victorian Champion Bart Price manoeuvred his way up the order during the closing stages and crossed the line side by side with Matthew Hayes. Edwards finished fifth.

Heat 2b
Local driver Aaron Ivermee got the jump from the start and went on to claim his second heat race victory. West Australian Steven Scoble made a last lap pass to finish second ahead of Leigh Nicoloau. James Sera finished fourth.

ROTAX LIGHT
Heat 2
Azzurro’s Tom Williamson led the early running from pole position before Intrepid driver Daniel Rochford proved to have superior pace on the main straight mid race to move into the lead. Rochford went on to take the win ahead of Williamson ahead of Toowoomba’s Brendan Nelson.

Pre-Final
CC Racing Intrepid driver Troy Woolston was unchallenged on his way to victory. Pole sitter Tom Williamson dropped back during the early laps but fought back for second ahead of Daniel Rochford.

CLUBMAN OVER 40’s
Heat 2
West Australian Greg Dicker moved into the lead at the start of the race but by mid race the pace of Remo Luciani ensured he was able to take over the front running and he held on for the victory. Dicker finished second ahead of Neil Silke.

Pre-Fina
After starting on pole position Remo Luciani gained the ascendency during the opening few laps as Greg Dicker settled into second place. Rain started to fall midway through the race catching a number of competitors out, including Dicker. Luciani carefully negotiated his way to the victory on a very slippery track ahead of Bevan Garioch and Neil Silke.

JUNIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
Heat 2a
Bendigo driver Tyler Cramer made a good start and opened an early lead that he never relinquished to claim an easy victory. Second across the line was Ben Stewart ahead of CC Racing’s Josh De Maio.

Heat 2b
The top three had a race of their own with Garry Jacobsen taking a narrow victory ahead of Aaron Johnstone and the A1 engines powered entry of Clancy Purdie.

Heat 3a
The slippery conditions didn’t seem to affect the dominance of Tyler Cramer as he went on to dominate the race leaving Andrew Rae to finish second ahead of Joshua De Maio.

Heat 3b
Clancy Purdie controlled the race from the front and crossed the finish line two kart lengths clear of Caleb Rayner and a fast finishing Ben Stewart.

SENIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
Heat 2
At one stage the top eight drivers raced nose to tail and were exchanging positions lap after lap. In the end it was Thomas Phillips who took the win ahead of female driver Megan Hapgood, who made some impressive passing manoeuvres during the race, and Iain McDougall.

Pre-Final
Held on a drying track some last minute changes to the set up and gearing enable Dale Beaton to secure a comfortable victory. Behind him came Ashley Sinclair and James May.

LEOPARD HEAVY
Heat 2
An opening lap incident eliminated Simon Layne, Dominic Albanese, Bobby Burke and Harvey Morrison. Further drama evolved when opening heat race winner, local driver Daniel Reichert, endured a broken exhaust header on his engine and was forced to retire. Michael Griffiths took the win ahead of Jeremy Anderson and Nathan Mills.

Pre-Final
New South Wales driver Daniel Stein led the opening few laps and appeared to have the field’s measure. However, Nathan Mills had other ideas in his Top Kart and had bridged the gap by mid race before taking over the lead. Mills went on to take the win and earn pole position for the final. Stein finished second ahead of Sinclair. Front runner Rick Pringle was involved in an opening turn incident dropping him down the order while Jeremy Anderson was also a casualty of a mid race incident and finished well down.

ROOKIES
Heat 2a
Adrian Lazzaro got the better of a three-way battle for the victory ahead of Jonathan Venter and Liam Morey.

Heat 2b
The leading trio were in close proximity for the duration of the event with Joseph Mawson, Dylan Higgins and Jordan Lloyd all finding their way to the front. A last corner incident saw Higgins spin out of contention as Mawson took the win as Lloyd benefited from the demise of Higgins to finish second. Brock Plumb finished third.

Heat 3a
The last lap proved to be a pivotal point in the race with the second, third and fourth placed runners all being eliminated when Joseph Mawson climbed onto the back of Adrian Lazzaro leaving Jordan Lloyd nowhere to go. Jonathan Venter went on to take the win ahead of KART 9 and Dylan Higgins in his Arrow.

Heat 3b
Liam Morey was simply dominant on his way to victory. He crossed the line well clear of Brock Plumb and Jake Coleman who crossed the line side by side in the battle for second and third.

JUNIOR CLUBMAN
Heat 2a
Britek Scholarship driver Scott McLaughlin proved too good to take the win. Amongst the front runners was Garry Jacobsen, Ben Lincoln, Damien Ward and Ben Stewart. Interestingly enough Australian-made chassis filled the top ten spots in this heat race.

Heat 2b
Pro Karting driver Kayne Hughes led for the duration to take the win ahead of a fast finishing James Kovacic and Andrew Rae. Matthew Brabham held second for the majority of the race before eventually finishing fourth.

Heat 3a
Scott McLaughlin led the entire distance. At one stage he had a lead over almost six kart lengths before crossing the line two-kart lengths clear of Josh De Maio who was followed by Kayne Hughes.

Heat 3b
New South Wales driver James Kovacic moved to the front of the pack on the third lap and went on to claim a convincing victory. Second across the line was Garry Jacobsen followed by Ben Lincoln

*All results are unofficial

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