Qld Rotax MAX Challenge - Round 1

press release

Across the weekend, the Cooloola Coast Kart Club played host to an impressive field in the first round of the Queensland Rotax Max Challenge.  The first event in the five round series attracted fields of 27 in Rotax Light and 24 in Rotax Heavy. JNR Max ran as a support class of 5.

Round One was run under a qualifying format so there was non-stop action the whole day. Kane Rowsell came out firing qualifying for Rotax Light and securing pole for the start of the heats with Geoff Uhrhane hot on his heels taking grid 2.  In Rotax Heavy Dale Verral set the pace early and looked like he was going to be very hard to beat as he convincingly took pole, Lane Moore was also a real contender and edged out William Yarwood to fill grid 2.

Above: Rotax Heavy grid, Dale Verrall (7) and Lane Moore on the front row.

Despite a relatively small field in JNR Max the racing between the top three was top rate and a thrilling spectacle.  Drivers Chris Hays, Ben Jursack and Damien Ward raced nose to tail all day long with the lead changing continuously. The final outcome was Ben Jursack 1st, Chris Hays 2nd and Damien Ward 3rd.  Such close competition will be great to watch develop through the series in a class which is a platform for the future of the sport.

Above: Junior Rotax podium, Ben Jursack with his set of tyres for winning

Fast and furious finals action dominated both senior classes.  In Rotax Light, Geoff Uhrhane got a great start and opened up an early lead with Troy Bretherton attempting to reel him in. The two standout drives were by Kyle Ensby who came from 12th all the way through the field and managed to get past Troy Bretherton to get into 2nd spot just a few laps from home.  Kane Rowsell overcame an unlucky incident in the pre-final which saw him start in the finals at grid 14.  He fought his way through the field to finish 5th.  In the end a rock solid drive by Geoff Urhane saw him take the chequered flag with Kyle Ensby 2nd and Troy Bretherton 3rd.

Above: Rotax Light grid

Rotax Heavy also delivered spirited and thrilling racing.  After the heats and pre-finals in Rotax Heavy it seemed Dale Verrall would walk away with it but his competitors had other ideas.  Hard work on their karts between races paid obvious dividends for Lane Moore, William Yarwood and Joel Allingham.  Right from the start of the final it was obvious that Dale did not have the edge over the field he did during the heats and pre final. William Yarwood was right on the tail of Verrall from the green light with Allingham and Moore hot on their heels.  Verrall and Yarwood changed lead close to a dozen times during the 12 laps with William Yarwood getting the upper hand and taking the chequered flag followed by Lane Moore in 2nd and Dale Verrall crossing the line 3rd.

Above: Rotax Heavy podium

Series co-ordinator Ken Bensley said “It was great to see such a fantastic turn out and support for the Rotax Class.  The racing was edge-of-your-seat and it was really great to see the drivers enjoying themselves, in turn delivering awesome racing action for the supporters and spectators.”

All competitors had a great weekend and the second round is set to be another great show on the 1st of June at the Lismore Kart Club.  Registrations for the series are still available up until the close of nominations at next meet – 1st June Lismore Kart Club. 

Above: Rotax Light podium

 

Home