From Ipswich To Japan For Burns & McCleverty

AKA press release

Wollongong driver Jason Burns and Queensland karting stalwart John McCleverty are getting their passports in order following victories in the All Japan Yamaha qualifier at Ipswich, Queensland last Saturday night.

Burns, who is currently residing in the Sunshine state, was forced to fend off challenges from Western Australian Steven Scoble and local driver Matt Goddard on his way to victory.

Above: Jason Burns
pic - Ash Budd, www.photowagon.com.au

With a trip to compete in Japan during early October on the line, the action was thick and fast at the front of the field of the 15-lap final in the Clubman Light category.

Burns grabbed the lead during the early running aboard his Redspeed kart and immediately opened a gap over Scoble, who was campaigning the new Australian-made Arrow XE-28 chassis with seven-time Australian champion Troy Hunt as his mechanic.

By mid race Scoble had bridged the gap to the leader and took over the front running with eight laps to go. The leading duo were then joined by Phoenix driver Cian Fothergill and the hard charging Goddard.

With a handful of laps remaining Burns regained the lead under brakes at the end of the back straight, only to have Scoble fight straight back forcing the leading trio go three-wide entering the final turn. This minor altercation allowed Burns to open a race winning lead and he crossed the line just clear of Goddard, who posted the fastest lap in the final, in second place who was followed by Scoble and Fothergill.

Britek Motorsport scholarship karter Justin Garioch, who was running third in the pre-final until he spun out, was the hard charger of the final manoeuvring his way up to fifth place from 16th on the starting grid. Fast Femme Abbey Kellie was the pacesetter during qualifying.

“I’m just ecstatic, I really wanted to win this deal,” said Burns.

“The racing in the final was great and was made even more enjoyable by winning. I tested quite a bit the night before the race to make sure my kart would work well in the cooler conditions of the night, which certainly paid off. Now, I can’t wait to get over to Japan.”

In the second class which had a trip to Japan on offer, the Yamaha TAG class for 100SEC engines driven by C Grade licence holders, it was Toowoomba’s McCleverty who simply dominated the field.

Above: John McCleverty
pic - Ash Budd, www.photowagon.com.au

Despite not having raced for over six years McCleverty showed that he had lost none of his touch behind the wheel on his way to victory.

Aided by karting identity Ralph Van Doorn as his mechanic, McCleverty steered his Azzurro chassis across the line first in every race of the event to secure his entry to the 32nd Annual Toyota All Japan Kart Championships.

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