Over 40s Grand Prix

A photo gallery of the vintage karts and drivers will be posted soon

from Michael Scott

International guests, 90 Vintage karts on exhibition and doing demonstration runs, 130 Over 40’s Karters mixing it for the Grand Prix title of their respective class, Harley Davidson motorbike display, Pip  Bullman aerobatic display - these all filled an action packed weekend of kart racing at Numurkah Raceway, hosted by the Goulburn Valley Kart Club, on 8-9 November.

over 40s GP
Above: Just part of the vintage demonstration. A photo gallery of the old stuff will be posted soon.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

One of the highlights of the weekend was the presentation dinner on Saturday night.  This included  the inaugural presentation of the Australian Karting Hall of Fame, in memory of Frank Wannanmacher, an original member of what was to become the GVKC in 1959 and a member of the Victorian police force.

The presentation by Frank’s grandson inducted the first recipient: John Pizarro, 15 times Australian Karting Champion, DAP Karts works driver, international Australian representative and founder of Sprinter Karts.

Household names such as Victa, McCulloch, Villiers and Yamaha powered vintage chassis including Monza, Sprinter, Bug and Demon. Steered by veteran drivers including: Faye Pierson, multiple Australian Champions Graham Powles and John Pizarro, Victorian Karting Association President, David Murray and Australian Karting Association Treasurer, Max Laybutt.

over 40s GP
Above: It was very wet the day prior
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

Once  the vintage karts were grouped together in their respective classes, drivers were more than keen to demonstrate the turns of speed these historic machines presented from the early 60’s through to the late 90’s, prior to the evolution of the modern racing kart.

Special guests included Duffy ‘Mr Go Kart’ Livingston (USA), the first manufacturer and patent holder of Go karts, also responsible for forming the International Karting Federation. Faye ‘lady bug’ Pierson (USA), responsible for developing the Bug Kart in the 50’s and still driving today.

Stunt Kart driver Richard Kennedy (USA) showed off his two-wheeled prowess. Terry Fullerton (UK), regarded by the late Ayrton Senna as his greatest career rival, competed in karts in the 70s. Other Australian Champions in attendance included: Brian and Robert Hunter who both added international success to multiple Australian Championships. Peter Ward won 12 Australian Titles in the 60’s, Marlene Dean, 2 times 200cc Super title holder and drove in 200 Super in the Over 40’s class over the weekend.

over 40s GP
Above: No, it's not an accident in motion. American Richard Kennedy shows how to drive an old kart on 2 wheels!
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

Over 40’s drivers seriously pursued the Grand Prix titles on offer, but all within the spirit of great mateship that this meeting enthused. The 200cc twin engine, open performance class provided the greatest spectacle with John Rollins being the victor.

A huge field of Clubman Heavy ages 40-49 was ultimately dominated by local champion Peter Cocca (GVKC), working his way to the front in the early heats, then dominating from pole in the final. A tangle of karts and some defensive driving saw Frank Falla (Geelong) lead home Rotax Heavy. Clubman Light was settled in favour of Wayne Ellis (Combined). Brian Sciberras (Combined) took all before him securing the National Light and Heavy classes.

Restricted class had Phillip Smith (Oakleigh) on top of the podium, while 2008 Australasian Kart Champion Chad Wissler (ELKC) added the Clubman Super Heavy Grand Prix title to his cap. Chris Sanderson cleared a good gap that closed rapidly toward the finish line to grab Clubman Heavy Over 50. In the closest finish of the day, Nugget Campbell and Tony Lean (Albury/Wodonga) sat side by side over the line, with Campbell taking victory in Rotax Super Heavy by half a kart length. Rochester racer Alan Stack finished the day as Leopard Heavy champ. 

over 40s GP
Above: Clubman Light
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

Victoria police representatives were in attendance promoting the Blue Ribbon Foundation. Gail Jenkins presented the Sportsman of the Meet award, in honour of her father Ray Denman, local Numurkah policeman, in favour of Alan Stack who was clocked at 103 kmh on the main straight in his Parilla Leopard 125.

The Over 40’s Grand Prix and Vintage Demonstration will be returning to the Numurkah Raceway in 2009 on October 30-31, November 1.

over 40s GP
Above: A mid-pack dice in clubman 40-49yrs.
pic - Michael Scott

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

NATIONAL LIGHT 
1ST          BRIAN SCIBERROS (COMBINED DISTRICTS) 
2ND          JOHN PAGE (BALLARAT) 
3RD          IAN SMITH (BALLARAT)  

CLUBMAN HEAVY 40-49      
1ST          PETER COCCA (GVKC)    
2ND          STEVE MEYLAND (ELKC)   
3RD          ADAM BOURKE (OAKLEIGH)

NATIONAL HEAVY                    
1ST          BRIAN SCIBERROS (COMBINED DISTRICTS)    
2ND          STEVE LOWERSON (GKCV)      
3RD          FRANK KESSELLS (GKCV)       

RESTRICTED 125   
1ST          PHILLIP SMITH (OAKLEIGH)
2ND          LES BALDI (GVKC)      
3RD          KEN GARDNER (GIPPSLAND)    

CLUBMAN 50+               
1ST          CHRIS SANDERSON (ELKC)  
2ND          JOHN PRINGLE (ELKC)  
3RD          GLEN CHADWICK (ELKC) 

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

LEOPARD HEAVY
1ST          ALAN STACK (ROCHESTER)
2ND          IAN ALLEN (NEWCASTLE)
3RD          GAVIN KENNEDY

ROTAX HEAVY
1ST          FRANK FALLA (GEELONG)
2ND          CAREY STAPLETON (GKCV)
3RD          TONY LEAN (ALBURY/WODONGA)

CLUBMAN LIGHT
1ST          WAYNE ELLIS (COMBINED DIST)
2ND          MARK APPLEBY (OAKLEIGH)
3RD          STEVE JACKA (COMBINED)

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

200 SUPER
1ST          JOHN ROLLINS (ALBURY/WOD)
2ND          CHRIS SANDERSON (ELKC)
3RD          GAVIN KENNEDY (WEST AUST)

CLUBMAN SUPER HEAVY
1ST          CHAD WISSLER (ELKC)
2ND          ROD CAPUANO (OAKLEIGH)
3RD          DAVID MURRAY (ELKC)

ROTAX SUPER HEAVY
1ST          NUGGETT CAMPBELL (GIPPSLAND)
2ND          TONY LEAN (ALBURY/WODONGA)
3RD          SEAN MORLING (GKCV)

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
pic - Michael Scott

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
Above: National Heavy, Steve Lowerson leads eventual title winner Brian Sciberras
pic - Michael Scott

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

over 40s GP
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

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