Heartbreak To Happiness For Holmes-Karavas

AKA press release

Second-generation South Australian karter Nicholas Holmes-Karavas turned heartache into happiness in the South Australian Karting Championships at Whyalla over the weekend.

The Magill (Adelaide, SA) driver was the fastest qualifier and won both heat races before disaster struck for the 21 year-old when he suffered an electrical failure on the opening lap in the pre-final. As a consequence he was forced to start from the back of the field in this afternoon’s championship final.

Above: Nicholas Holmes-Karavas takes the Clubman Light win after a drive from the back of the field
pic - Ash Budd

Driven by the desire to claim a state championship on the circuit that his father, John – a South Australian karting icon, developed his craft on, Holmes-Karavas was on a mission during the early laps of the 21-lap Championship Final.

By mid race Holmes-Karavas had manoeuvred his way into third sport behind race leader Jason Burns, who is a three-time Australian Champion, and fellow Adelaide driver Tyson Pearce.

Such was the pace shown by Holmes-Karavas he moved past Pearce into the runner-up spot before setting his sights on the race leader. With seven laps to go, he made a successful pass for the lead before going on to claim an emotional victory.

“When I crossed the line it was a huge relief, it felt as though I had completed erased the disappointment of not finishing the pre-final and having to start from the back of the field in the final,” said Holmes-Karavas.

“To have won a state championship on a track that means so much to my Dad and my family is very special.

“Over the last few laps of the final I was listening to every engine noise and I know that Jason (Burns) wouldn’t have given up, so I really had to push until the end.”

Whyalla-born Scott Simpson put in a near faultless display in the final of the Clubman Super Heavy category to claim the victory.

Above: Scott Simpson prepares for the race.
pic - Ash Budd

The current National Champion had to start from the rear of the grid in the pre-final after being forced to use a replacement tyre. Simpson accepted the challenge of coming through the field to finish second in the pre-final before proving too good in the championship final.

New South Wales driver Joseph Mawson has ensured his transition into the Junior ranks is a successful one by claiming a pair of victories at this weekend’s championships.

Above: Joseph Mawson leads current National Champ Garry Jacobson in JNH. The NSW driver won both Junior National classes
pic - Ash Budd

Mawson steered his Australian-made Arrow kart to the front of the field in both the Junior National Light and Heavy categories. In the Light category he got the better of a race long battle with Mildura’s Cameron Waters and in the Heavy division he held on for a narrow victory over Jarrod Egan.

Toowoomba driver Brendan Nelson added another state championship to his ever-growing resume by taking the win in the Clubman Heavy category ahead of Adelaide driver Darren Clee.

New South Wales driver Cameron Hill was undefeated across the weekend to win the Rookies championship.

CRG driver Jedd Stojakovic proved superior in the Leopard Light category to take the victory ahead of fellow Adelaide driver Jesse Batson. Nicholas Holmes-Karavas secured his second podium finish of the weekend by finishing third.

Above: Jedd Stojakovic after earning the blue plate
pic - Ash Budd

Bendigo driver Jarrod Egan inflicted a rare defeat on Goulburn Valley’s Garry Jacobson in the Junior Clubman category. Jaie Robson finished third ahead of Mildura’s Cameron Waters.

Above: A maiden state championship for Jarrod Egan after winning Junior Clubman
pic - Ash Budd

2008 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Whyalla, South Australia

JUNIOR CLUBMAN
1. #62 Jarrod Egan
2. #55 Garry Jacobson
3. #5 Jaie Robson
4. #2 Cameron Waters
5. #28 Joseph Linscott
Race Notes:
Arrow pilot Garry Jacobson got the jump at the start and opened a hand buffer over Monaco driver Jaie Robson in second place. Jarrod Egan moved into second place on lap five before Jacobson slowed suddenly two laps later in the back straight allowing Egan to take over the front running. As Jacobson continued to struggle with a fuel surge it allowed Egan to open a handy buffer. Egan took the victory ahead of Jacobson, who almost came to a stop as he crossed the line. Robson finished third.

Above: Junior Clubman form up
pic - Ash Budd

LEOPARD LIGHT
1. #30 Jedd Stojakovic
2. #51 Jesse Batson
3. #9 Nicholas Karavas
4. #2 Brendan Nelson
5. #26 Leigh Harrison
Race Notes:
CRG driver Jedd Stojakovic took full advantage of his pole position to lead the early laps ahead of Nicholas Karavas and Brendan Nelson. After failing to finish the pre-final Jesse Batson was on the charge from the back of the field to be in fourth spot within five laps. Batson moved past Nelson for third place mid-way through the race before making a lunge under brakes to pass Karavas for second a few laps later. Stojakovic crossed the line over three-seconds clear of Batson. Karavas finished third.

ROOKIES
1. #99 Cameron Hill
2. #5 James Hughes
3. #55 Damon Strongman
4. #16 Michael Potter
5. #10 Aiden James
Race Notes:
An opening corner incident brought out the red flag and eliminated a number of competitors, including local driver Joshua Angus (who started from fourth spot). On the restart Cameron Hill powered his way off into the distance in his Top Kart. Behind him a four-way battle for the minor positions began between Cameron Reynolds, James Hughes, Michael Potter and Damon Strongman. As Hill was crossing the line for victory, Reynolds spun in the final corner. Hughes finished second ahead of Strongman and Potter.

CLUBMAN HEAVY
1. #70 Brendan Nelson
2. #76 Darren Clee
3. #98 Michael Cross
4. #23 Danny Errigo
5. #3 Mick Robson
Race Notes:
Toowoomba Tony Kart driver Brendan Nelson got the lead on lap two of the final and was never seriously challenged for the remainder of the race. South Australian Darren Clee shadowed Michael Cross for the entire race before making a pass for the runner-up spot with two laps remaining.

SENIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
1. #48 Ben Stewart
2. #69 Blake Sciberras
3. #44 Dominic Lostitch
4. #71 David Kermond
5. #30 Jedd Stojakovic
Race Notes:
Queenslander Ben Stewart and Blake Sciberras worked together during the opening half of the race at the front of the field. Despite Sciberras appearing to have superior pace mid way through the race, Stewart proved too good and held for the victory. Dominic Lostitch finished third.

JUNIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
1. #88 Joseph Mawson
2. #62 Jarrod Egan
3. #14 Macauley Jones
4. #1 Garry Jacobson
5. #76 Ben Jurczak
Race Notes:
Arrow drivers Joseph Mawson and Jarrod Egan raced nose-to-tail at the front of the field in the top two spots. Macauley Jones and Garry Jacobson were charging from the back of the field after failing to finish the pre-final. With six laps remaining Jones had moved his way up to third spot and Jacobson sixth. Mawson crossed the line three kart-lengths clear of Egan to claim his second win of the championships.

CLUBMAN SUPER HEAVY
1. #1 Scott Simpson
2. #4 Ben McKinlay
3. #19 Craig Denton
4. #96 Ben Vardon
5. #90 Nick Scudds
Race Notes:
Local driver Nick Scudds took advantage of his pole position to lead the opening lap before Scott Simpson, who started from the back of the grid in the pre-final due to being forced to change a tyre, took over the lead on lap two. South Australian Ben Vardon was looking strong in second place but Ben McKinlay dropped him back a spot mid race. Craig Denton made a pass for the final podium spot with two laps remaining. Simpson claimed a convincing victory ahead of McKinlay and Denton, who was closely followed by Vardon and Scudds.

LEOPARD HEAVY
1. #2 Nathan Mills
2. #9 Rowan Booth
3. #17 Keke Falland
4. #99 Matt Hall
5. #73 Blake Mooney
Race Notes:
South Australian Rowan Booth got the jump at the start but it wasn’t long before Top Kart driver Nathan Mills showed superior pace to take over the front running. Mills was never seriously challenged on his way to victory. Booth claimed second spot, well clear of Keke Falland in third place.

Above: Nathan Mills
pic - Ash Budd

CLUBMAN LIGHT
1. #9 Nicholas Holmes-Karavas
2. #31 Jason Burns
3. #13 Tyson Pearce
4. #54 Brett Mullavey
5. #11 Matthew Panella
Race Notes:
RedSpeed driver Jason Burns got the jump at the start as Tyson Pearce and Ben Stewart came together in turn two forcing Stewart to run off track aboard his Pacific Kartsport Arrow. After not finishing the pre-final Nicholas Homes-Karavas, who was the fastest qualifier, had made some good early moves to be in fourth spot by mid race. As the race continued Pearce closed in on Burns in his Omega kart before he was passed by Holmes-Karavas on lap 10. Holmes-Karavas took over the front running with seven laps to go. The JK Tuning pilot showed superior speed to cross the line five kart-lengths clear of Burns.

Above: Tyson Pearce
pic - Ash Budd

JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
1. #88 Joseph Mawson
2. #11 Cameron Waters
3. #95 Adrian Lazzaro
4. #94 Bradley Jenner
5. #14 Todd Hazelwood
Race Notes:
Canberra driver Warren White stopped on the back straight during the form-up laps and was a non-stater. Mildura Monaco driver Cameron Waters and recent graduate to the junior ranks, Joseph Mawson, swapped the lead on no less than four occasions during the opening two laps. James Foster was looking strong inside the top three until he was eliminated on lap four leaving Waters and Mawson to battle for the win. Mawson claimed the win by the narrowest of margins ahead of Waters. Lazzaro crossed the line third.

CLUBMAN OVER 40’s
1. #58 Stephen Blee
2. #79 Simon Layne
3. #66 Peter Wallace
4. #22 David Brewer
5. #47 Keith Bartlett
Race Notes:
Long-time South Australian karter Stephen Blee headed a three kart freight train during the early running at the front of the field. Blee was shadowed by Simon Layne and Peter Wallace. Blee slowly edged his way away from Layne to take the victory, Layne finished second well clear of Wallace.

MIDGETS
1. #8 Jordan Boys
2. #90 Reece Sidebottom
3. #89 Jake Dixon
4. #6 Jake Klein
5. #12 Tyler Morrison
Race Notes:
New South Wales driver Jordan Boys got the jump from the outside of the front row but within two laps second-generation Adelaide racer Rhys Wooley regained the ascendency at the front of the field. Within two laps Wooley had opened an eight kart-length lead over a three-way battle for third place between Boys, Jake Klein and Reece Sidebottom. A mid race incident between Sidebottom and Klein dropped the latter down the order. After failing to finish both heat races and the Pre-Final, Chase Wooley, the younger of the brothers, was the big mover of the race and with four laps to go had charged his way into second spot. Chase Wooley crossed the line well clear of his younger sibling with Boys getting the better of a battle with Sidebottom to cross the line in third spot.

*Both Wooley entries were later excluded for a technical infringement following a post-race inspection handing Boys the Title.

Pre-final results on AKA website HERE.

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