Nelson Hot-n-Cold At Supercheap Round

press release

Last weekend Doyle's Racing Kartsport (DRK) travelled to Gladstone in Central Queensland to compete in Round 2 of the inaugural 2009 Supercheap Auto Kart Series.

Leopard Light – Brendan Nelson – Kosmic # 70
Although driving from 8th on the Leopard Light Grid in Race 1 to finish 3rd and also setting the quickest lap of the race along the way, DRK driver, 17yo Brendan Nelson struggled in Races 2 and 3 respectively with fuel blockage and dirty spark problems.  The Team couldn't have foreseen the gremlins and this unfortunately chalked up two DNF's.

Pro Clubman Light – Brendan Nelson - * New Kosmic Kart # 70
Brendan's Pro Clubman Light entry would however prove to be much more productive affair.  As Pole Sitter from the previous Round at Ipswich, Brendan drove a determined race in the first 15 Klm race, but was gathered up in Turn 2 in the first few laps by Cian Fothergill and Ben Stewart and although he challenged them throughout the 21 laps, followed them home in 3rd place. 

Above: Brendan Nelson (#70) chasing Ben Stewart (#48) in Pro Clubman Light racing at Gladstone. Cian Fothergill (#20) and Clint Marcon (#18)
pic - Doyle’s Racing Kartsport

In Race 2 Nelson rushed to the front of the field from Grid 3, but midway through the race suffered a failing spark plug cap/lead and had to retire.  Fellow competitor, Clinton Marcon suffered the same frustrating issue.  Under the Supercheap Auto Kart Series format this meant that Brendan would then have to start from the rear of the field in position 18 for Race 3.  Determined to avenge his earlier disappointments in the day, Nelson had his race face on and drove from the back of the pack to win, closely followed home by Sunshine Coast driver Shay Mayes.

Pro Junior National – Mitchell Gee – Tony Kart # 13
11yo DRK Pro Junior National driver, Mitchell Gee took it up to his fellow 16yo competitors on the weekend.  Mitchell was part of what was to be a 7 kart leading pack that would dominate the Pro Junior National class in all 3 Races.  This freight train of drivers would swap and change positions on everyone of the 21 laps, proving to be the most spectacular racing division of the weekend.  Mitchell finished 6th in Race 1, 6th in Race 2 and 7th in Race 3.  This is a tremendous result in only his first 6 months of racing in the junior classes. 

"We believe that Mitchell has a very bright future in the junior classes in the next few years, as the older drivers move up", said DRK Team Manager, Craig Doyle.  "It's a pleasure to watch young people like Mitchell and the many others here this weekend, continue to develop and improve.  It's the lifeblood and real satisfaction of our sport."

Above: Mitchell Gee (#13) in the thick of the Pro Junior National action.
pic - Doyle’s Racing Kartsport

Round 3 of the Series next travels to Bundaberg on July 25 / 26, after the Queensland State Open Championships in Gympie next week.

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