Beetham Brothers Double Podium At Gladiators Round 3

press release

Last weekend, Doyle's Racing Kartsport (DRK) also travelled to Lismore in Northern New South Wales to compete in Round 3 of the 2009 Clubman Gladiators Inter Club Challenge.

Clubman Heavy – Robbie Beetham – CRG # 30
In tough wet conditions at Lismore’s Showground Raceway, DRK’s Robbie Beetham put his CRG on pole in Sunday morning’s qualifying with a 46.754 second lap around the 0.720 Klm circuit, some 0.439 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor Rodger Korzeniewski.  In Heat 1 later in the morning, Robbie overcooked Thompsons Corner in the wet and spun out of the race on lap 2.  He had to be content with watching from the sidelines as Korzeniewski went on to take a convincing win.


Above: DRK Clubman Heavy driver, Robbie Beetham (#30) making his way to In-Grid
pic - Russell Jenkins, www.rustycamera.smugmug.com

The tables were to be reversed in Heat 2 as Korzeniewski spun off and Beetham powered home more than 16.863 seconds ahead of second place runner Tony Kart driver, Klinton Hancey.  Heat 3 would prove to be a full on Beetham / Korzeniewski tussle as they fought throughout 12 laps with each other.  Beetham would emerge the victor however by 1.103 seconds in the closing stages.

With a “Final only counts” point system in this year’s Gladiator ICC, it was going to be important to get a quick get away from the start, but also to have a good balance on the throttle in the wet conditions.  Korzeniewski, Hancey and Beetham were always going to be the contenders, but after an off in lap 8 by Korzeniewski, this would leave it to Beetham and Hancey to bring it home.  Beetham being victorious on this occasion, winning the Round and solidifying his points lead of the overall Series on 70 points.  

Clubman Over 40’s – Trevor Beetham – CRG # 12
In Clubman Over 40’s Trevor put his Actron Air supported DRK entry on P2 during the 4 minute qualifying session, with a 47.402 second lap.  In Heat 1 a spin on lap 9 in wet conditions whilst in 2nd would end his race early.  Looking to avenge in Heat 2, Beetham drove a convincing race to bring the # 12 CRG home in second behind Nigel Ward.  Heat 3 unfortunately would see another DNF early in the race for Beetham.


Above: DRK Clubman Over 40’s competitor, Trevor Beetham (#12) on track
Cooper's Photography

With the outright Round win and Series points resting on the Final, Trevor was keen to stay focused in the wet conditions.  One by one his competitors struggled and fell by the way.  Trevor drove a masterful race to cross the line unscathed and take the win.  This would mean that he also won the Lismore Round, and the resulting points boost bringing him up to 3rd outright in Clubman Over 40’s for the Series.

"Having been the principal sponsor of the Gladiator Series last year, it was important to us to continue being part of the 2009 Series through our Harrington Doyle supported entries", said DRK Team Manager, Craig Doyle.  "It's great to see our drivers Robbie Beetham leading the Clubman Heavy 2009 Series and Trevor Beetham up to 3rd in Clubman over 40’s.  Rodger Korzeniewski who’ll also be part of DRK for next week’s Qld State Open is doing well in Clubman Heavy.  Currently Rodger is sitting in 4th on the Gladiators Series Points table and will join Robbie, Brendan Nelson and James Greenwood in our 4 man Clubman Heavy team at the States."

Gladiators ICC Round 4 next travels to Toowoomba on July 19, after the Queensland State Open Championships in Gympie next week.

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