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Australasian Kart Titles

from Michael Scott

Last weekend the Goulburn Valley Kart Club celebrated 50 years of karting in the Goulburn Valley, hosting the 18th annual Australasian Kart Titles. Over 160 karters ventured onto the fast and furious Numurkah Raceway in an attempt to grab Red Plate glory. As has proven in the past, form going into the weekend is not a true indication of the results as karters met the chequered flag at the end of the gruelling 20 lap ‘final only counts’ title race.

Recent track repair works combined with frosty mornings made for treacherously slippery conditions, leaving many seasoned karters red faced on the side of the track. However, as the tyre rubber was laid down and a bit of heat generated in the surface, grip came to the karters and lap records started to tumble by as much as 1 second over a 25 second lap, which provided some incredible racing.

Although we have never seen the chequered flag waved on the first corner on the first lap of the 20 lap finals, the pressure was on in earnest from the green light, leaving a few karters with stories of what could have been had they met the chequered flag after 20 laps.

One of the highlights was the Clubman Heavy final. Red mist on the first corner saw three of the front runners, Jason Baird, Peter Cocca and Matthew Walker evicted on Empire Trade turn and Zeke Edwards relegated to dead last, 200m behind the leading pack. No-one can ever say there are no passing points on Numurkah Raceway as Edwards proceeded to pull back the pack with creative driving that held the crowd in awe. With 2 laps to run he slipped into the gap between third and fourth to hunt for a podium finish, but the leaders were not to be relegated. Mitchell Cuzens had already made the most of the 20 laps and had drawn away from Dylan Collett and Jeff Thom, who kept the leader honest right to the flag.

Local drivers had their share of the spoils. Peter Cocca put the Clubman Heavy disappointment behind him and bounced back in the Over 40 Clubman final. Sounding a clear warning to competitors in November’s Over 40 Grand Prix, Cocca set record laps in quick succession, leaving Ian Branson and Peter Jackman to fight amongst themselves.

Luigi Catanese used his local knowledge to head a quality field in Clubman Light, leading home Caddy and Cramer, while Dodman and Hayes spectated from the first corner. Catanese also made good in the Rotax Pro final ahead of James Reynolds and Joshua Willett.

The features on the card were the junior classes and they lived up to the billing. Midget Reece Sidebottom knows the Numurkah layout inside and out and set a cracking pace leaving behind Thomas Hughes and Michael Smith. James Hughes was unable to rescue a title for the Hughes family, following home Liam Morey, but holding off Bradley Jenner in Junior National Light. Morey also added the Junior Max title plate to his trophy cabinet, fending off Nicholas Ellen and Timothy Holowell.

In Junior National Heavy, Travis Kodric put an intense airborne moment in Junior Clubman behind him to take the title in front of Anton De Pasquale and Hayden Dodman. Junior Clubman was a prize fight as good as any on the day. With the lead changing almost as often as the lap counter ticked over, the result wasn’t decided until the racers were inside the last corner. Adrian Lazzaro, Bradley Weaire and Daniel Valentini can all be proud of their result. Rookies had Liam McLellan, Jordan Boys and Mitch Wilson sharing the podium.

Other results:
Parilla Leopard 125 Light

Reece KAWITZKI
Mitchell CUZENS
Ross JARRED

Formula Rotax 125 Over 35

Carey STAPLETON
Christopher MILTHORPE
Steve LOWERSON

Clubman Super Heavy

Craig ARNETT
Rhys BAXTER
Jason GIBSON

Restricted 125 Pro

Phillip SMITH
Michael SCHENA
GaryBEEL

Senior National Pro

Tyler CRAMER
Richard MUSCAT
Clancy PURDIE

While the young jets bask in Australasian Kart Title glory and go about attaching the red plate to their winning rides, eyes turn to the old bangers who will be stomping the Numurkah Raceway turf in November, seeking an Over 40 Grand Prix title.

The Vintage Kart fraternity will again return to display the magnificent men (and women) in their flying machines and celebrate past eras of Australian kart racing.

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	Australasian Kart Titles from Michael Scott Last weekend the Goulburn Valley Kart Club celebrated 50 years of karting in the Goulburn Valley, hosting the 18th annual Australasian Kart Titles. Over 160 karters ventured onto the fast and furious Numurkah Raceway in an attempt to grab Red Plate glory. As has proven in the past, form going into the weekend is not a true indication of the results as karters met the chequered flag at the end of the gruelling 20 lap ‘final only counts’ title race. Recent track repair works combined with frosty mornings made for treacherously slippery conditions, leaving many seasoned karters red faced on the side of the track. However, as the tyre rubber was laid down and a bit of heat generated in the surface, grip came to the karters and lap records started to tumble by as much as 1 second over a 25 second lap, which provided some incredible racing. Although we have never seen the chequered flag waved on the first corner on the first lap of the 20 lap finals, the pressure was on in earnest from the green light, leaving a few karters with stories of what could have been had they met the chequered flag after 20 laps. One of the highlights was the Clubman Heavy final. Red mist on the first corner saw three of the front runners, Jason Baird, Peter Cocca and Matthew Walker evicted on Empire Trade turn and Zeke Edwards relegated to dead last, 200m behind the leading pack. No-one can ever say there are no passing points on Numurkah Raceway as Edwards proceeded to pull back the pack with creative driving that held the crowd in awe. With 2 laps to run he slipped into the gap between third and fourth to hunt for a podium finish, but the leaders were not to be relegated. Mitchell Cuzens had already made the most of the 20 laps and had drawn away from Dylan Collett and Jeff Thom, who kept the leader honest right to the flag. Local drivers had their share of the spoils. Peter Cocca put the Clubman Heavy disappointment behind him and bounced back in the Over 40 Clubman final. Sounding a clear warning to competitors in November’s Over 40 Grand Prix, Cocca set record laps in quick succession, leaving Ian Branson and Peter Jackman to fight amongst themselves. Luigi Catanese used his local knowledge to head a quality field in Clubman Light, leading home Caddy and Cramer, while Dodman and Hayes spectated from the first corner. Catanese also made good in the Rotax Pro final ahead of James Reynolds and Joshua Willett. The features on the card were the junior classes and they lived up to the billing. Midget Reece Sidebottom knows the Numurkah layout inside and out and set a cracking pace leaving behind Thomas Hughes and Michael Smith. James Hughes was unable to rescue a title for the Hughes family, following home Liam Morey, but holding off Bradley Jenner in Junior National Light. Morey also added the Junior Max title plate to his trophy cabinet, fending off Nicholas Ellen and Timothy Holowell. In Junior National Heavy, Travis Kodric put an intense airborne moment in Junior Clubman behind him to take the title in front of Anton De Pasquale and Hayden Dodman. Junior Clubman was a prize fight as good as any on the day. With the lead changing almost as often as the lap counter ticked over, the result wasn’t decided until the racers were inside the last corner. Adrian Lazzaro, Bradley Weaire and Daniel Valentini can all be proud of their result. Rookies had Liam McLellan, Jordan Boys and Mitch Wilson sharing the podium. Other results: Parilla Leopard 125 Light Reece KAWITZKI Mitchell CUZENS Ross JARRED Formula Rotax 125 Over 35 Carey STAPLETON Christopher MILTHORPE Steve LOWERSON Clubman Super Heavy Craig ARNETT Rhys BAXTER Jason GIBSON Restricted 125 Pro Phillip SMITH Michael SCHENA GaryBEEL Senior National Pro Tyler CRAMER Richard MUSCAT Clancy PURDIE While the young jets bask in Australasian Kart Title glory and go about attaching the red plate to their winning rides, eyes turn to the old bangers who will be stomping the Numurkah Raceway turf in November, seeking an Over 40 Grand Prix title. The Vintage Kart fraternity will again return to display the magnificent men (and women) in their flying machines and celebrate past eras of Australian kart racing. Home
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