Hays, Lehane & Fothergill Show The Way In Newcastle

press release

Rising Gold Coast star Chris Hays, Sydney’s Pierce Lehane and Gladstone’s Cian Fothergill have shown the way on qualifying day at round one of the 2010 CIK Stars of Karting Series in Newcastle today.

Hays, 15, was a shining light in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category to out-qualify his more fancied rivals and earn the right to start on pole position for the heat races aboard his Vodafone-backed Tony Kart.

cik newcastle
Above: Chris Hays was nothing short of impressive aboard his Vodafone-backed Tony Kart during today's qualifying day at Newcastle
pic: photowagon.com.au

The youngster dominated the opening two 15-lap heat races before finishing second to his JT Team Pacific team-mate Matthew Wall, who failed to finish the opening race after a coming together with James Kovacic, in the third encounter.

“It has been a fantastic day and I’m really enjoying racing the gearbox category,” said Hays.

“Having Matt as a team-mate is a huge bonus and we’re both working very well together.

“Tyre wear will be important during tomorrow’s two finals but after today’s performance I’m confident of being able to be right up there again.”

Behind the leading duo, the racing in the six-speed gearbox category was intense with competitors exchanging positions on a regular occurrence.

Even more dominant than Hays was the performance of 14 year-old Sydneysider Pierce Lehane during the return of the Pro Junior (KF3) category. Tony Kart pilot James Macken (Gold Coast, QLD) secured a front row start courtesy of posting the second fastest time in the top five shootout.


Above: Pierce Lehane leading the Pro Junior (KF3) into the opening turn during heat one
pic: photowagon.com.au

Lehane was simply outstanding during all three heats races to cross the finish line well clear of his opposition.

“I’ve been doing a fair bit of training over the past few months and I feel great after today’s races,” said Lehane.

The battle for the minor places was impressive between Birel driver Brock Plumb (Forest Lake, QLD), Macken and Kosmic pilot Jonathan Venter (Beecroft, NSW).

After sneaking into the top five shootout courtesy of his final flying lap in qualifying, defending champion Hayden McBride used the two-lap dash to move from fifth to first on the grid for the heat races.

McBride took out the opening heat in comfortable fashion while Fothergill and his Tracksa team-mate John Grother battled for the minor positions.


Above: Defending Champion Hayden McBride pushing hard during today's action
pic: photowagon.com.au

Fothergill turned the tables on McBride by showing superior speed across the final two races and will start on pole position for tomorrow’s opening final of the 2010 series.

“With all of the rain we’ve had in Queensland lately I haven’t been able to do any real testing, so to come out and win two heats is very encouraging,” said Fothergill.

“We’ll be making a couple of changes to my Kosmic kart tonight to hopefully get a little but of extra speed out of it for tomorrow’s finals.”


Above: Gladstone driver Cian Fothergill made the defending champion work hard at Newcastle
pic: photowagon.com.au

In the Development categories Daniel Baker and Matthew Waters shared the honours in Clubman while Breanna Woodland is proving to be the pace setter in Junior National.

Tomorrow’s action will consist of a pair of finals for each category being contested around the Newcastle Kart Circuit, located on Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park.

The full results can be found by clicking here


Above: Matt Wall in Pro Gearbox
pic: photowagon.com.au

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