Locals Looking Good For Cracking Canberra Rotax Pro Tour

press release

Cracking racing has characterised day one (Friday) of Rotax Pro Tour II in Canberra today under clear skies, with local hope, Bruce Otter dominating proceedings in Rotax Over 35s.

After qualifying on pole, Otter is looking solid in front, however another local hope, Robert Amess has been impressive – so too Central Coast (NSW) charger, Luke Wall. Andre Morse and John Bailey are another pair that could be there to pick up the pieces should bad luck befall the front runners.

Rotax Heavy has been nothing short of scintillating. Double National Champion, William Yarwood leads the way, however there are a number of suitors chasing him down, led by local hope Jay Waugh. Waugh qualified alongside Yarwood, however has been unlucky not to be on racing terms with the Queenslander.

The men most likely to challenge Yarwood have been CRG’s Simon Meyer – who pulled off some brave moves this afternoon – and Victorian Arrow pilot, Aaron Rintoul. The two have been toe to toe all day long and it sets up for an interesting pre-final and final tomorrow. Brock Green is another one to keep an eye on – he’s been challenging the main pack all day and could spring a surprise.

The biggest DD2 field in Australia hasn’t disappointed. Kyle Ensbey in his Kaos Karting machine has been the class, however Pacific Kartsport pilot, Damian Ward, his team-mate Matthew Harris and Kart One’s David Whitmore have been right on the money. Usual leading light, Brinley Gread has had difficulty with second gear remaining in gear, which has hampered his progress. Front-row qualifier, Max Johnston, in
his return to the seat of his Tony Kart after racing a Sprintcar for several weeks has had difficulty in re-adjusting to the change.

Rotax Light is incredibly tight, with Tyler Greenbury and Josh DeMaio resuming their rivalry from Pro Tour I at Geelong. DeMaio qualified on pole but Greenbury is really putting him to the sword. Sydney-sider David Whitmore is right in there and boxing too. The big surprise has been former Junior front-runner, Jaie Robson, who has consistently been in the top four all day long.

Local hope Geoff Connell qualified on the front row alongside DeMaio, but hasn’t been able to convert that to race pace. Another local, Paul Hamilton has found significant pace this afternoon and a battle with Intrepid racer, Chris Pratt (which turned messy with Hamilton lightly tagging Pratt late in the race) saw him lapping quicker than the leaders.

Formula JMA is looking like it could go right down to the wire. Despite qualifying on pole, Pierce Lehane has had a couple of issues throughout the day and will start from just outside the top five in the pre-final. Newly crowned double national champion, Joey Mawson is asserting his new found confidence – another to do the same is the recently crowned New Zealand KF3 Champion – Jackson Delamont. Some action early in heat two saw him shuffled about, but this is by far one of his best performances on home soil.

JMAX Heavy is proving to be exciting also. Local, Ben Cooper has been at the front of the pack, but with no shortage of competitors willing to chop him down. Dale Corbett and Liam Heaton were both super-impressive throughout the day. The three of them would prove to be the class of the field, with Tony Kart pilot, Alex Griffiths throwing his hat into the ring after a heat three win. Pro Tour I winner, Jaymee Frampton has been in the leading pack, too, and after her performance in Geelong, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her there as the laps wind down tomorrow.

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