Mt Gambier's Junior Showdown '6'
press release
Junior karters from 3 States converged on the Blue Lake City late October to compete in the 6th Annual Junior Showdown conducted by the Mt Gambier Karting Club.
Six classes were contested throughout the 2-day event, which was once again hailed as an outright success by organisers. Even though varied weather conditions were experienced the competition was happy relaxed country environment.
Above: Newly crowned British Formula Ford champion Scott Pye returned to where it all started, here with many of the kids that competed in the sixth edition of the annual Junior Showdown.
The event started with 6 classes taking part in 2 x 4 minute time trial sessions to determine starting positions. 4 heats were run to determine starting positions for the ‘winner takes all’ final with Jake Klien from Victoria and Todd Hazelwood from Sth Australia both taking double victories in their respective classes.
South Australia’s Todd Hazelwood was the fastest Qualifier in the Junior National Heavy Class continuing his form by winning all 4 heats to take out first place from fellow S.A. Jake Spokes. The follow 3 places went to Mt Gambier’s Jacob Witherow was unlucky at the start of the final but battled his way through the field to claim 3rd. Mt Gambier’s Sam Baker 4th and Ryan Broome crossing the line in 5th place.
After qualifying sessions Kyle Rethus representing Cobden’s South West Kart Club qualified fastest overall but was unable to draw on this success in the final of the Junior Clubman Class. Todd Hazelwood took an easy win from Simon Hodge relegating Rethus to 3rd place. Jacob Witherow driving in his 2nd class for the weekend took out 4th place from Mt Gambier’s top female competitor Stephanie Munn.
Above: Todd Hazelwood in his A1 engined Arrow made a clean sweep of JNH.
Winner of the Junior National Pro Class was Jake Klien from Victoria followed by Jake Dixon who qualified fastest in this class. Sam Baker from the hosting club took out 3rd with another Victorian Mitch Wilson crossing the line 4th just ahead of Mitchell Broome from Mt Gambier.
Kirby Hillyer local knowledge led him across the line in the Midget Class ahead of fastest qualifier Jack Nolan. 3rd position went to Jordan Pike from NSW with Jordan Pianezzola from the Southern Kart Club came in 4th. Brayden Souter whom hails from the Wimmera Region took out 5th place.
Above: Multiple Jnr National winner Jake Klien
Jake Klein drove another great race in his second class for the weekend to take out first place in the Junior National Light from fellow Victorians Mitch Wilson and Jake Dixon. Luke Marquis and Scott Matheson from Adelaide took home minor placings of 4th & 5th. Fastest Qualifier Jake Spokes unfortunately was unable to compete in the final due to mechanical problems.
Out of 18 entrants local driver Morgan Feast was the Fastest Qualifier in the Rookie Class. Jaydn Job drove outstanding all weekend to take 1st place. Feast claimed 2nd place with Adelaide’s Dylan Howell 3rd, Thomas Prascevic from Cobden 4th and in 5th place was local youngster Joshua Munn.
Trophies and Prizes we presented in each class down to 5th place. Midgets were all presented with a participation medallion and first D Grade Driver across the line in the Midget Class was Acacia Owen from the Warrnambool Kart Club.
Above: Rookie winner Jaiden Job
Scott Pye returned to his home town of Mt Gambier after taking out the British Formula Ford Championship and attended the Showdown where he presented trophies to the top 5 Rookie drivers. Pye's earlier years of competition were spent at the Mt Gambier circuit.
Thank you to those who travel to compete and congratulations to all young drivers for their sportsmanship and high quality of competition throughout the weekend helping to make this year’s event an outright success.
Above: Todd Hazelwood
Above: Jake Klien
Above: Midget winner Kirby Hillyer
Above: Sam Baker tunes his 'J on the run.
Above: Junior National Pro - 25 Mitchell Broome, 5 Ryan Broome (Brother of Mitch), 16 Scott Matheson, 55 Jessica Griffiths, 80 Conor Williams.
Above: Midgets stack 'em up - 88 Kirby Hillyer, 4 Jordan Pike, 54 Jordan Pianezzola, 93 Brayden Souter, 18 Trent Job.
Above: Rookies - 36 Morgan Feast, 98 Dylan Howell, 7 Andrew Gameau, 25 Jackson Freer.
Above: Junior National Light -
89 Jake Dixon, 6 Jake Klein, 45 Mitch Wilson, 88 Jake Spokes, 18 Jayden Sharrad, 34 Luke Marquis.
