Italian Wins Kalgoorlie KZ2 Dash for Cash
Italian pro Roberto Toninelli bounced back from dramas at Horsepower Heaven to win the Rollasole Invitational Dash for Cash for KZ2 at Kalgoorlie recently.
Above: Roberto Toninelli dominated the KZ2 final in Kalgoorlie and vows to be back next year.
It was arguably the strongest field assembled in WA since the 1999 National championships at the same circuit. In addition to the Italian, the grid of 19 boasted top locals plus several of the leading contenders from the CIK series.
Speedcafe.com.au reports that Toninelli is keen to return and defend his title next year (see HERE)
The results of three heats (ballot grids for the first 2, best points to the front for the 3rd) decided the starting position for the “$500 Super Pole”. Karts were released one at a time for a 1 lap flyer to produce a time for the all important winner-takes-all 30 lap final under lights.
Heat 1
Was won by Daniel Currey WA’s state champion aboard his Patrizicorse Intrepid TM (Patrizicorse’s debut with intrepid chassis) followed by fellow WA competitor BD Sauter-Dawson. Kyle Ensby was looking racey to finish 3rd and Roberto Tonninelli, after starting 19th, came through to 4th after an incredible start.
Heat 2
On his return to karting, Michael Patrizi lined up alongside former Euro champion Toninelli on the front row. Toninelli blew his engine early in the race, allowing Patrizi to lead. However it was DR Kart driver Jordie Lindstrom who came through to take the win over Justin Ruggier and Ensby in third place once again.
Above: Daniel Currey put in a strong performance with the Patrizicorse team.
Heat 3
Toninelli grabbed his first win on Australian soil. Ensby was again strong, taking the challenge to Roberto until the last lap where he slipped to 5th. And why the slip? Ensby was caught out by oil on the track dropped by Toninelli who blew his engine on the final tour but still coasted over the line to win! Currey was second ahead of Hayden Patrizi and elder brother Michael, Ensby, Ruggier and Max de Meyrick.
“The $500 Super Pole”
The tension built as the KZ2 karts waited in single file to show what they could do over one lap. Paul Williams was another making a return to karting and took the early lead with a 46.6 only to be upstaged immediately by first timer and Esperance young gun Joel Hodges on 45.9. V8 supercar regular Michael Patrizi immediately lowered the time to 45.2 and held P1 until Toninelli flew around the circuit in a lap that looked like perfection, clocking a time of 44.6, some 6 tenths faster than Patrizi.
Top 10:
Roberto Toninelli
Michael Patrizi
Max de Meyrick
BD Sauter-Dawson
Jordie Lindstrom
Daniel Currey
Justin Ruggier
Hayden Patrizi
Jason Youd
Luke Lang
$9000 Rollasole Invitational
The race was done and dusted from the start,Toninelli taking an early lead and was never headed, winning by 14 seconds ahead of Currey over the 30 lap journey.
However, the battle for third was on for the last 20 laps, Michael Patrizi coming out on top over Hayden. Ensbey had put in a super drive from grid 19 (after failing to start in the Super Pole) but contact with Michael Patrizi (who dropped a gear) sent Kyle high in the air and into the famous Kalgoorlie Red Dust.
Michael held onto his 3rd place followed closely by Hayden P and Ruggier - who was later DQ’d for losing his transponder during the race.
Despite having pace, Jordie Lindstrom’s chances were ruined with a mechanical problem. Max de Meyrick DNF’d on the 2nd corner of the first lap after contact with numerous karts.
1 Roberto Toninelli (Lenzo/LKE) -$5000
2 Daniel Currey (Intrepid/TM) - $2000
3 Michael Patrizi (Intrepid/TM)- $1000
4 Hayden Patrizi (Intrepid/TM) - $500
5 Luke Lang
6 Jason Pringle
Super Pole Toninelli $500
Above: Cheques all round on the podium!
2 sets of MG Yellow tyres went to Toninelli for the win and Joel Hodge was awarded the encouragement award of Most Improved, after placing a lap in super pole only half a tenth off that of Jason Pringle.
Co Race Organisers Michael Patrizi and Peter Allen from the EGKC could not have been happier with the turn out for the KZ2 class in Kalgoorlie.
“I might be biased because I am from WA and Kalgoorlie was where my career began, but that was simply awesome!” Michael Patrizi said. “We have to say thanks all the committee and sponsors of the Kalgoorlie Dash for Cash KZ2 Rollasole Invitational. To be honest with you, WA has not seen a better Kart race meeting then this.”
“I have to thank the eastern state guys for coming across. It was huge for them to do it and I know they will be coming back next year. And also a very big thank you to the Lenzo Team for coming all the way from Italy.
“I have a vision to make this our own Supernats and we are already planning 2011. The Lenzo team has already confirmed to bring two factory drivers next year and we have more then 12 eastern state drivers already saying ‘bring it on’. We should have a field close to 30 of Australia’s best.”
“Also, a massive thank you to Remo Racing for the supply of MG Yellow tyres; they were a big hit with the drivers. “
