Saturday Report: Day Of Drama At Rotax Pro Tour
press release
Troy Woolston has set the pace in the opening day of the Rotax Pro Tour at Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit today, leading a clean sweep of the Rotax Heavy division, meantime, David Sera has shown his absolute class in a stacked Light field and the Pierce Lehane/Joseph Mawson junior rivalry has taken a step up in a day packed full of drama.
Woolston was superb in his second Rotax Heavy event, not looking like being headed despite the best efforts of Lee Mitchener and Paul Rodgers – the duo looking likely to take a challenge to Woolston. Another to watch in the longer races tomorrow is Brendan Nelson, who has steadily improved in his first race meeting for the Arrow factory.
The big story of the day was William Yarwood. The four times Australian Rotax champion was involved in a heat one incident which has resulted in a large gash appearing on his leg.
The Queenslander was taken to hospital for further treatment, not the ideal debut for the Exprit Kart ambassador, but thankfully the damage appears to be not too extensive.
In another incident involving a Queenslander and an Exprit, Sam Howard rode a wheel heading up the hill at Todd Road during a round two Rotax Light heat and was flung violently out of the kart. He was also transferred to hospital for precautionary x-rays.
Rotax Light attracted entries that exceeded the track limit, forcing organisers into a scenario where competitors were broken into four groups and two heats per round were conducted.
David Sera – having just returned from America – was his usual dominant best, but Todd Road was alight with the performance of recent Junior graduate – Jaymee Frampton.
The lady racer was consistently in the top three of her heats, whilst more seasoned Pro Tour racers were left scratching their heads trying to find pace for tomorrow’s Pre-Final. Bradley Jenner was impressive also, so too Joshua DeMaio and Adam Lindstrom aboard a DR Kart.
The Junior MAX Light category is priming for a classic battle tomorrow. World Junior MAX #3, Pierce Lehane will start the Pre-Final from pole, but he and rival, Joseph Mawson clashed today during the course of heat racing.
Whilst both continued, it drew the battle lines between the two New South Welshman for the remainder of the weekend. Liam Morey has been consistent throughout the heats after qualifying in position two, but the two McLellan brothers have provided arguably the highlight of the day.
The elder – Matthew – qualified well, but all eyes have been on younger brother, Liam, who has just moved into the Rotax division. The miniature McLellan had a shocking qualifying session, which placed him deep in the 30 kart pack. He got himself solidly into the top 10 in heats two and three and sets him up nicely for tomorrow. Michael Stewart was another to impress, despite a heat one crash.
Rotax DD2 is likely to go right to the wire. Whilst Kyle Ensbey has been fast out of the box, he has no shortage of competition. His main contender today, Jason Pringle, has compromised his starting position in the Pre-Final by virtue of a heat three DNF. In his first Australian DD2 performance, the Victorian has looked solid throughout. Australian representative, Damian Ward has taken a while to get a handle on his new Kosmic chassis, but won heat three, looking very comfortable.
The big incident in DD2 was a crash between Jackson Delamont and fellow Tony Kart pilot, Travis Millar in heat two. Delamont appeared to ride over the back of Millar in a fairly exuberant move, depositing the Stable Karting racer on his head.
Millar – despite qualifying on pole – has had an action packed afternoon, never far from the incidents that occurred in the three heats. Last start winner Brinley Gread, although qualifying well down the order will start the Pre-Final from fourth!
Rotax Super Heavy is shaping as a battle in three between Steven Lalas, Bruce Otter and Sean Reeves, the triumvirate enjoying spirited battles throughout the heat racing.
Meantime in Over 35s, Mick Robson won the opening heat – but mysteriously didn’t race for the remainder of the day. Danny Woodland picked up where he left off and is looking very solid, however Cameron Harch and John Bailey are keeping him honest.
Junior MAX Heavy has attracted some new competitors and a DNF by 2010 star – Dale Corbett – has opened the door for the likes of Joshua Crossingham and Top Gun Racing’s Mitchell Kennedy to do something special tomorrow.
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