Two Titles For CRG At Rotax Nationals
press release
The CRG Australian Racing Team put in a strong performance with four drivers on the podium including taking two victories from just seven classes over the weekend at the 11th running of the Rotax Nationals hosted by the Geelong Kart Club in Victoria.
The event played host to 160 competitors with rain testing out drivers on Sunday morning during the pre-finals however come finals time the sun was once again shining as were the CRG drivers with both Jason Pringle and Mick Robson taking dominant wins in their respective classes.
Above: Jason Pringle claimed the inaugural Australian DD2 Championship and booked his spot in the 2011 Rotax World Final.
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
For Jason Pringle his victory in the two-speed DD2 class came in style with a green to chequered display in the pre-final before also leading all bar the opening lap throughout the 30-lap championship decider.
“I have to say my CRG kart suited the track perfectly all weekend it was fast in the dry on Saturday, good in the wet on Sunday morning and then unbelievable again in the dry for the final,” said Pringle.
“Not having really tested it in the wet I planned to just keep it straight in the wet pre-final but it proved to be just as consistent as it was in the dry.”
“It feels great to take out the DD2 title and I can’t thank the CRG guys enough not to mention everyone for putting on a great event.”
After suffering some mechanical issues during the heats, defending Rotax Over 35’s title holder Mick Robson charged through the field from his P19 starting spot in the wet final to cross the line in second handing himself a front row start for the final.
From there Robson made it look easy jumping to the lead at the start and was never headed from there taking a convincing eight-second win.
Above: CRG's Mick Robson stormed from 19th to 2nd in the Over35 PreFinal
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
“It’s always an honour to win at the Rotax Nationals as it is the pinnacle event for this class and of course it feels even better to back up my victory from last year,” said Robson.
“I have to say a huge thanks to Chris Dell, Darren King, Ken Shroder and all of the rest of the guys from CRG plus my son for all his help.”
Current Australian CIK Stars of Karting KF3 Champion Pierce Lehane earned himself the right to represent Australia at the upcoming World Rotax Finals with a fine third place in Junior MAX Light.
Above: After finishing 3rd in 2010, Pierce Lehane will again contest the Rotax World Final later this year courtesy of his Rotax Ranking points.
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
Lehane crossed the line fourth in the pre-final before running up in second for most of the final even looking like challenging for the lead at one stage before dropping to third late in the race after a great battle.
“After qualifying down in 11th, I’m pretty happy to finish on the podium in third, it’s still a good result in a quality field like this,” said Lehane.
“The CRG kart was excellent today, it handled the conditions perfectly and in the end we weren’t far off the win.”
“Aside from chasing the win our main aim was to collect enough points to qualify for the World Final in Abu Dhabi and we were able to do that which is great so now I’m really looking forward to taking on the world’s best Rotax drivers.”
Also taking third for the CRG Team was Rick Pringle in Rotax Heavy making it a weekend to celebrate for the Pringle family.
Above: Pringle Podium Double - Rick Pringle (left) finishing Third in Rotax Heavy, whilst older brother Jason (Right) won DD2.
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
Nearly replicating Lehane’s run, Pringle also had a slightly slow start to qualifying but improved as the weekend went to also cross the line fourth in the pre-final before also losing second spot late in the final to claim third after a great tussle.
“I have to say I’m pretty happy, I was second for most of the race, my kart was perfect, we just missed the tune a little with the engine but I’m still rapt with third,” explained Pringle.
The CRG Australian Racing Team will now focus their attentions on the final round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series where they currently Pierce Lehane (Pro Junior KF3), Kel Treseder (Pro Gearbox KZ2) and Lydon Dodge (Clubman Challenge) all leading the championship in their respective classes. The iconic marque is also heading the points in the battle for the TransWest Manufacturers Challenge.
Above: Mick Robson retained his Rotax Over35 crown at Geelong with a dominant performance winning by eight seconds.
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
Above: Pierce Lehane set the 11th fastest time before charging through the heats and finishing the PreFinal in 4th position.
Pic - AF Images (www.afimages.com.au)
