WA Western Cup, Round 1
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by Nicole McGregor
The “Western Cup” season for 2012 started with a bang with Round One attracting a final tally of 233 entries across 16 classes at the Hurricane Go Kart Club at Wundowie.
Drawing a lot of attention from spectators were the KZ2 Shifters. With 20 entries the competition was strong between these high-calibre drivers. There was plenty of action in these races, with Heat Two resulting in Blake Mills’ engine seizing (when he was coming third) and causing his kart to spin. With a stationary kart facing the wrong way in the middle of the canteen straight Blake made a quick decision to jump out of the kart and seek refuge on the infield while waiting for the rest of the field to go pass.
Above: Simon Gwilliam leads the KZ2s. Jared Bishop and Blake Mills (2) follow
pic - Greg Sapinski
The KZ2 final produced more drama right from the start with too many karts trying to claim the same territory in the first corner. This resulted in the loss of four karts at that point and another three had retired from the race by the time 25 laps had been completed.
Simon Gwilliam (also known affectionately as “Gumby”) quickly gained a clear lead and by lap 15 was starting to lap the back-markers. Looking like “The Stig” in a white racing suit and helmet he won the day, followed by Daniel Currey and Blake Mills (with a different engine!). Another notable driver on the day was BD Soutar-Dawson who placed first in Race One and Race Three but lost pace to finish fourth in the Final.
Many of the spectators watching the Shifters were drivers from other classes who appeared to be thinking “I want to be in one of those”!
Above: A big field of Shifters line up for their standing start
pic - Greg Sapinski
The other classes provided entertaining races also, with not too many incidents requiring intervention by the stewards, considering the size of the fields.
Unfortunately there was one red-flag incident in the third race for Over 40’s and Sportsman Super Heavy. On the last lap long-time friends and racing partners from Northam, Richard Nuich and Paul Hughes, collided at the end of the straight, giving Richard the traumatic experience of having to lift the overturned No. 4 kart off his unconscious friend. Richard went on to win the final and the day, while Paul went off to the hospital to be treated for concussion and a bruised ego. Paul’s points for the day were still up there in spite of not racing in the Final – he ended up in fourth place just 15 points behind John Ray in third.
Above: Jakob Bertam ahead of Jack Matthews, Jnr National Heavy
pic - Greg Sapinski
At the presentation the Club was honoured by the participation of founding member and inaugural Club President from 1961, Allan Hair, who handed out the trophies.
JUNIOR CLUBMAN:
1st Kurt Kostecki; 2nd Jesse Elliott; 3rd Bayley Mickler
SPORTSMAN 125 LIGHT
1st Jason LeCocq; 2nd Brett Wheeler; 3rd Ryan Sherman
SPORTSMAN 125 HEAVY
1st Brad Fitch; 2nd Guy Webster; 3rd Matt Davis
Above: Cadet action, Jacob De Cerqueira leads Damon Papasergio and highest point scorer for the day, Sam Dicker
pic - Greg Sapinski
CADETS
1st Sam Dicker; 2nd Ashley Morrissey; 3rd Keb Evans
JUNIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
1st Jesse Elliott; 2nd Nick Rowe; 3rd Cory Hayes
OVER 40’S
1st Richard Nuich; 2nd Tim Symons; 3rd John Ray
SPORTSMAN SUPER HEAVY
1st William Nicholson; 2nd Ron Vandermeulen; 3rd Luke Morton
SPORTSMAN LIGHT
1st Jason LeCocq; 2nd Peter Bergman; 3rd Nathan Davis
SPORTSMAN HEAVY
1st Brenton Magri; 2nd Brad Fitch; 3rd Andrew Fearn
SPORTSMAN RESTRICTED HEAVY
1st Peter Biancucci; 2nd Peter Newland; 3rd Paul Newland
JUNIOR MAX
1st Thomas Howe; 2nd Thomas Sparkes; 3rd Joshua Merritt
ROOKIES
1st Brock Kenny; 2nd Ethan Patience; 3rd Jordan Love
SENIOR NATIONAL COMBINED
1st Conrad Burke; 2nd Russell Bell; 3rd Thomas Gray
JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
1st Nik Mitic; 2nd Jonathon Ridden; 3rd Thomas Schou
SPORTSMAN RESTRICTED LIGHT
1st Cody McLachlan; 2nd Paul Sutherland; 3rd Colin Dixon
KZ2
1st Simon Gwilliam; 2nd Daniel Currey; 3rd Blake Mills
Above: KZs
pic - Greg Sapinski
Above: Randle Beavis, Senior National Combined
pic - Greg Sapinski
Above: BD Soutar-Dawson, 4th in the KZ2 final
pic - Greg Sapinski
Above: Junior National Heavy, Bertam and Matthews lead Mathew Combs (6) and Cory Hayes (11)
pic - Greg Sapinski
Above: More Cadet action - Rhys McLuckie (20), Hudson Carter (90), Bart Horsten (50), Flynn Thompson (33) and Harrison Lang (29)
pic - Greg Sapinski
Above: Simon Gwilliam (21) and Jared Bishop (48) on the KZ2 grid, Ben van Ryt (51) behind
pic - Greg Sapinski
