Racers Roll Into Manning Valley For MTA Tri-Series
Tweetpress release
Manning Valley Kart Club will host round one of the Motor Traders’ Association (MTA) Tri-Series this weekend. This will be the third running of the series which each year is held over a period of 3 rounds at the Wingham circuit. Manning Valley Kart Club is expecting around 150 competitors from all over NSW to attend this weekend’s opening round, with inquiries and interest well up on previous years.
Large fields of racers will be reaching speeds of up to 115km/h as they battle it out for a share of the $13,000 prize pool. The region will field it best local drivers to contend for the title of MTA champion against a large contingent of travelling competitors.
The youngest class to compete is the Cadets category and last year’s series runner up Zac Crichton of Newcastle will go into the event as the strong favourite. Zac has put in some impressive performances at Wingham in the last 12 months and after narrowly missing out last year, his hungry for gold. The #77 Arrow kart of Jordan Poynting will look to continue his strong form at Wingham by challenging Crichton for the title.
In the slightly older Rookies category Manning Valley Kart Club has two very strong prospects in Zac Stocks from Taree and Tinonee resident Kody Garland. Garland claimed the Cadets first place trophy last year and will be a good chance of another win, this time in the Rookies class for 2012. Stocks has rapidly progressed since the beginning of the year and is capable of matching the pace set by Garland as well as Newcastle drivers Zac Raddatz and Harrison Kilpatrick.
The Ranbuild supported entry of Todd Stocks will head into the series as a hot favourite for the Junior National Light class. He will be joined at the front by Sydney drivers Gus Flynn and James Duckworth who are also capable of taking a strong result. Emily Kilpatrick and Charlotte Poynting continue to improve with each outing and are likely to score some quality results.
Alex Ramsay of Port Macquarie and Joel Robertson of Newcastle will yet again battle it out for the Junior National Heavy title. In recent times these boys have shown great sportsmanship and maturity in their racing and have both been rewarded with some impressive results. They will be joined in the Junior National Heavy class by a large contingent of travelling competitors.
Junior Performance will this weekend compete for the first time since 2003 at the Manning Valley circuit. Gus Flynn and James Duckworth are experienced front runners in this class and enter the series with the best odds for a win. Manning Valley’s Todd Stocks and Alex Ramsay will be hoping that the home track advantage is enough as they make their debut in the 125cc water-cooled class.
During last year’s series, Senior National competitors put on a quality show for spectators. Despite being the slowest of the senior classes, the racing seen in the category recently is a prime example of racing experience and kart control. Port Macquarie’s Andrew Mitchell took out the series last year by the narrowest of margins over Royce Sutherland from Wingham. Both drivers will be back again this year, and joining them at the front will be Taree’s Bradley Drury.
Last year’s winner of TAG100, Bob Taylor, will have his work cut out for him this year. Despite being new to the class, Bradley Drury will go into the series as the best chance for victory. He will not have it easy though, with Taree locals Darren Chick, Dave Neville, Stephen Barnett and Robert Weller also pushing hard for the win.
Clubman Light competitor Glenn Rheinberger from Gloucester will look to go one better in this year’s series after placing second last year. However Matt Dawson of Forster has what it takes to challenge Rheinberger as does Newcastle’s Brock Greedy.
The Clubman Heavy class at Manning Valley has long been hotly contested between two men, Chad Chapman of Forster and local Taree butcher Ryan McIntosh. McIntosh claimed the series last year, but Chapman will be looking to reverse the order as he mounts a strong challenge aboard his Italian made Tonykart chassis.
TAG Restricted Light will offer close and competitive racing as always. Taree’s Martin Wasley will be a strong chance aboard his new Arrow kart and Rotax engine package. He will have to work hard though if he is able to clear out from Newcastle’s Jamie Loerch, Peter Styles and Matt Kenneth.
In TAG Restricted Heavy it is Sodi kart team driver Michael Lawrence of Newcastle and Manning Valley club member Andrew Poynting who will present the strongest of challenges for competitors. After overcoming recent kart maintenance issues, Aaron Wasley of Taree is likely to stir the field with his extensive knowledge of the Wingham circuit.
Within the field of TAG Restricted Super Heavy drivers, Taree Advanced Automotive owner and operator Robert Garland will be Manning Valley’s best local prospect. Garland is currently recovering from injuries sustained from Coffs Harbour last month and insists he will be in good health come race time.
The fastest of the classes on offer over the weekend will be the 125cc Sportsman categories. In the light division, current NSW TAG Super Series contender Andrew Mitchell will be hard to beat. Royce Sutherland will debut in the class and look to challenge Mitchell to the chequered flag. The duo will be joined by strong local drivers Phil Richards, Glenn Rheinberger and Rory Symonds.
In the Heavy division, last year’s series winner Lindsay Bunt from Newcastle will look to emulate his previous performance. Cubby’s karts team drivers Barry House and Trevor Mutton will do their best to stop Bunt’s domination of the class. Wesley Croft from Griffith will look to make his presence felt as he returns to the Wingham track after competing in the inaugural MTA Tri-series.
Racing will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Wingham Sporting Complex on Comboyne Road. The canteen will be open, offering hot and cold goodies all day. A commentator will be in attendance for spectators who are encouraged to attend free of charge.