Luke Marquis Does The Double In The Top End

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Fast Femme Kasey Fullwood leads the local charge

South Australian Luke Marquis enjoyed an almost perfect preparation for his National Championship campaign with a pair of victories at the Northern Territory Karting Championships in Darwin on the weekend.

Above: South Australian Luke Marquis celebrating his victory in Junior National Heavy
pic - AF Images

Marquis, who also won at the corresponding event last year, won the Junior Clubman and National Heavy categories to now have a total of four state championships to his name.

Marquis was simply dominant in the Junior Clubman final, cruising to victory ahead of Kosmic Racing New South Wales driver Dimitri Agathos. Queenslander Mitchell Gee made a last corner pass to snare third place from Lachlan McHugh.

In the Junior National Heavy category the South Australian led the early running and was then able to open a commanding lead when Nicholas Rowe and James Allen battled for the minor positions. Marquis crossed the line well clear of Allen while Damon Strongman had a lonely race on his way to third. Rowe recovered from the ground lost during the early battle to claim fourth.

Above: Local driver Kasey Fullwood claimed a popular podium finish in the Rookies category
pic - AF Images

“It’s pretty amazing to think that 12 months ago I hadn’t won a state championship and now I’ve won four,” said Marquis.

“It is my second time up here to Darwin, and I just love the place. The track is one of my favourite circuits and I think that it’s one of the best in the country.”

In last year’s National Championships, Marquis finished runner-up in the Junior National Light category. After the weekend’s performance he’s aiming for the top step this weekend.

“I came so close in last year’s nationals, hopefully I can go one better this year,” said Marquis.

“To win two categories on the weekend is a great way to prepare for this weekend’s national championships (also being held in Darwin), hopefully I can repeat this performance in that event.”

Knuckey Lagoon’s Kasey Fullwood took the challenge to the boys in the Rookies category on her way to claiming popular podium finish when she crossed the line second behind Bunbury (WA) youngster Brock Kenny.

Above: Western Australian driver Brock Kenny was victorious in the Rookies category
pic - AF Images

Victorian Cooper Murray had been the pacesetter all weekend and in the final he was joined in a two-way battle for the lead by Brock Kenny. The pair battled for the top spot before Kenny took over the front running with four laps remaining. Kenny held strong to claim the win while a last lap attempt by Murray ended in the dirt.

Behind the leading duo, Fullwood was battling with Western Australians Sam Dicker and Samuel Boley along with Victorian Thomas Bennett for the remaining podium positions. The 12 year-old fended off the challenges from the interstate competitors before crossing the line in second place.

“To finish second feels unbelievable. I came into the weekend aiming for the podium and I achieved this goal, so I’m very happy,” said Fullwood, who won the NT Closed Titles last year.

“Racing is so much fun, I like beating the boys – don’t underestimate the girls!”

Joining Fullwood in the podium club for the local drivers was Darren Chilton who finished second behind Queenslander Shane Leahy in the Clubman Over 40s category.

Matthew Wall added to his State Championship trophy cabinet in the Leopard Heavy Final, comprehensively defeating Brendan Nelson and Western Australia’s Brad Fitch. It was the first State Title win and quinella for the brand new Arrow X-2 Chassis.

Sydney-sider, Pierce Lehane took out the Clubman Light final amid moments of insanity during the course of the 16-lap race. Lehane was able to hold strong to take the win in his first major Championship in the class, beating home Matthew Waters and Luke Flynn.

Waters has set himself up nicely for next weekend’s Australian Championships in Darwin by taking out the Senior National category. With three National Titles in the class already, Waters proved dominant beating home fellow Sydney-sider Aaron Borg and Victorian Nicholas Ellen.

The youngest racers in the event, the Cadets category provided some of the best entertainment of the day. Jordyn Sinni, who had been dominant for the weekend was battling for the lead with Jack Doohan before running wide and hitting the tyre barriers hard. This paved the way for Nathan Herne to assume the lead. He and Doohan swapped the lead at will with Queenslander Harrison Hoey keeping the pair honest, before Herne was able to claim the Title from Doohan.

There is little time to rest for the Australian karting community with practice for this weekend’s 50th National Sprint Kart Championships, also being contested at Hidden Valley beginning on Thursday.

• Results and race notes from the finals were supplied and published yesterday - click HERE.

Above: CRG driver Pierce Lehane proved too good in Clubman Light
pic - AF Images

 

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