First Time Winners Steal The Night Time Show

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The evening session of finals day at the 50th Australian National Karting Championships produced four first time winners on the honour roll.

Queenslander Brendan Nelson, Victorian Thomas Randle, South Australian Luke Marquis and Western Australian James French were awarded the prestigious green plate for the first time in their careers this evening.

Above: Brendan Nelson leading Jason Hryniuk in the Leopard Heavy final
pic - AF Images/Budd

After eight years of trying, Nelson led home a stellar field of drivers in Leopard Heavy after charging down two-time, and defending, champion Lee Mitchener later in the race.

The duo raced nose-to-tail over the last few laps before Mitchener made one last gasp to steal the win entering the fast esses on the back section of the circuit. When the pair touched wheels it sent Mitchener spiraling through the air at high speed, while out of the race, he emerged uninjured from the incident – the same couldn’t be said for his Tony Kart.

As Mitchener dusted himself off, Nelson crossed the line first and Matthew Wall stole the runner-up placing from Brad Fitch exiting the final turn.

“It feels great to have broken through for the win after eight years of trying. I was off pole for Clubman Heavy this afternoon and only finished seventh so I was a bit disappointed but this certainly makes up for it,” said Nelson.

“This is only my second meeting in Leopard for a couple of years, so we’ve done some testing at my home track in Ipswich to make sure I was right on the pace.

“Over the last couple of years I’ve had some great support from the team at Arrow Karts and I’d especially like to thank my Mum and Dad everything they’ve done for me over the years.”

Randle’s win wasn’t quite so straight-forward. After being the pacesetter for much of the weekend the second-generation racer had CIK Stars of Karting Series counterpart Jake Coleman chase him down over the closing stages.

Above: Thomas Randle on top of the Junior Clubman podium
pic - AF Images/Budd

When Coleman made an attempt to steal the win in the final turn, the pair touched and Randle was forced off the racing line allowing Coleman to cross the line first.

A post-race stewards hearing saw Coleman given a one place penalty for his part in the final turn contact, handing the win to Randle. Third place went to Marquis.

While he may have finished third in Junior Clubman, Marquis left no doubt who was the Australian Champion in the Junior National Light category.

Marquis was dominant on his way to claiming the win ahead of local favourite Bryce Fullwood, who charged his way from 15th position on the grid due to an incident in the pre-final.

Above: Luke Marquis on his way to victory in the Junior National Light category
pic - AF Images/Budd

Fullwood crossed the line narrowly ahead of Chris Burley, second-generation racer Tyler Morrison and Damon Strongman.

In the Senior National category, French led the way when it mattered most to cross the line first ahead of Luke Jones and polesitter Tyler Cramer. As has come to be expected in Senior National competition, the racing was hard fought with very little separating the top six all throughout the race.

Above: Western Australian James French leading the way in Senior National
pic - AF Images/Budd

While four drivers claimed their maiden green plate, James Sera was nothing short of dominant on his way to the fourth national championship of his career – his third in the Clubman Light ranks.

Kalgoorlie driver Anthony Martin has been somewhat of a revelation throughout the opening half of 2012, mixing it with his more fancied rivals and tonight’s final was no different. Martin claimed the runner-up spot ahead of defending champion Cian Fothergill and New Zealand competitor Aaron Marr.

Above: James Sera in Clubman Light
pic - AF Images/Budd

The full results can be found here (https://app.austkarting.com.au/aka/results/view/NT/Darw/2012-07-08/)

50th Australian National Sprint Kart Championships

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS (Top Five - Evening classes)

Senior National
1. James French
2. Luke Jones
3. Tyler Cramer
4. Trent Rogers
5. Todd Stevens

Leopard Heavy
1. Brendan Nelson
2. Matthew Wall
3. Bradley Fitch
4. Kris Walton
5. Jason Hryniuk

Junior Clubman
1. Thomas Randle
2. Jake Coleman
3. Luke Marquis
4. Nicholas Rowe
5. Jake Klein

Clubman Light
(*Results under appeal)
1. James Sera
2. Anthony Martin
3. Cian Fothergill
4. Aaron Marr
5. Matthew Waters

Junior National Light
1. Luke Marquis
2. Bryce Fullwood
3. Chris Burley
4. Tyler Morrison
5. Damon Strongman

PRE-FINALS (Top Five - Evening classes)
Senior National
1. Tyler Cramer
2. James Foster
3. Matthew Waters
4. James French
5. Todd Stevens

Leopard Heavy
1. Lee Mitchener
2. Bradley Fitch
3. Brendan Nelson
4. Matthew Wall
5. Kris Walton

Clubman Light
1. James Sera
2. Cian Fothergill
3. Aaron Marr
4. Jordan Ford
5. Pierce Lehane

Junior Clubman
1. Thomas Randle
2. Jake Coleman
3. Luke Marquis
4. Mitchell Gee
5. Jake Klein

Junior National Light
1. Luke Marquis
2. Chris Burley
3. Tyler Morrison
4. Damon Strongman
5. Thomas Prascevic

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