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Heat Race Report From Rotax Nationals

press release

The heat races have provided the ultimate preparation for drivers and spectators alike as the 2012 Rotax Nationals fired into gear on a sun soaked Lincoln County Raceway in Dubbo.

Excitement for the weekend began with the official Rotax Nationals welcome party held at the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, where in excess of 150 people attended to join in celebrating the event and the announcements regarding the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour.


Above: Trophies and some unique rewards are on offer for the 2012 Rotax Nationals, here on display at the official welcome party
pic - Bill Bryant/Fletchers Photography

New Zealand’s Niki Urwin held the early pace in DD2 Masters, setting the quickest time in the opening qualifying session, however Daniel Richert who is on double driving duties across the weekend with Rotax Heavy eclipsed that in the second session placing his Kosmic on the front row. The opening heat of the weekend saw Richert take a stunning lead from the outset ahead of Urwin, and extending his gap by more than 2 seconds. Urwin however returned fire in the second heat, displaying pure class to take a strong victory. A strong drive from Peter Newland saw him take 2nd ahead of Tony Kart driver Hamish Leighton. Stephen Hampson and Lee Adams completed the top 5. Daniel Richert was again back at the top in the final heat of the day, while Niki Urwin was looking to again provide another strong result before a late race mechanical drama forced the NZ driver into a DNF. This subsequently allowed Hamish Leighton to take home 2nd ahead of a resurgent Brent Coghlan, Jose Ruiz and Brett Cowley.


Above: Niki Urwin – DD2 Masters driver from New Zealand
pic - Bill Bryant/Fletchers Photography

The return of Matthew Wall to Rotax karting was introduced in fine style, with the Victorian setting the fastest time in the opening session for Rotax Heavy of a 48.831, and it was enough to maintain his gap to the next best time set by Paul Rodgers. Wall took the lead early in the opening heat before Queensland’s Matt Greenbury took a lead that he held throughout the majority of the race. Greenbury was eventually declared the race winner ahead of Wall, Rick Pringle, Michael Saller and Paul Rodgers. Matt Wall was again showing the way in the second heat with Adam Hunter in 2nd and Matt Greenbury backing up his first race win with 3rd. CC Racing’s Paul Rodgers crossed the line in 4th and Arrow Kart’s Brendan Nelson rounding out the top 5.

Canberra’s Bruce Otter showed the way in the opening heat in Rotax O’40’s, holding a significant lead across the entire race, with one of his main challengers Shane Karandrews recording a DNF. Malcolm Walker, Lucas Burt, Peter Virgulti and Julian Watts rounded out the top 5. Otter was again the one to catch in the second heat of the day, leading by in excess of 5 seconds, as Karandrews again recording a DNF, impacting his run towards the finals. Virgulti improved from his first race efforts to take 2nd ahead of Burt, Walker and Watts.


Above: Daniel Kinsman – Rotax Light from New Zealand
pic - Bill Bryant/Fletchers Photography

With the split race format for Rotax Light due to their high entry numbers, the opening heat of the weekend saw Pierce Lehane show true composure to take a comfortable lead, while the true battles occurred behind him between Chris Hays, Daniel Kinsman (NZ), Daniel Connor (NZ) and Mitchell Gee.

David Sera returned to the form that represents his current standing as the reigning Rotax Light National Champion by taking victory in his respective opening heat ahead of Daniel Rochford with Nathan Tigani, Fraser Hart (NZ) and Joel Smith completing the top 5. Both Sera and Lehane again showed true composure in the second heats, with the latter taking a significant lead from the outset over Daniel Rochford who maintained his run of 2nd places for the opening day. Daniel Kinsman (NZ) continued to improve on his earlier performances to take 3rd, ahead of a hard charging Tyler Greenbury and Fraser Hart (NZ) in 5th. Sera took the win in the final heat of the day in Rotax Light over Nathan Tigani who showed determination to chase down the 12 time National Champion. Brad Jenner returned from a DNF in heat 1 to take 3rd with Joseph Mawson and Joel Smith completing the top 5.

Close racing proved to be the order in the opening heats for Junior Max, with New Zealand’s Josh Drysdale taking victory in the first group ahead of Victoria’s Jordan Boys. Lachlan McHugh’s top 10 run continued finishing 3rd from James Abela and Jaxon Evans. Thomas Randle on return from competing in the Super 1 Series in England managed two heat victories in fine style, with Andrew Kahl taking 2nd behind Randle in his first win with the returning Stefan Stankovic in 3rd, Cody Gillis in 4th and Queensland’s Mitchell Griffin in 5th. Abela’s strong form continued in the final Junior Max heat of the day, taking 2nd behind Randle with Evans in 3rd and Sydney pair Cameron Hill and Jake Coleman in 4th and 5th respectively.


Above: Dubbo Mayor, Councillor Mathew Dickerson (left) visits the Rotax Nationals with David Sera (Rotax Light) and Ian Black (Managing Director, International Karting Distributors)
pic - Bill Bryant/Fletchers Photography

Pro Tour regular front runner Lucas Ward took pole position in DD2, a strong early boost to the start of his Rotax Nationals campaign ahead of Arrow Kart driver Troy Bretherton, Warwick round winner Jason Pringle, David Whitmore and Jack Lindgren. The first heat saw the experience of Pringle reign supreme despite an early lead from Ward who would eventually finish 2nd. Bretherton’s consistency showed through finishing 3rd in both heats while Travis Millar and Jack Lindgren completed the top 5 in the opening race. Some defensive driving from Lucas Ward was enough to hand him victory in the second heat of the day, fending off a close running Pringle and 3rd place Bretherton. Sodi driver David Whitmore finished 4th with Lindgren in 5th.

The remaining heats from round 3 will commence Sunday’s program prior to the finals.

 

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