Best of Everything At Clyde Marshall Memorial
Tweet| 31 October 2012 |
by Max Laybutt
There is absolutely no doubt that over a period of time, the Combined Districts Kart Club has mastered the art of providing exceptionally good events that provide superb racing with unbeatable hospitality and great camaraderie, and this year’s Clyde Marshall Memorial event, conducted last weekend 27th and 28th October was just better than ever.
This event heralds the start of the clubs “Breast Cancer” yearly effort that culminates with the Annual “Ladies Only” event scheduled for the 26th and 27th January 2013.
On the social side of the Clyde Marshall, full marks to the entire Egan family for providing a great trivia competition, auctioneer Craig Harradine for extracting donations via the spirited auction, and all this coupled with a superb meal by that regular “Joycee” crew just made Saturday evening a tremendous event and enhanced a truly great weekend of fellowship and racing.
The support of more than 160 entrants and, in particular, the very large, vocal group from the Orange Club, provided some great racing with 14 classes doing battle over an extended race programme which after the regular carburettor session, included a separate qualifying session, 3 x 8 laps heats, a 14 lap pre-final and a 16 lap final. Once again and in line with the club's policy, providing a real value for money weekend's racing, and all finished with everybody packed up ready to go at a very reasonable hour.
While the TaG karts were short on numbers, they provided some good racing in a range of classes. While a little on the “procession” side, I am sure they were enjoyed by all the competitors. It is disappointing that these classes do not appear to support individual club events, however those that made the effort enjoyed the weekend.
Only two classes of TAG made the numbers required for the classes to proceed.
The RESTRICTED HEAVY Group saw regular CDKC Supporter Simon KENDRICK, leading home some other CDKC members in Mark PASHLEY-PARTRIDGE and Stuart ROBERTSON from an enthusiastic field that included a lone Orange club supporter in Alan POWELL. While Alan was amongst the front all week-end engine problems saw him miss a start in the Final.
The SPORTSMAN Class was run at a mid-weight so that a field of reasonable size could be put together and while the numbers may have been down, the racing was great to see. The front three represented 3 different clubs in that the winner, Kingsley HUSSEY is a regular CDKC starter, with Rodney GOODMAN representing the Vintage Kart Club arriving home in second place closely followed by Joshua CRAIG from the North Shore club.
CADETS and ROOKIES:
The Combined Districts Kart Club has always been a strong supporter of our formation classes, CADETS and ROOKIES, and this event was no exception with 18 Cadets and 19 Rookies arriving to show their enthusiasm and ability.
CADETS, saw Casey SZYMKOW who, although back in the bunch through the heats, and starting the final off from grid 3, turned on his best performance to finish ahead of Zachary HEARD and Cody BURCHER, with William SEAL and Russell MAYO right behind them and in contention all the way.
ROOKIES have developed a lot of very real “stars” and if you go down through the list of starters and have a look at some of the names that did not make the front five you realise how much depth this class has. Zac RADDATZ scored the win over Ziggy VACCARELLA and Kyle BONSER, with Anthony WISKICH and the flyer from the Dubbo Kart Club, Tyler EVERINGHAM filling 4th and 5th place respectively. Further down the order, Winter, Lichtenberger, Attard, Harradine all top line performers who worked hard but were unable to upset the top five when it mattered.
THE JUNIORS:
It was great to see the JUNIOR CLUBMAN class form with no less than 8 quality starters all of whom were there to show they are very accomplished drivers and any one of them capable of winning this event. Lachlan GIBBONS is always hard to beat and despite some, “not so hot” heat results he gathered up his ability and scored a very tight win over Christopher SANDRONE, who is just back from overseas where he competed in the Tony Kart International event and showed that the experience has certainly been of benefit to him. Anthony COLOMBRITA hung around that 3rd place all day and although he finished 3rd in the final a DNF in the Pre-Final made his job very hard. There was a heap of top class entrants in there all the way and any one of them could have very easily upset the final order. Dimitri AGATHOS must have been a little disappointed for he actually won all the heats but could only manage 4th in the final and Scotty HARRIS is improving with every outing.
JUNIOR NATIONALS, both LIGHT and HEAVY always provide BIG fields at the Lithgow meetings, and this event was no exception, with no less than 19 starters to contest the light division where Joshua CARR was just too good all day and had a convincing win from Gus FLYNN and Glen ORMEROD, Todd STOCKS and Nathan ROURKE were left to fill 4th and 5th place. In the Heavy Division, Scotty HARRIS provided a very measured drive and kept Samuel SCHWARZ and Dimitri AGATHOS behind him to score the win, with Jeff RAHALEY and Nick BECKER just scraping into 4th and 5th places respectively.
THE NATIONAL SENIORS:
After some very real effort to foster the NATIONAL SUPER HEAVY class, and with BIG support of our Brothers from the Orange Kart Club, no less than 16 starters lined up to do battle. Lithgow club Vice President Tom HEARN has been the leader, and is certainly regarded as the pace setter in this class on most occasions, but this meeting his supremacy was severely tested by a number of keen “BIG” guys. Phil MIDDELTON was not headed all day in heats, or finals, however Orange club member Brett DICKSON sorted out the challenging Lithgow circuit to fill second place and keep Phil honest all day. The evergreen John HORSBURGH scored the 3rd place trophy with Tom HEARN relegated to the 4th spot. Laurie DORAN was down from Wagga, and Ian SADLER, “Sads” to his mates, from the Orange club, were in there all the way and these guys made sure there were certainly no run away scores from anybody.
NATIONAL LIGHT and HEAVY classes were extremely well represented and as usual, provided very close racing from the entire field. The LIGHTS are the home of Brayden PRITCHARD, and on his 18th Birthday? He was able to keep Josh BUCHAN and Aaron GIUNTINI into the minor placings. The ladies in this division, Alexandra LAWRENCE, Sarah and Monique MILLMORE, and Courtney BECKER will be well prepared for the struggle that will come from ladies from all over Australia in this class at the LADIES NATIONAL MEETING in January. The HEAVIES saw Jeremy ATKINS lead home Craig WRIGHT and Mitchell MEREDITH, with another of the lady contenders Simone SEAL right behind them in 4th place.
And then the old guys, SENIOR NATIONAL OVER 40’s. Now Anthony BORG has been trying to put a Clyde Marshall Notch on his belt for the last 4 years, and at long last he produced a drive, where he actually spun the kart all by himself and relegated himself to the back of the field in the final. But with absolute pure determination he made a spectacular effort to get past the likes of Peter PONTELO, Peter ATKINS, who filled the minor placing, and Glen EGAN, Derek MILLMORE and some other very accomplished over 40’s to score a well deserved win.
THE CLUBMAN LIGHT, HEAVY, and OVER 40 classes, all provided big fields and great racing. There is no doubt that Ian BEERAZ is the master of the LIGHT CLASS, however keep your eye on Joshua SEIFFERT, who won all the heats, and the Pre-Final and only just missed keeping Ian out in the final; and it is not that long ago he was in the junior ranks he is now improving with every drive, he certainly gave Ian a run, and worked hard to keep Mitchell CROKE behind him.
The HEAVY DIVISION, ..... Jason VARLEY! What more needs to be said, and to think all the young participants of the forthcoming JUNIOR CAMP will have the benefit of his coaching for 2 days!! Nicholas COOLEY and James TAYLOR both Wollongong Club members filled the minor placings from a really first class field.
And finally the CLUBMAN OVER 40’s. Great to see Craig HARRADINE and Glenn WILLIAMS out there having a go, however try as they did all day they could not stop Leigh WRIGHT from taking home the trophy ahead of Warrick NORRIS and Michael MICALLEF.
DIARY DATES:
NOVEMBER 17th (Heavy Day) and 18th (Light Day) will be the final full meeting of the club with only the Christmas meeting scheduled for DECEMBER 1ST (Santa has put it in his diary!!) Remaining for the year these events will bring to a close a very successful year of racing, and fellowship, for all who have helped make this a very enjoyable years competition.
JANUARY 2013.
JUNIOR CAMP
Karting NSW Junior Camp with entry’s now being accepted, and as the number is restricted it will be wise to get yours in as soon as possible.
LADIES ONLY
Details are now available just contact the club through the web site for further information.
