Dash For Cash In Southern Tassie

from Eamon O'Connor

7 October 2013


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With the biggest prize pool and cash handed out over 2 fantastic days of racing it was a great weekend on September 28-29 at the AWC raceway. With the great support of the STKC, Total Excavation and Building, Wyllie Tiles/Carpet Call and Banjo’s Shoreline Hobart, the best in Tasmanian karters came to race and grab some of the fantastic prizes, trophies and cold hard cash.

With a $10,000 prize pool for the senior classes we saw some great skill and fun had in mixed conditions. On Saturday in cool but dry conditions it allowed all the racers find their desired set ups. But with rain over night it was anyone’s until mid-afternoon when again the track quickly dried and times dropped as grip came back.

Above: Jake Rice on the way to winning the Super 200 final
pic - Tabatha Badger Photography

The senior fields included TaG, Sportsman, National and the Super 200s which proved a hit with the great crowd over the weekend and it was great to see the track records tumble.

In Cadets it was Ethan Wyllie who held sway over his regular rivals with a dominant weekend of racing. His Wyllie Tile Tony Kart had the edge in the final over William Reeve and local Hasse Australia racer Jesse Keeling. A great field of Cadets raced in mixed conditions and it is great to see the next generation racer names of Crocker, Angel and Sherburd out there. Special mention goes to the Tassie Racer Stevie Smith, who is gaining speed and skill with every meet.

In Rookies a small but quality field was headed by the Ultimate Subaru Spares sponsored Brock Lamont from Mitchell Kerrison and Justin Murphy. Callum ”Helmet” Bishop came a close forth and it is fantastic news that he is to join the ultra successful Wyllie team after showing what he can do both in Tassie and on the mainland.

In Juniors it is the Jackson Callow Show as he again ran right at the front with 2013 Rising Star Zevie Eisentraut and Lachlan Newman. Sam Jackson Came Forth while Brianna Hobden and Toby Maase where unfortunate DNF’s in the final after showing speed over the weekend. In Heavies it was the Champions Choice’s Wade McLean out front from Lachlan Cruise.

Above: Jackson Callow leads in Junior National Light
pic - Tabatha Badger Photography

And so to the Money...

In Senior National Light, Daimon Shelton made the top step in the final from Bodie Reading and Gemma Wyllie who all ran at the front over the weekend. It was a marathon weekend for Shelton who would visit the podium in multiple categories and his crew who were kept busy readying his karts. Jumping out of one kart and straight to the grid for the next it was a deserved result for the hard work by the team.

In Senior National Heavy Evan Livingston ran out the winner in the final from Daniel Newman and Jack Pickett. Heat wins also went to Scotty Hilyard in his Tas Autosport Monaco and Thomas Clark in his senior debut. A well deserved battle ended with Thomas winning a couple of tickets to the local premier of Rush for his racing spirit.

In Clubman Light it was Hasse Australia Bradley Hobden who came back from a DNF in the pre-final to race out in front to the flag in the final. Daimon Shelton and Nicky Richards rounded out the podium with Gemma Wyllie a close forth. In Clubman Heavy it was AJ Fitzpatrick who came first in a very close field from Sam Harrington and Evan Livingston.

In Over 40s Pro it was Steve Crocker who got the better of Andrew Butler over the weekend. In the final Shane Burdon ran out 2nd with Warren Smith rounding out the podium. A great field close racing meant it was only at the final lap that the podium was resolved. In Super Heavy Scott Wrigley, Troy Sheahan and Terry Penfold came good.

In Sportsman it was that man again Daimon Shelton with Jade Waddington and Luke Wilton but a close field with heat wins spread across most runners. In the wet conditions Mitchell Lovell had the legs over the field but in the drying afternoon and finals he was not able to keep up.

Above: Jade Waddington #99
pic - Tabatha Badger Photography

In a combined TAG field Mathew Clark ran at the front with Brodey Lovett and Joshua Muskett each taking heat wins but Clark grabbed the top spot in the final. Daniel Hinds show great pace but was unable to convert this into the deserved finishes.

And so to the wonderful Super 200s. With a bumper field it was a pleasure to see these monsters scream around the wonderful track which allows them to really show their speed. With racing in again mixed conditions and a dry track in the final Jake Rice pipped Steven Wrigley and AJ Fitzpatrick for the final podium but it was a lottery as drivers battled to keep themselves on track. James Burdon struggled with brakes (lack of them) and Scotty Halyard was in contention until his front wheel departed the kart, but this was nothing to the fun Jake Rice had in the pre final. Leading comfortable he suddenly slowed and cruised to the flag 7th but all was evident in Park Ferme as to the reason but that did not stop him.

With the trophies presented, prizes handed out and a great BBQ to finish a great weekend of racing and everyone said they can’t wait for next year. Special thanks to the club, officials, sponsors and members who made it possible.

Above: Brock Lamont, Roookies
pic - Tabatha Badger Photography