Archie Bristow headed across the border into South Australia for their South Australian Kart Championships. Bristow was making his first visit to the Monarto Go Kart Club of South Australia and was looking to take home his first state championship and blue plate.
After coming agonisingly close in Victoria earlier this year, Archie was ready to take his chance to go one better! Bristow utilised Friday and Saturday morning practice to get up to speed with the track.
Qualifying was set up to be a close battle, with not much between Archie and dual SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round winner Jenson Damaschino. The Bridgeswade Pool and Spas sponsored entry hit the track and was quickly into the top 2 and trading times with Damaschino for pole position. Both drivers gave it their absolute all and Archie had full concentration to try and nail the pole position. Bristow stopped the clock in 2nd overall which had him off the front row for the opening heat.
Heat 1 came around and Archie had the eyes forward to take victory to start his racing weekend. Bristow got a great start and lead out of the opening lap, but there were multiple lead changes in the opening few laps between the 2 front runners. The M J Pressure and Property Works sponsored entry was able to get the lead back on lap 3 and slowly open up margin on the rest of the field! Bristow was able to start his racing weekend with a bang, taking victory by just under 2 seconds!
Sunday morning arrived where the final 2 heats and the championship decider was going to be run. Archie off the outside of the front row was able to take lead on the opening lap and try to go to work in the lead. The Parolin kart was working extremely well and Bristow was able to slowly open up margin on the rest of the field! Archie was able to cross the line and make it 2 out of 2 heat wins, which now had him off pole position for the final heat!
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Bristow was now off pole position and was looking to continue his hot run off form. Archie lost the lead on the opening lap to earlier pole sitter Damaschino, but was able to take it back on lap 2. The Bridgeswade Pool and Spas backed entry started to put the hammer down and open up margin on the rest of the field. Bristow was able to put in his strongest performance yet by coming away with his 3rd consecutive heat win and crossing the line nearly 5 seconds ahead of the field!
The nerves were high going into the 18-lap final as Archie was looking to take home his maiden state championship! Bristow got the all-important jump off the start and was able to lead the open few laps. The M J Pressure and Property Works supported entry was opening up margin and was trying to put the race to bed early! In another supreme drive, Archie was able to cross the line nearly 3 seconds clear of the rest of the field and take out his maiden state championship!
Archie’s father Matt spoke post weekend on his young son’s biggest career win! “Archie was excited to have a crack at the S.A state championship after narrowly missing out on the Victorian title. He knew that it wasn’t going to be easy and he would have to be at his best to win it. Throughout practice there was nothing between himself and Jensen Damaschino both showing great pace. Archie made one mistake in the first practice session and I said “1st and last of the weekend mate” and that was it he drove faultlessly from then on.
“The results might look like he won all heats easily but that was by no means the case. Jensen and Kurtis were hot on his tail and pushed Archie all the way. We are so proud of Archie, he is really maturing into a great driver, never folding under pressure and able to take control of the race. He is so happy to have won his first blue plate and can’t thank the Go kart club of S.A enough for hosting a spectacular event”.
Bristow is making his claim to be one of the very best young drivers in the country in season 2022!
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