Rotax Nationals Day 1 - Price & Yarwood On Top

Former national champions Bart Price (Light) and William Yarwood (Heavy) lead the way at the 2008 Sparco Rotax Nationals. The fact they were undefeated today is not an accurate reflection of what is going on. In both categories there are several drivers lining up behind them that have a serious shot at victory on Sunday afternoon...

A report, results and pre-final grids (from the AKA site karting.net.au) can be found below the photos. Full results so far are on mylaps.com HERE.

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Fastest qualifier Bart Price (13) was undefeated in today's heats, here forming up alongside Luigi Catanese. The stable results of the class (Price ahead of David Sera, Troy Woolston and Luigi Catanese in every heat) does not reflect the close and changing nature of the racing. Initially over subscribed, a couple of withdrawals on Friday saw a full 36-kart field compete in all heat races and transfer to Sunday's Finals.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Despite 2 heat wins, defending Heavy champ Kel Treseder starts the pre-final outside the top 10 thanks to a DNS in the very first heat. An as-yet undiagnosed failure saw him stranded on the grid and forced onto a second motor - which is also very fast. If he can get through the traffic cleanly in the pre-final, Kel will be one to watch in the Final.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Jake Spencer wrapped up in the Mojo banners after contact with Jace Lindstrom, Rotax Light
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: A number of V8 Supercar drivers made an appearance at the official welcome dinner on Friday night. Here, Brad Jones, Jason Richards and Cameron McConville join the Junior Rotax drivers.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Driving an old Arrow (dont be confused by the Aurora stickers) ICC Shifter chassis with the front brakes etc removed, Queensland's Gerry Brookes leads a big field of Rotax Over 35s
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: In the A Vs B qualifying heats, William Yarwood is unbeaten. Luc Price (1) and Kel Treseder (2) won the other three races.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Mike Godsell with the Grizzy Power girls. The local driver qualified fastest for Rotax Heavy and after a couple of second placings failed to start his third heat, pulling up on the roll up laps with a broken balance shaft.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: Joshua DeMaio (88) and Tyler Greenbury (6) fill the front row of a big Junior Rotax field
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: David Sera gives it everything in qualifying. After carding 4th fastest time, Sera has moved to 2nd in all three heat races and will be throwing out the challenge to Bart Price.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

sparco rotax nationals
Above: The Grizzly Power girls. More about Grizzly Power another day...
pic - Cooper's Photography, 0439 607 072

FORMER CHAMPIONS HAVE THE UPPER HAND ON SATURDAY AT ROTAX NATIONALS

Two former Australian Rotax champions are on course to reclaim their crowns after day one of proceedings at the 2008 Sparco Rotax Nationals at VACC Park in Melbourne, Victoria today.

Factory Arrow driver Bart Price, older brother of V8 Supercar driver Shane Price, has dominated the star-studded Rotax Light field, qualifying on pole and winning all three heat races held today.

Price will start tomorrow’s Pre-Final from pole position as he aims to win his second Rotax Light Australian Title, having won the green number one plate in the class back in 2003 when the event was held in Newcastle, NSW.

While Price was clearly dominant today, he will have some classy opposition nipping at his heels in tomorrow’s Pre-Final and all-important final.

Defending Rotax Light Australian Champion David Sera will start from second place in the Pre-Final, just ahead of 2008 Victorian State Champion Troy Woolston and young gun Luigi Catanese, who has Rotax experience both in Australia and Europe in recent years.

In the over-subscribed Rotax Heavy division it is four-time Australian Rotax Heavy Champ William Yarwood that is leading the way, with the Queenslander securing pole for tomorrow’ Pre-Final after qualifying and heat racing today.

While Yarwood is known as the dominant force in this class, he has not had things his own way so far, making this a fascinating class entering the final day of the meeting tomorrow.

Intrepid driver Mike Godsell was the fastest qualifier, while Victorian State Champion Rick Pringle, current Rotax National Rankings leader Andrew Torville and City of Melbourne Titles winner Luc Price will fill the first two rows of the Pre-Final.

Defending Australian Rotax Heavy Champion Kel Treseder will be a man to watch, having won two of his three heat races today aboard his Kosmic chassis.

The Bundaberg driver qualified seventh fastest before going on to win two of his three heats. Treseder did not take the start of his first heat after an engine failure on his first lap from the out grid.

In Junior Max Joshua De Maio is showing why he currently leads the National Rotax Rankings, pencilled in to start from the front row alongside Australian Junior National Light champ Tyler Greenbury in the Pre-Final tomorrow.

Those positions could switch before the Pre-Final, with an overnight hearing to determine if Greenbury passed Matthew Hart under yellow flags during Heat Three this afternoon.

Either way, it’s a sensational drive by De Maio, who has recently returned from a broken collarbone and has lost none of his form during his recuperation.

Britek Motorsport Scholarship driver Scott McLaughlin will start the Pre-Final from third place, one of the drivers to watch due to his vast experience in Junior Max racing in his native New Zealand.

Hart and Chris Hays are showing strong speed, Hart amazingly in his Junior Max debut, while the Redspeeds of Ben Jurczak and Max Johnston cannot be ruled out. Jurczak will start the Pre-Final from fourth, while Johnston will start eighth, but the Queensland State Junior Clubman Champ was a little unlucky on occasions in his heats and has the pace of the front-runners.

Gerry Brooks, Steve Willing and Dominic Albanese will fill the first three positions for the Pre-Final of Rotax Over 35s, while Aaron Rintoul and David Whitmore will form up on the front row for DD2.

Jordan Nicolaou will start the Junior National Light support class Pre-Final from pole ahead of Liam Morey, recently elevated from Rookies.

ROTAX LIGHT

Qualifying – combined sessions
1. #13 Bart Price (Arrow) 40.861
2. #51 Luigi Catanese (MBA) 40.940
3. #9 Troy Woolston (Intrepid) 40.985
4. #1 David Sera (Arrow) 40.990
5. #36 Daniel Rochford (Intrepid) 41.005
6. #45 Jason Hryniuk (CRG) 41.013
7. #57 David Whitmore (Intrepid) 41.058
8. #94 James Sera (Kosmic) 41.069
9. #15 Matthew Wall (Arrow) 41.078
10. #49 Jordie Lindstrom (Tony Kart) 41.078

Heat One – 10 laps
1. #13 Bart Price (Arrow)
2. #1 David Sera (Arrow)
3. #9 Troy Woolston (Intrepid)
4. #51 Luigi Catanese (MBA)
5. #36 Daniel Rochford (Intrepid)
6. #94 James Sera (Kosmic)
7. #35 Jason Pringle (CRG)
8. #49 Jordie Lindstrom (Tony Kart)
9. #6 Jace Lindstrom (Tony Kart)
10. #39 Jake Spencer (Arrow)

Heat Two – 10 laps
1. #13 Bart Price (Arrow)
2. #1 David Sera (Arrow)
3. #9 Troy Woolston (Intrepid)
4. #51 Luigi Catanese (MBA)
5. #57 David Whitmore (Intrepid)
6. #49 Jordie Lindstrom (Tony Kart)
7. #94 James Sera (Kosmic)
8. #45 Jason Hryniuk (CRG)
9. #43 Kyle Bell (Gillard)
10. #15 Matthew Wall (Arrow)

Heat Three – 10 laps
1. #13 Bart Price (Arrow)
2. #1 David Sera (Arrow)
3. #9 Troy Woolston (Intrepid)
4. #51 Luigi Catanese (MBA)
5. #94 James Sera (Kosmic)
6. #45 Jason Hryniuk (CRG)
7. #15 Matthew Wall (Arrow)
8. #49 Jordie Lindstrom (Tony Kart)
9. #39 Jake Spencer (Arrow)
10. #36 Daniel Rochford (Intrepid)

Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final
1. #13 Bart Price
2. #1 David Sera
3. #9 Troy Woolston
4. #51 Luigi Catanese
5. #94 James Sera
6. #49 Jordie Lindstrom
7. #15 Matthew Wall
8. #66 Reif Corbett
9. #43 Kyle Bell
10. #35 Jason Pringle
11. #4 Geoffrey Uhrhane
12. #36 Daniel Rochford
13. #90 Ryan Urban
14. #6 Jace Lindstrom
15. #39 Jake Spencer
16. #7 Damien Ward
17. #45 Jason Hryniuk
18. #57 David Whitmore
19. #72 Daniel McPhee
20. #41 Hayden McBride
21. #32 Jono Taylor
22. #61 Darren Anderson
23. #5 Tom Williamson
24. #98 Dylan Lindgren
25. #70 Brendan Nelson
26. #19 Nick Gottlewski
27. #29 Kyle Ensbey
28. #14 Geoff Connell
29. #92 James True
30. #12 Broe Shiells
31. #96 Mitchell Hewitt
32. #16 Troy Bretherton
33. #23 Sarron Caddy
34. #11 Luke Skinner
35. #20 Warrick Grace
36. #77 Kane Rowse

ROTAX HEAVY

Qualifying – combined sessions
1. #67 Mike Godsell (Intrepid) 41.720
2. #69 William Yarwood (Arrow) 41.870
3. #19 Andrew Torville (PCR) 41.922
4. #40 Luc Price (Arrow) 41.945
5. #89 Matt Solman (Gillard) 41.983
6. #33 Rick Pringle (CRG) 42.005
7. #1 Kel Treseder (Kosmic) 42.012
8. #38 Matt Greenbury (Tony Kart) 42.028
9. #88 Ashley Pollard (Intrepid) 42.055
10. #4 Brett Davidson (Arrow) 42.059

Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final
1. #69 William Yarwood
2. #33 Rick Pringle
3. #40 Luc Price
4. #88 Ashley Pollard
5. #19 Andrew Torville
6. #89 Matt Solman
7. #4 Brett Davidson
8. #5 Jason Stania
9. #35 Simon Meyer
10. #91 Jack Lindgren
11. #1 Kel Treseder
12. #43 Nicholas Crawshay
13. #67 Mike Godsell
14. #16 Nathan Van Es
15. #48 Steve Johnson
16. #38 Matt Greenbury
17. #17 Reece Broady
18. #6 Craig Evans
19. #78 Brad Wyatt
20. #74 Ben McKinlay
21. #34 Brodie Coulson
22. #68 Michael Neame
23. #86 Todd Davey
24. #99 Jay Waugh
25. #76 Aaron Cunningham
26. #11 Grant Donley
27. #72 Brock Green
28. #29 Lane Moore
29. #8 Robbie Daniels
30. #28 Warren Pickering
31. #15 Corey McCullagh
32. #9 Tony Ciccone
33. #13 Nick Karmalis
34. #87 Steven Smythe
35. #18 Dominic Ciccone
36. #93 Adam Deborre
Did Not Qualify (Reserves)
37. #27 Brendan Sarton
38. #70 Matthew Freeman
39. #7 Mitchell Van Es
40. #94 Wayne Alway
41. #49 David Richardson
42. #84 Richard Lacey
43. #98 Josh Willet

JUNIOR ROTAX

Heat One – 10 laps
1. #6 Tyler Greenbury (Tony Kart)
2. #98 Scott McLaughlin (Arrow)
3. #76 Ben Jurczak (Redspeed)
4. #97 Christopher Hays (Tony Kart)
5. #88 Joshua De Maio (Intrepid)
6. #35 Luke Rochford (Arrow)
7. #62 Mathew Hart (Arrow)
8. #24 Max Johnston (Arrow)
9. #95 Jack Wynack (Arrow)
10. #16 Karl Barvich (Phoenix)

Heat Two – 10 laps
1. #88 Joshua De Maio (Intrepid)
2. #6 Tyler Greenbury (Tony Kart)
3. #76 Ben Jurczak (Redspeed)
4. #97 Christopher Hays (Tony Kart)
5. #98 Scott McLaughlin (Arrow)
6. #62 Mathew Hart (Arrow)
7. #24 Max Johnston (Redspeed)
8. #4 Tim Holowell (Arrow)
9. #69 Dalton Rowell (Arrow)
10. #16 Karl Barvich (Phoenix)

Heat Three – 10 laps
1. #88 Joshua De Maio (Intrepid)
2. #6 Tyler Greenbury* (Tony Kart)
3. #98 Scott McLaughlin (Arrow)
4. #62 Mathew Hart* (Arrow)
5. #69 Dalton Rowell (Arrow)
6. #35 Luke Rochford (Arrow)
7. #76 Ben Jurczak (Redspeed)
8. #97 Christopher Hays (Tony Kart)
9. #96 Warren White Jnr (CRG)
10. #24 Max Johnston (Redspeed)

Heat Three provisional – positions for #6 and #62 may be reversed

Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final**
1. #6 Tyler Greenbury
2. #88 Joshua De Maio
3. #98 Scott McLaughlin
4. #76 Ben Jurczak
5. #97 Christopher Hays
6. #62 Mathew Hart
7. #69 Dalton Rowell
8. #24 Max Johnston
9. #35 Luke Rochford
10. #95 Jack Wynack
11. #4 Tim Holowell
12. #96 Warren White Jnr
13. #16 Karl Barvich
14. #65 Jarrod Farrawell
15. #2 Ben Cooper
16. #90 Ross Miller
17. #14 Jackson Delamont
18. #41 Macauley Jones
19. #34 Brandon Stiwell
20. #8 Liam Heaton
21. #25 Rhys Newman
22. #52 Isabella Thomas

**Positions provisional pending hearing regarding #6 and #62 from Heat Three.

ROTAX OVER 35s

Heat One – 10 laps
1. #18 Gerry Brooks
2. #11 Danny Woodland
3. #15 Frank Falla
4. #4 Carey Stapleton
5. #50 Lucas Burt
6. #14 Steven Willing
7. #33 Shane Mundey
8. #48 Steve Johnson
9. #5 Dominic Albanese
10. #87 Ron Klingler

Heat Two – 10 laps
1. #6 Peter Klein
2. #48 Steve Johnson
3. #14 Steven Willing
4. #5 Dominic Albanese
5. #18 Gerry Brooks
6. #94 Wayne Alway
7. #62 Doug Haig
8. #17 Bruce Otter
9. #87 Ron Klingler
10. #15 Frank Falla

Heat Three – 11 laps
1. #18 Gerry Brooks
2. #14 Steven Willing
3. #11 Danny Woodland
4. #50 Lucas Burt
5. #5 Dominic Albanese
6. #87 Ron Klingler
7. #17 Bruce Otter
8. #94 Wayne Alway
9. #4 Carey Stapleton
10. #7 Steven Smythe

Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final
1. #18 Gerry Brooks
2. #14 Steven Willing
3. #5 Dominic Albanese
4. #11 Danny Woodland
5. #50 Lucas Burt
6. #87 Ron Klingler
7. #17 Bruce Otter
8. #94 Wayne Alway
9. #4 Carey Stapleton
10. #7 Steven Smythe
11. #6 Peter Klein
12. #48 Steve Johnson
13. #62 Doug Haig
14. #15 Frank Falla
15. #33 Shane Mundey
16. #41 Dallas Walton
17. #16 Greg Moores
18. #27 Stephen Morling
19. #39 Gavin Mazzoni
20. #3 Andrew Salau
21. #46 Sean Morling
22. #21 Geoff Sjorgren
23. #22 Robert Ringeri
24. #2 Chris Martin
25. #36 Gerald Richardson
26. #70 Mark Newman
27. #26 Paul Mapperson
28. #64 Stephen Lowerson

SUPPORT CLASSES

JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT – Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final
1. #34 Jordan Nicolaou
2. #48 Liam Morey
3. #44 Andrew Carey
4. #22 Phillip Cubbin
5. #25 Darren Barnes
6. #42 Nicholas Ellen
7. #81 Giacoma Dichiera

DD2 – Starting Line-Up for Pre-Final
1. #66 Aaron Rintoul
2. #57 David Whitmore
3. #35 Tony Prendergast
4. #14 Paul Hamilton
5. #9 Troy Woolston
6. #7 Steve Martin
7. #16 Bruce Otter
8. #47 Ian Watt
9. #42 Gordan Wells

Home

© kartsportnews.com