Advance Australasia Qld Rotax Max Challenge - Round 4

press release

Across the weekend, the Warwick Kart Club played host to an impressive field in the 4th round of the Advance Australasia Queensland Rotax Max Challenge, the second last event in the five round series.

Once again round 4 was run under a qualifying format and there was non-stop action the whole day. Damien Ward put his stamp firmly on pole position for Rotax Light with a blistering 30.916, Troy Brethaton took p2 with a 31.204 and Kyle Ensby rounded out the top three qualifiers with a 31.212. 

In the Heavy field William Yarwood once again showed he is a class act.  A DNF in the final of round 3 at Ipswich and he wanted to prove that it would take more than that to rattle his cage posting a 31.77.  Matt Greenbury took p2 with a 31.914 and the current series leader Lane Moore putting down a 31.918 to put himself on p3.

Just as the Finals were set to get underway the clouds rolled in and the heavens opened up.  The meeting was declared wet and the rush was on to find that perfect wet set up with the clock ticking all the drivers and their crews worked double time. 

In Rotax Light, Damien Ward showed he was not going to let the rain dampen his day taking the lead from the start.  Kane Rowsell had worked hard all day and went into 2nd early, but Brendan Nelson was too good on the wet track and came back into 2nd with Damien Ward in his sights. 

The battleground was set with Brendan and Damien swapping the lead 3 - 4 times.  Damien Ward made a late charge on the last corner and took the chequered in front of Brendon Nelson.  Kyle Ensby was on fire and charged all the way from 9th to finish 3rd and also set the fastest time for the final.

Above: Rotax Light winner Damien Ward

Rotax Heavy also delivered spirited and thrilling racing.  After the heats and pre-finals in Rotax Heavy William Yarwood proved once again he was the benchmark and wanted that prize money.  With a clean sweep in the heats and pre final, William Yarwood secured pole for the final.  Matt Greenbury and Lane Moore managed to stay within striking distance all day.  

William Yarwood ran a little wide on turn 2 in the final and it looked like Matt Greenbury was going to slip through but William managed to close the door and keep control of the race.  Matt Greenbury posted the fastest lap of the final but just could not find a way around William. William Yarwood took the win and the cash with Matt Greenbury 2nd and Lane Moore 3rd.

Above: Rotax Heavy winner William Yarwood

JNR Max also ran as a support class for the day and attracted a field of 6.  The racing by these young drivers was amazing and is a good sign of things to come for the class.  The highlight of the day was Tyler Greenbury in the wet, his driving was arguably one of the best displays of kart control to be seen in a long time and from a junior driver… so Watch This Space….

Above: Junior MAX podium

The next round of the Advance Australasia Qld Rotax Max Challenge will be on the 19th of October at Toowoomba Kart Club.

Series co-ordinator Ken Bensley said “It was great to see such a fantastic turn out and the support for the Rotax Class.  The racing was edge-of-your-seat and it was really great to see the drivers enjoying themselves, in turn delivering awesome racing action for the supporters and spectators.”

A big thanks to all our series sponsors Advance Australasia, Work Force International, Custom Decals, Rotax, Totalkarting.com.au, the drivers and the members of the Warwick Kart Club for a great weekend. A special thanks to John and Teresa Galos for supplying and running the timing system for the series and to Geoff Salmon from Sports Voice for his great Commentary of the racing.

Above: Ward leads the Lights

Above: Lane Moore, Rotax Heavy

Above: Rotax Light podium

Above: Yarwood leads the Heavies

Above: Kane Rowsell, Rotax Light

Above: Greenbury (L) and Yarwood, Rotax Heavy

Above: Brendan Nelson, Rotax Light

Above: Matt Brunt, Rotax Heavy

Above: Action in Heavies

Above: Matt Hayworth, Rotax Light

Above: Kyle Ensby, Rotax Light

Above & Below: Rotax Light action

 

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