Round 1, Inter City Group Rotax ICC

press release

Across the weekend, the Warwick Kart Club played host to an impressive field in the first round of The Inter City Group 2009 ROTAX ICC, proudly presented by French Connection and Playboy Time.

The 2009 Rotax Inter Club Challenge is running in place of last years Qld Rotax Series and will run under the same qualifying format as last year.   This year the event has expanded to include an over 35’s division running at 170kg and Jnr Max category now that it is officially a championship class.

Above: Rotax Heavy take the start at Warwick, William Yarwood grabbing the lead

For 2009 the Rotax ICC will visit 5 tracks and will run alongside the Clubman Gladiators ICC. Each of the Senior classes has prize money up for grabs at each round and some seriously cool prizes for Jnr Max.

With rain thanks to the tropical cyclone up north in the week leading up to Round 1, organisers were nervous that it would dampen the spirits of the competitors.  How wrong they were when the sun came out to play on Saturday and so did the competitors.  With over 130 for practice on Saturday the weekend was shaping up to be huge.  Sunday was another picture perfect day and it seemed that everyone was keen to race.  At the close of nominations the entries were tallied with a record breaking 197 entries for the club.

Above: Rotax Light on the grid

In Rotax Light, Damien Ward set the pace in qualifying taking pole, Kyle Ensbey P2 and Shae Davies securing P3. The Final saw Ensby in the lead early with some good pace but Damien Ward had the measure and regained the lead mid race and drove away to a convincing win with Ensby across the line 2nd, Shae Davies 3rd and an impressive drive from young Andrew Gatland for 4th.

In the Heavy field William Yarwood secured pole for heat 1, with Trent Moore back from a year overseas working showing he has not lost his touch taking P2, with brother Lane Moore out of P3.  Trent Moore took the lead from last years champion William Yarwood early in the race and showed that he is real contender to take out the 2009 ICC.  With a flawless drive he crossed the line 4 kart lengths ahead of Yarwood only to have the victory stripped for coming in .2 of a kilo under weight on scales that had produced plenty of pink slips all day.

Making the Final result William Yarwood 1st, Lane Moore 2nd and John Dwyer 3rd.

Rotax over 35’s with one of the biggest fields of the day saw Graham Acreman “Akkaz” set the pace in qualifying over Karting icon Gerry Brookes in P2 with David Rotstein in P3.  The racing in the over 35’s was spectacular all day to say the least.  Gerry Brookes hit the lead early showing why he is the current over 35’s National Champion.  After a DNF in an earlier heat Akkaz had his work cut out for him starting out of P5 for the final.  With a stellar drive he worked his way up to 3rd to finish just behind Shane Karandrews.  Final result was Gerry Brookes 1st, Shane Karandrews 2nd and Graham Acreman 3rd

Above: Rotax Over 35s, Gerry Brookes the winner

Jnr Max at the time of writing qualifying information was not at hand.  The racing however was sensational from these young drivers to say the least.  The final result for the day was Jack Howard 1st taking home an awesome $300 Everlast watch thanks to the team at Inter City Group, Jordan Lloyd 2nd and Joshua Crossingham 3rd.

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 on and off the track, and in turn delivering awesome racing action for the supporters and spectators. I would personally like to thank Robbie Daniels for all of his work on sponsorship for this years event and without him there would have been no Over 35’s”.

Above: Trent Moore leads the Heavies

Competitors are eyeing the next rounds in the Challenge to be held at Lismore Kart Club on 5th April and then Cooloola Coast 10th May.  Lismore is the last chance to get on board for the Challenge with event registrations closing.  If you are thinking about it, just do it, as this is what kart racing is all about and also presents a great learning and networking opportunity to newcomers to the sport.

Round 2            Lismore Kart Club                      5th April – Final chance to Register
Round 3            Cooloola Kart Club                    10th May
Round 4            Toowoomba Kart Club               19th July
Round 5            Ipswich Kart Club                      2nd August

A big thanks to all our series sponsors Inter City Group, French Connection and Playboy Time, Work Force International, Custom Decals, Rotax, Totalkarting.com.au, Concrete Pumps Online, Sensational Surfers, Innode Joinery, Aurora Racing, BPM Construction, the drivers and the members of the Warwick Kart Club for a great weekend.

Above: Junior MAX grid

Above: Junior MAX winners

Above: Junior Heavy grid

Above: Rotax Heavy winners, Yarwood wearing the victory grin

Above: Rotax Light action

Above: Damien Ward, Rotax Light winner, holds the $250 winners cheque

Above: Over 35s grid

Above: Over 35s race start

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