Northern Zone Leopard Qualifier, Round 3

from Max Thornhill

The Leopard guys travelled to Coffs Harbour on the weekend for the Tony Grant Kaos Karting, Master Karts sponsored 3rd round of the Northern Zone Leopard Qualifier.

The  weather was great and the Coffs Kart Club made us feel very welcome. We were down a few of the normal competitors due to Murphy’s Law, but the racing between the drivers who turned up was still very close and exciting.

In Leopard Light and coming into this meeting from  rounds 1 and  2, was Scott Connole who had 2 wins from 2, followed closely by Gary Ellis in 2nd. This meeting saw a new comer into the class by the name of Ash Willoughby who made the front runners take notice. Coming through the heats, the racing was very tight between Scott Connole, Ash Willoughby and Gary Ellis. Grid for the Final, Ash Willoughby starting on pole with Scott Connole 2nd, Gary Ellis 3rd and Craig Masters 4th making up the front 2 rows. With the starter giving the green light, Ash Willoughby held his front position with Scott Connole very close behind. With some excellent driving by Scott Connole he managed to pass Ash Willoughby in the 2 lap and then Ash chased Scott very closely until the end of the race with Gary Ellis  five kart lengths behind taking out 3rd.

The Leopard Heavy drivers unfortunately were small in numbers as we are finding it hard to get the big guys to race this class. Never the less, Paul 'big boy' Hull and Barry Francis Fisher put on a very fine display of racing. Paul Hull showed us how to get bogged in the middle of the track, then managed to bounce himself and his kart back on to the track - was most entertaining!

Leopard Light -   1st Scott Connole  (45)   BRM
                                2nd Ash Willoughby (62) BRM
                                3rd Gary Ellis        (7)   Birel
                                4th Craig Masters  (8)    Arrow
                                DNS Max Thornhill (Crook Back)
                                DNS Ian Gailer (Mechanical problems)
                                DNS Danny Baldwin (Brakes failed- New kart required)
                                DNS Mathew Berridge ( Lives in QLD)
                                DNS David Hobson (MIA)

Leopard Heavy - 1st Paul Hull              Arrow
                                2nd Barry Fisher       Monaco

We next travel to Dubbo in August (15+16) for round 4.  I would also like to thank our sponsors for their generosity in supplying the prizes, to be given out at the last round held at Tamworth in September (20th).

       Remo Racing- 2x sets MG yellows + 1 set Kart Plastics (Leopard Restricted )
       Lismore Kart Centre- Karting products
       Tony Grant Kaos Karting- Karting products
       Azzurro Karts- 1x pair 50mm rear hubs
       MASTERKARTS Tamworth- Karting products + MG yellows

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