Rochester Kart Club Monthly Report – August 2009

by Hayden Dodman

August proved to be a very active month for members of the Rochester Kart Club with members travelling to Morwell, Albury & Melbourne.

It quickly became Peter Sloan’s month after taking out the ‘C’ Grade Titles at Morwell on the first weekend of August.  Peter competed hard in the Super Heavy Class, with not all races going his way.  Fortunately he was in fine form for the final and was successful in being the first kart over the line to receive the chequered flag.  Martin Gollege & Dylan McLellan were not too far behind joining Peter in the top ten.

Above: Aimee Sloan competing at the C-Grade Titles at Morwell recently

Echuca locals Mitchell McLellan, Aimee Sloan (both Junior National Heavy), & Sam Pearson (Clubman Light) also took the long journey down to Morwell, all proving to be extremely competitive with strong individual finishes.

The prestigious annual City of Melbourne Titles was held at Go Kart Club of Victoria (Todd Rd) in mid August in extremely wet and wild conditions.  A small but very competitive team of Rochester members pitted their country talent up against the best in Victoria and interstate. 

It was yet another rewarding weekend for local youngster, Reece Sidebottom put on a show for all spectators not just in the heats but also in the final .  Reece took first place displaying exceptional driving skills by taking out the event by more than the length of the straight to his nearest rival.  Tom Hughes also drove with great precision to finish just short of the top five on a very wet and slippery track.

Tom’s older brother James debuted in the Junior Heavy class, but unfortunately  experienced a few teething problems, however his pace in his main event, Junior National Light,  put him in the battle with the top seven.  James drove exceptionally well to finish a respectful sixth on a drying track.  Hayden Dodman didn’t experience the best of events only completing two of his four races in Junior National Heavy.  To his credit the races he did complete he demonstrated first-rate speed and driving capabilities to finish just short of the top five.

Later in the month the McLellan Family were the only representatives from the Rochester Kart Club who travelled over to Albury /Wodonga for the City of Wodonga Titles.  Shane, Dylan & Mitchell all enjoyed the challenges of the track and experienced personal bests.

The last Sunday in August saw close and fierce racing at the monthly club day meeting at the Rochester track. 

Rookie Class saw Michael Flynn finishing first, Kane Simons was close on his tail in second, with Rochester’s  newest member, Shaun Costello, being rewarded on his first race meeting, earning himself a place on the podium in third position.

Second up was Midget class, with little brother Jaydon Flynn taking line honours, Bendigo member Cory Arnett in second and Jarrod Roughley, kart No. 36, rounding out the top three.

 Junior National Light and Heavy were combined, seeing Hayden Dodman & Justin Perry finishing 1st & 2nd respectfully in each combined heat.  Final positions in Junior Light were Gus Robbins 1st, Jack Jelbart 2nd & Rod Marshall 3rd.  Mitchell McLellan finished 3rd in Junior Heavy.

In Seniors it was fierce driving with multiple competitors not finishing all races.  At the end of the day‘s racing 1st places went to Christopher Dodman (Clubman Light)  Alan Stack (Clubman Heavy) & Martin Golledge (Clubman Super Heavy).  The minor placing on the podium went to 2nd Sam Pearson (Light), Darren Smith (Heavy) & Stephen Trahar (Super Heavy).  Great to see the club’s 2008 President, Stephen Morgan,  return to the track.

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