NSW Northern Zone Leopard Series, Final Round

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The 5th and FINAL ROUND round of the NSW Northern Zone LEOPARD QUALIFYER was held in conjunction with the ALLAN COX CUP at Tamworth on 20/09/09. The weather was great all weekend and the racing was even better.

Above: Leopards at Tamworth

Unfortunately a couple of the leading drivers were unable to race due to other commitments. It was going to be a showdown with Scott Conole and Adam Sharam as these drivers had not raced together in the series yet but both had won their separate rounds in the series.  Adam had a baby on the way which gives good reason to miss a Kart meeting but Scott Conole had a 'poor excuse' as he had won a HOTLAP with the SUPERCHEAP RACING TEAM at the Holden Driving School in QLD Lucky Bugger! Even the low numbers at Tamworth for the final round of the series did not hinder the exiting racing between the drivers on the day, and everyone had a fun weekends racing.

Leopard Light class still had Gary Ellis, Danny Baldwin, Craig Masters and Ian Gailer also “The old bloke” Max Thornhill was competing and just out of TAG restricted was Aron Thornhill and Paul Hull and Barry Fisher had to fight it out for 1st place in Heavies.

Leopard Light Heat -1

The racing began with Max Thornhill off pole getting the jump off the lights followed by Danny Baldwin and Gary Ellis close behind. Danny Baldwin managed to pass the “Old Bloke” down the straight on lap 3 but his feat was short lived as “The Old Bloke” managed to dive under him on the small sweeper 2 laps from the end to regain the lead and hold it until the finish.

1st Max Thornhill
2nd Danny Baldwin
3rd Gary Ellis
4th Aron Thornhill
5th Ian Gailer
Craig Masters DNF.

Leopard Light Heat - 2

Off pole position was Craig Masters followed by Aron Thornhill, Max Thornhill on grid 3, Danny Baldwin on 4, Gary Ellis on 5, and Ian Gailer on 6. With the lights green Aron went to the lead followed by Craig and the others as per their grid positions. During the race the Thornhill’s had a “racing incident” with the “Old one” coming off second best. Unfortunately Danny Baldwin lost a nosecone somehow and got a DNF. This left Aron and Gary to fight it out to the end.

1st Gary Ellis
2nd Aron Thornhill
3rd Craig Masters
4th Ian Gailer
5th Max Thornhill
Danny DNF

Leopard Light Heat - 3
Off pole was Aron Thornhill followed by Gary Ellis on grid 2, Danny Baldwin on 3, Craig Masters on 4, Max Thornhill on 5 (Ian Gailer DNS). The racing started with Gary and Danny getting a good start passing Aron as he went a bit wide on the first corner followed by the rest of the field. The two front runners were having a great battle with Danny managing to pass Gary on the second last lap and holding the lead until the finish line with Gary 2nd, Max 3rd, Aron 4th and Craig 5th.

Above: on the grid for the pre-final

Leopard Light Final Heat

The race was anyones! with most drivers having good top placings through the heats. Gary Ellis was pole with Max Thornhill off grid 2, Danny Baldwin on 3, Aron Thornhill on 4, Craig Masters on 5, and Ian Gailer on 6.  When the lights turned green “The Old Bloke” got the best start ever and hit the lead with Aron following into 2nd, “The pressure was on" Gary and Danny tried everything to get past Aron while “The Old Bloke” got further and further ahead. On lap five Gary managed to pass Aron and Danny a lap later, but it was just too late as the horse had bolted and they were unable  to run “The Old Bloke” down. Although still down on numbers in heavy and having to run with the light drivers, Paul Hull and Barry Fisher were also having their own battle in the meantime and putting in some hard laps pushing the light guys along.

Series Final Placings Leopard Light
1st (15) Max Thornhill /Azzurro M7X
2nd (7) Gary Ellis / Arrow X1
3rd (17) Danny Baldwin /Arrow X1
4th (8) Craig Masters / Arrow X1
5th (12) Aron Thornhill /Azzurro R6A
6th (8b) Ian Gailer / Gold Kart

Series Final Placings Leopard Heavy
1st (41) Paul Hull / Arrow X1
2nd (6) Barry Fisher /Monaco BMax


SERIES FINAL PRIZES WERE HANDED OUT AT PRESENTATION

A VERY BIG THANKYOU TO OUT SPONSORS
REMO RACING
1 x set MG Tyres FZ - Won by Paul Hull (Leopard)
1 x set MG Tyres FZ - Won by Aron Thornhill (Leopard)
1 x set KG DUO Bodywork - Won by Terry (Lepricorn) Sontag (TAG Restricted)
               
MASTER KARTS NSW TAMWORTH
1 x set MG Tyres FZ - Won by Danny Baldwin
1 x set MG Tyres FZ - Won by Max Thornhill
Bel- Ray Products Won by Barry Fisher

LISMORE KART CENTRE
SCM Race Suit Won by Gary Ellis
SCM Kit Bags
Kart Covers
Stubby Holders
All distributed between Leopard, Open and TAG Restricted drivers
               
AZZURRO KARTS
1 x Set 50mm Rear Wheel Hubs Won by Craig Masters

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