Tight Times In Qualifying for Qld ChampionshipsIt was a case of every thousandth of a second counting at the Sandy Creek Raceway, located just outside of Warwick, during qualifying at the Queensland Sprint Kart Championships today. Queensland pair James Macken (Gold Coast, QLD, pic right by AF Images) and Tyler Greenbury (Toowoomba, QLD) were separated by a mere 0.001 seconds at the top of the timesheets during qualifying in the 125cc Rotax Light category. Highlighting the competitiveness in the category, the next three of Ashley Quiddington (Ballarat, Vic), Bradley Jenner (Melbourne, Vic) and Michael Robson (Sydney, NSW) set times within 0.03 seconds of each other around the 993-metre circuit. “It’s extremely close, you can’t actually get any closer than Tyler and myself at the top of the timesheets,” said Macken. “We’ve had a bit of a rivalry going for a while now, so to get one up on him – even if it is only in qualifying – is a good feeling. “I knew I had some good speed to be able to up near the front but to snare pole position was a bit of a surprise. The competition in Rotax Light is very tough and I’m really looking forward to some great racing across the weekend. “The Warwick Kart Club have done a fantastic job getting the track to where it is and the recent extensions to the layout has been a great addition.” Forest Lake teenager Brock Plumb secured a pair of pole positions during today’s qualifying action. In his first major event aboard an Australian-made Arrow kart Plumb set the fastest time in Junior Clubman ahead of Mitchell Gee (Sunshine Coast, QLD) and Mawson. Plumb backed this performance up in Junior National Heavy when he outpaced National Champion Anton de Pasquale (Melbourne, Vic) and James Golding (Warragul, Vic). Fujitsu Cool Scholarship driver Joseph Mawson (Hinchenbrook, NSW, pic right by AF Images/Carruthers) snared pole position in the fastest Junior category – Junior Max. The Sydneysider was the only driver to break the 44-second bracket in the category with a time of 43.977 seconds. Toowoomba driver Sean Butcher qualified fastest in the Senior National Light division ahead of Darren Harris and Chris Farkas. In the Senior Clubman categories it was a Harrington Doyle Racing domination with Brooke Topp and James Greenwood claiming pole positions in the Clubman Light and Clubman Heavy categories respectively. Garry Humphries, Department of Communities Regional Manager – South West Region, and Rugby League Legend Shane Webcke officially opened the proceedings at the championships. Webcke, who was born in nearby Toowoomba and currently resides in Leyburn, was in awe of the championships. ”I’ve been coming past here (the Sandy Creek Raceway) my entire life but have never seen such a big event here – it is an amazing set-up,” said Webcke. “It is a real credit to the club and all of the volunteers who have put this event together. “As a local, you don’t even have to be a fan of motorsport to be a fan of this event and the flow on effect it is having for the local region.”
Webcke was also amazed by the sophistication in the karts and the speed in which they race around the Sandy Creek Raceway. “They really motor around here, it’s an amazing sight. I’ve been on the hire karts down in Brisbane a couple of times and they’re nothing like this,” said Webcke. Heat races started this afternoon and will continue throughout tomorrow with the championship finals to be contested on Sunday. The Sandy Creek Raceway is located on Sandy Creek Road, just outside of Warwick. Admission is free for spectators. Results are being posted on the AKA results system as soon as possible at the completion of every session. To view these results please click here, select QLD in the drop down menu followed by the Warwick Kart Club. 2011 Queensland Sprint Kart Championships, Warwick, QLD Qualifying – Top Five Junior Max Rotax Light Rotax Heavy Clubman Over 40’s Junior Clubman Senior National Light Clubman Super Heavy Leopard Heavy Junior National Heavy Clubman Light Senior National Heavy Midgets Junior National Light Leopard Light Clubman Heavy Rookies |
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