Top End Titles On The Line This Weekend
AKA press release
With the sound of the V8 Supercars still ringing in the ears of many Territorians, they don’t have to look far for their next dose of motorsport fever.
This weekend many of the top karting drivers from around Australia will converge on the Hidden Valley Kart Track to contest the 2011 Northern Territory State Championships.
While the event has always been a popular one for drivers from the Southern states, this year’s event will see many drivers heading North to gain valuable practice ahead of the National Championships to be held at the venue next year.
Two such drivers include South Australian Luke Marquis (right, pic - AF Images/Carruthers) and New South Wales driver Matthew Waters.
When he lines up on the grid this weekend, Marquis will be aiming to secure a rare Queensland/Northern Territory double. Last weekend, the 15 year-old broke through to claim his maiden State Championship in Warwick at the Queensland event before hitting the road and heading on a 3,400 kilometre road trip to Darwin.
“While I’ve never been to Darwin, everyone tells me that it is a great event and it has a fantastic atmosphere,” said Marquis.
“The track track looks awesome and even though the numbers aren’t as big as some other major events, there’s a lot of quality drivers in there and the racing should be pretty exciting.”
Waters, a dual national champion, was victorious in the Clubman Light category at the corresponding event in 2009 ahead of Matthew Panella and current Fujitsu Series V8 Supercar driver Scott McLaughlin.
“I’ve only competed in Darwin once before and it was probably the best time I’ve ever had at a major race meeting,” said Waters.
“Everyone is there to take it seriously but there doesn’t seem to be the high tension that we see at other state championships around the country. We’re all there to win but have a good time as well.
“The last time I was there it was a well run event and I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”
A total of 128 entries across ten categories have been received for the event. Practice begins tomorrow (Thursday) with qualifying and the heat races to be contested on Saturday followed by the championship finals on Sunday.
The Hidden Valley Kart Track is part of the Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex in Berrimah.
Entry List - 2011 NORTHERN TERRITORY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Hidden Valley, NT
MIDGETS
05 Keelan Edwards
5 James Howe
6 Ryan Roman
8 Ethan Patience
9 Mason Patience
11 Jackson Rees
12 Kasey Fullwood
14 Brock Kenny
15 Jack Harders
16 Cooper Murray
18 Cody Brewcztnski
27 Kale Quinlan
31 Harrison Avery
41 Thomas Lamb
46 Eloise Avery
55 Jack Winter
72 Samuel Dicker
78 Aaron Love
95 Joshua Davey
97 Harrison Hoey
98 Alec Morse
ROOKIES
5 Thomas Schou
7 Jordan Love
11 Samuel Boley
15 Thomas Maxwell
17 Alison Lamb
18 Ben Harders
30 Joshua Wood
34 Alexander Barboutis
47 Matthew Want
53 Jordan Smith
54 Jordan Pianezzola
56 Jake Kostecki
58 Jeremiah Sheehan
61 Matthew Sealy
64 Lachlan Chilton
70 Ryan Patterson
77 Jason Betts
92 Shae Thomson
96 Nikola Mitic
99 Zane Morse
JUNIOR NATIONAL LIGHT
2 Tyler Morrison
5 Thomas Harders
6 Jake Klein
10 Jake Smith
11 Filip Kapitula
12 Brock Boley
15 Damon Strongman
16 Bryce Fullwood
20 Joshua Buggy
23 Lachlan McHugh
25 Jordan Murphy
34 Luke Marquis
51 Thomas Howe
54 Jayden Meckenstock
55 Kurt Kostecki
85 Brodie Green
89 Blake Adcock
96 Nathan Norman
TBA Ben Jennings
JUNIOR NATIONAL HEAVY
1 Anton De Pasquale
2 Ryan Johnstone
4 James Allen
5 Damon Strongman
14 Todd Hazelwood
16 Nicholas Rowe
18 Michael Potter
21 Christopher Anthony
23 Chad Pittard
43 Thomas McSherry
70 Tayla Dicker
83 Matthew Grant
97 Bayley Mickler
8P Connor Luck
JUNIOR CLUBMAN
1 Jesse Elliott
6 Jake Klein
14 Todd Hazelwood
16 Nicholas Rowe
34 Luke Marquis
55 Kurt Kostecki
86 Anton De Pasquale
JUNIOR MAX
2 Ryan Johnstone
4 James Allen
7 Jesse Elliott
12 Brock Boley
16 Nicholas Rowe
21 Christopher Anthony
32 Joseph Burton-Harris
34 Luke Marquis
CLUBMAN LIGHT
4 Simon Hodge
9 Jacob Parsons
10 Christopher Gatt
11 Matthew Panella
13 Matthew Waters
14 Sarah Driscoll
19 Michael Moore
28 Boe Beuaglehole
30 Royce Nott
36 Nathan Davis
41 Daniel Holihan
55 Kyle Gear
57 Denny Nott
72 Joshua Page
74 Magdelaine Breed
93 Kevin Norman
97 John-Daniel Luke
CLUBMAN HEAVY
7 Adam Levi
20 Kip Foster
41 Simon Hodge
63 Darren Chilton
65 Craig Willis
68 Kris Walton
71 Daniel Nolan
76 Sparky Marquis
77 Daniel Baker
CLUBMAN SUPER HEAVY
1 Stuart Verco
6 Brett Jenkin
9 Ashley Pittard
20 Lee Foster
22 Adam Hughes
52 Jake Meyer
LEOPARD LIGHT
2 Adam Garnaut
30 Royce Nott
57 Denny Nott
68 Kris Walton
80 Patrick Hamon
TBA Daniel Leather
