Rochford On Pole For Pre-Final

press release

Victorian Daniel Rochford has upstaged his more fancied rivals during qualifying day in the 11th Annual Rotax Nationals hosted by the Geelong Karting Club in Victoria today.

Daniel RochfordThe Gillard driver (right, AF Images/Budd pic) was undefeated throughout the day to secure pole position for tomorrow morning’s pre-final where he will be joined on the front row by five-time, and defending, Rotax Light champion David Sera.

“It’s definitely all gone to plan today, but tomorrow is a new day and with such high quality of competition out there like Dave and Josh (Hart) it’s going to be a tough day,” said Rochford.

“Dave has dominated the Rotax Nationals over the past few years, so I think he’ll be tough to beat tomorrow – as will Josh, who was my team-mate when we both raced in Europe during 2008.

“I’ve had a little bit of success here at Geelong during my junior days – hopefully it can be kind to me again tomorrow.”

After finishing runner-up in his opening two heat races, New Zealand driver Joshua Hart broke through for victory in his final heat race to secure a second row starting spot for the pre-final.

Two wins apiece for pre-race favourite Joseph Mawson and fellow Sydneysider Joseph Burton-Harris has ensured they will share the front row for tomorrow’s pre-final of Junior Max.

Mawson (left, AF Images/Budd pic) will start on pole position aboard his Kart 1-prepared Arrow kart with the Smart Device-backed Burton-Harris alongside of him.

Jaxon Evans showed some strong speed throughout the day before taking out the final heat with the Juce Superfruit Drink-backed driver of James Golding the only other driver to be victorious throughout the six heat races.

“Everything has been pretty good today and I’m excited about what tomorrow holds,” said Mawson.

“I’ve won two National Championships before but never a Junior Max title, hopefully tomorrow will be my day

“Judging on today’s effort I think Joseph Burton-Harris will be the driver to be tomorrow if I’m going to be victorious.”

Victorians are dominating the Rotax Heavy ranks with Troy Woolston (below, AF Images/Budd pic) , Lee Mitchener and Matthew Wall leading the way.

Mitchener, driving for the Col Watts-led Team RacePrep outfit this weekend, set the fastest time in qualifying before going on to win the opening 16-lap heat race. Woolston claimed the second one before Wall showed superior speed to cross the line first in the final encounter.

Other pole sitters for tomorrow morning’s pre-final will be John Bailey (Rotax Over 35’s), Anton de Pasquale (Junior Max Heavy) and Kyle Ensbey (DD2).

To view a notebook of some of the behind the scenes information please click here.

All the action can be followed via the Australian Karting Association’s Twitter account (@karting_net_au) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/AustralianKartingAssociation) along with the CM:S timing system (https://app.austkarting.com.au/aka/results/) and IKD’s Twitter account (@RotaxProTour) throughout the weekend.

Home

© kartsportnews.com