Final Shakedown For Qld Closed Championships
by John Grother
In only a few short weeks Gladstone Kart Club will be hosting the Queensland Closed State Championships at the South Trees complex. The Club hosted the final club meeting before the championships the other week and many drivers used the race meet as a final practise before the championships.
53 quality drivers from around the region went racing including several new faces having their first race which provided great entertainment for the gathered crowd. Visiting drivers took the spoils in the midget category with Bundaberg driver Joseph Black dominating with 3 wins ahead of Toowoomba youngster Cameron Shields and Rockhamptons Joel Jamieson taking the final spot on the podium. Gladstones Joel Curd put in a strong final race taking second on track narrowly missing out on podium on a points countback.
Above: Keith Buttler who has put a lot of effort into ensuring the upcoming State Championships will be a great success
Rookies class has strong representation from Gladstone drivers and never disapoints fine displays of close racing. Gladstone driver Jack Bussey continues his hot streak of performances winning overall for the day ahead of Mitch Bennett and Francis Dunnett who showed terrific bursts of speed and Sam Battye amongst the action. Emerald speedster Brock Owen was amnongst the action and a notable mention to Kayne Bycroft who was using a new kart who progressed well through the meeting getting faster as did Nick Butler.
TAG 100 (touch and go 100cc) always has good numbers and fast and furious racing. Benny Benedetto had his work cut out this weekend to keep his competitors behind him and the young Nathen Dunnett who is in sensational form of late put in some good races however 8th place in one othe heat races hurt his chances of taking the top spot overall for the day. That spot was awarded to Rae Fothergill who put in solid results in all 4 races to claim overall victory ahead of Dunnett and Benedetto taking third. Scott Pilcher who is rapidly improving showed he will be one to watch in the future in the TAG 100 class. Connor Robertson took his first victory for Junior Heavy with some consistant good laps beating home Bundaberg junior Rylee Walton. Clubman Light winner was Hayden Vock ahead of Bradley Vohland and Newcomer Jess StPierre who took home a trophy in her first meeting.
Above: Gladstone's fastest painter Dave Roberts is another dedicated worker of the Gladstone Kart Club
Craig Butler has weighted up to Clubman Heavy and took 4 wins in Clubman Heavy ahead of "out of retirement" Brock Tenbensel and Emerald driver Harleigh Baker. BJ Dau took it to the leaders earlier in the day but fell away of in the afternoon and the newcomers StPierre brothers of Jereme and Josh. Andrew Vessy-Brown will be aiming for a good result at the Qld titles with a strong performance in Clubman Super Heavy beating home fellow clubmenber George Cragie. Ian Wogandt Jnr took line honners from Travis Martin and Scott Christianson.
Gladstones fastest painter David Roberts was victorious in Rotax Heavy class ahead of John Krahenbring who diced for position all day. With much work needed to be done at the club before the titles will bring the gladstone facility back up to being one of the best facilitys in Qld.
The Queensland Gas QLD closed titles will be conducted over the 24th and 25 of September at the South Trees Complex with a full bar and canteen facilities and the club welcomes the public to check out the fast paced action of Kart Racing.
Above: Club Legend Benny Benedetto is always strong in TAG 100
Above: Rotax driver John Krahenbring
Above: Travis Martin brings it up to temp in Leopard Heavy (Brother of International Superleague Formula Driver John Martin)
Above: Ian "Squeely" Wogandt is again in good form.
Above: TAG 100 is always a crowd pleaser in Gladstone.
