Round 1, Australian Kart Championship


  8 February 2016

The 2016 Australian Kart Championship opened at Dubbo on the weekend.

  • Lots of photos from the event are in an album on the series' Facebook page HERE
  • Full results on CMS HERE
  • Videos can be found further down this page
  • Full championship points are underneath the videos

 

AKC press release

Shamick Racing’s Leigh Nicolaou was the story of the weekend’s opening round of the Australian Kart Championship, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE, staging a last to first blitzkrieg around the Dubbo Karting Circuit.

Difficulty during the heat racing forced the Victorian from the rear of grid of the final and within the first couple of laps he’d advanced from 30th to halfway through the field. After five laps and Nicolaou broached the top 10 it delivered belief into his camp that he could perhaps chase a podium.

That became a belief of a win when he was lapping six tenths faster than the leading five karts and then pushed his way forward eventually taking the lead with two laps left to go. Whilst all eyes were on Nicolaou, Australian Champion Daniel Rochford and Morgan Feast were having a terrific battle up front unawares of the charge coming from behind. Feast had got to the lead only to see the #4 range up on him and then deny what would have been a certain victory.


Above: After multiple heat DNFs, Leigh Nicolaou charged through the entire field in the X30 final
pic - Coopers Photography

Making a return to the top step of the KZ2 Australian Championship podium was Gold Coaster Chris Hays. The new BirelART driver was the beneficiary of an early race move from David Sera. South Aussie Daniel Price led the race early whilst Sera had to charge from third. He made a deep move at the second last turn and tapped Price, which dropped Price to third and pushed Sera back to ninth.

That opened the door for Hays to sweep to the lead. Price didn’t give up though and setup a thrilling final stanza where the unheralded GP Karts driver pushed the former Aussie Champ right to the finish, just two tenths separating the pair at the end.


Above: Chris Hays was back to the top of the podium in KZ2
pic - Coopers Photography

Former Kiwi Champion, Ryan Grant fired his way forward to finish third on track in his MadCroc after a somewhat quiet weekend by his own lofty standards due to mechanical issues early in the weekend.

CompKart driver, Harrison Hoey took his maid KA2 Championship win in dramatic fashion. He had the pace from the final heat race that he also took out and he didn’t look like being headed. He crossed the line 3.2 seconds in front of Lachlan Hughes, however Hughes received a time penalty for a startline infringement, which elevated Jack Winter up to second - a terrific result for the Sydneysider - and meant Victorian, Angelo Mouzouris collected a podium on debut in the category.

Reece Sidebottom (Kosmic) continued his form of Saturday to win the KA1 Final by some 1.3 seconds. Dutchman, Marijn Kremers kept him honest for much of the race before falling into the clutches of Scott Sorensen. No matter what the HDR Arrow pilot did he couldn’t get past the Ricciardo Kart driver and settled for third.


Above: Reece Sidebottom, victorious on his debut in seniors and KA1
pic - Coopers Photography

In the battle of the Shamick Racing CRG’s in Cadet 12, it fell the way of Kai Allen. The Lifestyle-supported driver took the win after an immense battle with James Wharton. The pair swapped the lead at various stages of the 16 lap finale. In the end Allen was able to position his kart to get in front of Wharton on the final lap and had enough of a gap to record a 0.379 second win.

South Aussie Blake Purdie brought his Nippy’s Fruit Juices Zanardi Kart up to a terrific third.  After qualifying 18th, Purdie had to work hard across the five races passing a total of 67 karts before making his way onto the podium.
Jamroc Racing’s Travis Worton took his first AKC victory in KA4 Junior after being undefeated since the first heat yesterday. Perhaps his easiest victory came in the final when he came home 2.7 seconds in front of Oscar Priest. Priest had been embroiled in a battle with third placed man Broc Feeney and Jay Hanson. Benito Montalbano led the race early on but dropped back to fifth in his PCR.


Above: The Cadet 12 podium
pic - Coopers Photography

In TaG 125, Brendan Nelson (FA Kart) opened his 2016 account in the best possible fashion with a five second victory over Joshua Car (CompKart). Car had to come from 11th on the grid and was able to leapfrog Mitchell Hewitt for the second podium position.

Local Dubbo Kart Club drivers Joseph Tighe and Dean O’Brien recorded the KA3 Senior quinella with less than a second separating the pair at the end of 20 laps. Matt McLean put together a great race to come home third, whilst female racer Beck Connell finished in fourth position after a great weekend.

The rampage of Emerald (Qld) racer Carter Mobbs in the Cadet 9 class was clear - winning every race in comfortable fashion. The battle for second was a cracker between Ben Holliday and Toby Dvorak.

The next round of the Championship will be conducted March 25-27 at Hume International Raceway, Puckapunyal.

2016 AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - Dubbo, NSW
RESULTS: Top Five

Cadet 9
1. Carter Mobbs (QLD)
2. Ben Holliday (SA)
3. Tony Dvorak (Victoria)

Cadet 12
1. Kai Allen (SA)
2. James Wharton (Victoria)
3. Blake Purdie (SA)

KA4 Junior
1. Travis Worton (NSW)
2. Oscar Preist (NSW)
3. Broc Feeney (QLD)

KA2
1. Harrison Hoey (QLD)
2. Jack Winter (NSW)
3. Angelo Mouzouris (Victoria)

KA3 Senior
1. Joseph Tighe (NSW)
2. Dean O'Brien (NSW)
3. Matthew McLean (Victoria)

TaG 125
1. Brendan Nelson (QLD)
2. Joshua Car (NSW)
3. Mitchell Hewitt (NSW)

X30
1. Leigh Nicolaou (Victoria)
2. Morgan Feast (SA)
3. Daniel Rochford (Victoria)

KA1
1. Reece Sidebottom (Victoria)
2. Marijn Kremers (QLD)
3. Scott Sorensen (QLD)

KZ2
1. Chris Hays (QLD)
2. Daniel Price (SA)
3. Ryan Grant (NZ)

 

Videos: Australian Kart Championship, round 1


Above: Presentations


Above: Sunday's Finals


Above: Heat 3 (KA1 and KZ2), plus Heat 4 for all classes


Above: MG Tyre Change Challenge

Above: Fast Five with Sam Houston


Above: Fast Five with Declan Fraser


Above: Fast Five with Chris Hays


Above: Reece Sidebottom interview

 

Championship points after round 1 of 5

Cadet 9
1 Carter MOBBS 75
2 Ben HOLLIDAY 49
5 Ryan TOMSETT 36
3 Costa TOPARIS 31
4 Toby DVORAK 31
6 Dominic ATTARD 27
7 Fraser CARR 25
8 Jett COTTER 23
9 Marshall CROFTS 19
9 Leon CORDATO 18
11 Harry ARNETT 9
12 Sebastian MANSON 0

Cadet 12
1 Kai ALLEN 69
2 James WHARTON 52
3 Blake PURDIE 37
4 Rhys SMITH 34
5 William SEAL 32
5 Adrian HAAK 32
7 Kobi WILLIAMS 29
8 Hugh BARTER 23
9 Brody SONTER 16
10 Fletcher HARRIS 14
11 Samuel CHRISTISON 11
12 Oscar TARGETT 8
13 Aaron OLIVER 5
14 Will HARPER 4
14 Joshua SARGENT 4
14 Cody MAYNES-RUTTY 4
17 Josh HAYNES 3
17 Marcos FLACK 3
17 Ty SPENCER 3
17 Troy FORTANIER 3
17 Tex STARR-MCKOY 3
21 Jobe STEWART 2
21 Max DEGUARA 2
22 Joseph FAWCETT 1
22 Beau PRONESTI 1
22 Tom DRANE 1
25 Zaiden BARRY 0
25 Christian MANSELL 0
25 Christian COWIE 0
25 Kyle COTTER 0
25 Jack LAWSON 0
25 Adam TOMSETT 0
25 Liam SCEATS 0
25 Shannon MORTLOCK 0
25 Jamie CHRISTISON 0
25 Beau RUSSELL 0
25 Christopher CHRISTENSEN 0
25 Makk O’NEILL 0
25 Noah SANDS 0
25 Jonathon MARCUSSON 0
25 Nicholas SACCO 0
25 Kai WALKER 0
25 James PISZCYK 0
25 Kent FIAS-AYON 0

KA4 Junior
1 Travis WORTON 73
2 Jay HANSON 51
3 Oscar PRIEST 48
4 Benito MONTALBANO 43
5 Broc FEENEY 41
6 Cooper WEBSTER 33
7 Cody BURCHER 26
8 Zac CRICHTON 12
8 Joshua SMITH 12
10 Tyler EVERINGHAM 11
11 Rhys KEMP 8
11 Darcy INWOOD 8
11 Beau HARRIS 8
14 Samuel DOWNING 7
15 Kynan BROOKS 5
16 Blake FARDELL 4
17 Declan MATTHEWS 3
18 Thomas SARGENT 1
18 Adam Jr SLATTERY 1
18 Jai BROWN 1
21 Reuben GOODALL 0
21 Lachlan DALTON 0
21 Russell MAYO 0
21 Casey CLEAVER 0
21 Blayke WAGNER 0
21 Mia BOLTON 0
21 Angus WALLACE 0
21 Lachlan MINEEFF 0
21 Nathaniel HARRISON 0
21 Kurtis READ 0
21 Skaife WARD 0
21 Tommy HARRADINE 0
21 Brayden EVERITT 0
21 Zac ZAMPROGNO 0
21 Nicholas SCHEMBRI 0
21 Mak HOLDEN 0
21 Zachary HEARD 0
21 Jackson BURTON 0
21 Tate FROST 0
21 Emerson HARVEY 0
21 Jackson SOUSLIN-HARLOW 0
21 Ryan JENKINS 0

KA2
1 Harrison HOEY 59
2 Lachlan HUGHES 42
3 Jack DOOHAN 37
4 Broc FEENEY 35
5 Dylan HOLLIS 29
6 Cody BREWCZYNSKI 28
6 Jack WINTER 28
8 Ryan SUHLE 19
8 Angelo MOUZOURIS 19
9 Jace MATTHEWS 18
10 Zak HUDSON 16
11 Cameron LONGMORE 11
12 Antonio ASTUTI 9
13 Luke WANLESS 8
13 Taine VENABLES 8
13 Nathan HADLOW 8
16 Christian PANCIONE 7
17 DAMON PAPASERGIO 6
18 Jackson CALLOW 4
19 Thomas TURNER 2
20 Thomas SMITH 0
20 Valentino ASTUTI 0
20 Flynn JACKES 0

KA3 Senior
1 Dean O’BRIEN 53
2 Joseph TIGHE 52
3 Matthew MCLEAN 37
4 Beck CONNELL 35
5 Cody DONALD 29
6 Jordan NICOLAOU 28
7 Luke WRIGLEY 23
8 Justin FRANCIS 22
9 Matthew WATERS 21
10 Harrison CARR 16
10 Declan FRASER 16
12 James LITZOW 13
13 James O’MALLEY 11
14 Sarah COLLINS 10
15 Nicholas RILEY 8
16 Brett ROBINSON 7
17 Kody GARLAND 4
18 Robert THORBURN 2
18 Toby POPE 2
18 Michael RILEY 2
21 Thomas DAVIES 1
21 Raith SHEERANS 1
21 Jarva SHEERANS 1
21 Jacque ISARIN 1
21 Matthew PIPER 1
26 Luke MAY 0
26 Tyler DOWTON 0
26 Hamish RIBARITS 0
26 Trevor WHITBY 0
26 Cory ARNETT 0
26 Lucas WALTERS 0
26 Nathan CARR 0
26 Melissa WHITMORE 0
26 Luke GRASSO 0
26 Jason SEVERINO 0
26 Jack O’SULLIVAN 0

TaG 125
1 Brendan NELSON 67
2 Joshua CAR 42
3 Luke VAN HERWAARDE 39
4 Mitchell HEWITT 35
4 Bryce DAVIDSON 35
6 Brooke REDDEN 31
7 Hamish RIBARITS 25
8 Kody GARLAND 23
9 Damon SCHOFIELD 22
10 Nicholas DALTON 17
11 Shane KUBACKI 16
12 Rick PRINGLE 12
13 Alexander RINALDI 9
14 Joshua THOMAS 7
15 David BOYD 6
16 Scott WITHERS 3
16 Ali ULUTURK 3
17 Elly MORROW 2
18 Samuel MORROW 1
18 Toby WEBB 1

X30
1 Daniel ROCHFORD 62
2 Morgan FEAST 56
3 Adam LINDSTROM 40
4 Shay MAYES 34
5 Zac SOUTAR 26
6 Adam MERCER 26
7 Leigh NICOLAOU 25
8 Marijn KREMERS 21
9 Tommy QUINLAN 14
10 Brenton SIMONDS 12
10 Toby POPE 12
10 Nathan ZUJ 12
13 Ben HARDERS 11
14 Bradley STEWART 10
15 Brody APPLEBY 6
15 Thomas MCCULLOCH 6
17 Jordi MARCON 4
17 Russel PROVAN 4
17 Bryce DAVIDSON 4
20 Matthew DISTILL 3
20 Alex BAKER 3
22 Ben STEWART 2
22 Luke FLYNN 2
24 John SHEPPARD 1
25 Byron WOOLNER 0
25 Nariko MCDONNELL 0
25 Graham PRAJBISZ 0
25 Christopher PROVAN 0
25 Franc ASPINALL 0
25 Leon MRAMOR 0

KA1
1 Reece SIDEBOTTOM 75
2 Marijn KREMERS 55
3 Liam MCLELLAN 38
4 Scott SORENSEN 36
4 Marc TULLOCH 36
6 Thomas STEELE 33
7 Daniel EDMONDS 25
8 Harrison KNIGHT 19
9 Brock LANNOY 13
10 Ben STEWART 3
11 Blaine DENSLEY 0

KZ2
1 David SERA 57
2 Daniel PRICE 51
3 Christopher HAYS 49
4 Joshua FIFE 38
5 Jonathon MANGOS 31
6 Jaie ROBSON 25
7 Troy LOESKOW 24
8 Troy WOOLSTON 22
9 Ryan GRANT 21
10 Jason PRINGLE 19
11 Drew RIDGE 16
12 Pierce LEHANE 9
13 Matthew SMITH 8
14 Jason FAINT 6
15 Graeme SMYTH 6
16 Aaron CAMERON 4
17 Benjamin REDJEPI 3
18 Sam HOUSTON 2
18 Kris WALTON 2
20 Jarryd EBZERY 1
20 Lachlan SACCARDO 1
20 Mathew ERDMANN 1
20 Kyle ENSBEY 0
20 Rory EVANS 0
20 Tim FARRELL 0
20 Stelios TRIANTAFILLIDIS 0
20 Jack WESTCOMBE CASEY 0
20 Mitchell MACKAY 0

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