SA Speedway Kart Champions Crowned At The Bullring
| from David Rea | 10 April 2016 |
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Known as ‘The Bullring’, Tolmer Speedway, Bordertown, an awesome country track near the Victorian border, has earned the respect of so many competitors from all speedway classes, can now add the drivers of the 2016 SKAA South Australian Speedway Kart Titles to its fan club.
A new venue to speedway karting, the track has left an indelible impression on those who challenged it this year, many already looking forward to their next opportunity to take it on.
Above: Lee Payne, Bob Latta and Michael Van Ginnekin form up
The racing was close and fast throughout the meeting, but as the day progressed and with the sun departing, the track really came into its own and showed all how it had gained its nickname, with all drivers expressing their enjoyment with the facility at the presentations following the event.
Quality fields contested the titles with several drivers staking their claim on the crowns on offer with early displays of their intentions during the opening rounds of racing. Multiple drivers would have their work cut out for them as they played musical chairs all day, jumping from seat to seat, class to class; several of these were to rack up well over 100 racing laps before the meeting was done.
Mildura’s in-form racer, Mitch Gladman, arrived at Bordertown with a strong chance to retain his 2015 crown in Standards, but would have to work to hold off strong challenges from Jason Loft and Tyson Martin. Always on the heels of the leaders, Colin Best, Corey Clifford and Trevor Raams could not be counted out. Gladman would take three heat wins to start the final from pole, sharing the front row with Loft; Martin and Best behind them. At the green, Gladman and Loft jumped into the first turn side by side, with little ground given by either, as they the race ran, nonstop, to the chequered. Martin, Raams and Best were always in the fight as they ran for the flag. In the end, Gladman chalked up his second SA title from Martin, Loft and Raams.
Above: Mitch Gladman's trophy haul
Adding crown number 2 to his haul, Gladman put in a commanding run in the Modified final to show a very clean pair of heels to National #1, Bob Latta, Jason Loft and David Best. Although the Modified final was the last race of the day, you would not know it as all ran as hard as if it were the first, even though most drivers had run in at least two classes at the meeting.
The Outlaws final too, was to see Gladman and Loft fight it out again, but a first lap incident involving Kelsey Allen brought proceedings to a halt after she made contact with the track fence and rolled. At the restart, Loft made the jump with Gladman coming off the back of the grid, but any thought Loft may have had of having an easier time of it were dashed as Gladman had a gun start and was soon on Loft’s tail and was making life very hard for him. However, at the end it was to be Loft from Gladman, who had taken the lead briefly from Loft during the race only to have to give it back almost immediately. Not far behind was Michael van Ginnekin in third and Alan Saint.
125cc Open, National champion, Lee Payne, opened his challenge on the day with a dominant display in the first heat. Tyson Martin made his claim known as well with both he and Payne sharing the heat wins. Chasing his first SA crown, Payne took his chance when it came and drove hard to open up a strong lead over Victorian champion, Bob Latta. Latta worked to close the gap on Payne but time ran out and a very happy Payne took the win. Latta held off a hard finishing Van Ginnekin and Darryl Dixon.
Above: Van Ginnekin holds out Gladman
As always, the Juniors were to provide some of the best racing of the day, and some ‘moments’ for the parents as no quarter was given as they all sought to be #1. Front runners Max Curran, Bailey Stevens, Todd Martin, Jac Laneyrie and Riley Amato would always be in the mix in the heats, but ‘their own’ little battles between the other runners held their own highlights. In a close fought final, where the lead changed often, it was Laneyrie who took the chequered from Martin, Amato and Stevens.
The ‘Stars of Tomorrow’, the Sub Juniors, took to the track also and competed for the non championship, Tolmer Trophy. Belying their stature and age, these pint-sized rockets race as hard as anyone and have more fun than most. With Dane Hakopa, Jamison and Austin Best constantly swapping the lead in the final, it came to Austin Best to take the win from Hakopa and sibling, Jamison. Further back, but trying just as hard, were more siblings in Jocelyn and Alan Garbutt. If we all had as much fun in our racing as these ambassadors, we would have no complaints.
Above: The Bullring, Tolmer Speedway, SA
Very happy with the day were the South Australian Speedway Kart Association and operators of the venue, Bordertown Speedway Club. Both clubs expressed their appreciation to the competitors, crews, families and officials for their efforts.