Stone & Zuj Win BOC Launceston Clubman Cup
| by Stuart Lee | 3 September 2013 |
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Launceston karter Troy Stone drove a superb race in the final of Clubman Heavy to win his first Clubman Cup.
After qualifying a disappointing seventh, Stone made his move in winning the pre final from grid five and then showed his real pace in the final to win from Devonport’s Brody Appleby and Hobart’s Jonathan McDonald.
Above: Start of the random-grid Clubman 'pro' race at the end of the day, Zane Wyatt (47) on pole alongside Allan Fitzpatrick (27) with Mitch Evans (66) and Daimon Shelton (1) on row two
pic - Brad Segda, Seggiesnaps
Clubman Light was a battle of two all day when three time Clubman Cup winner Nathan Zuj took on Damon Shelton a two time winner, the two Launceston karters put on a display of close intense racing throughout the heats and finals. Shelton grabbed the lead at the start of the last lap only to see Zuj regain the lead with a clean pass on the final corner to take Clubman Cup win number Four. Third was Hobart’s Nicky Richards.
Other Clubman Cup wins went to Steve Bricknell in Over 40’s Pro, Scott Wrigley in Clubman Super Heavy and Jacob Morris in Junior Clubman.
In the support races, young Hobart driver Jesse Keeling won his first open race meeting with a fine drive in the final to win from Devonport’s Ethan Wyllie and Launceston’s William Reeve. The Rookies final was a close battle between the Launceston quartet of Lachlan Dalton, Tate Frost, Kurtis Love, Justin Murphy and Hobart’s Brock Lamont. In the end it was Lamont that took the honours from Murphy and Love.
Above: Daimon Shelton ahead of Zane Wyatt
pic - Brad Segda, Seggiesnaps
Junior National Light was won in commanding fashion by Launceston’s Jackson Callow. Callow, who was competing in his first meeting as a junior, was untroubled all day winning the final by nearly 10 seconds. Callow was awarded Junior driver of the day for his fine effort. Second on the day was another Launceston driver who has also stepped up to Juniors in Andrew Lee, and rounding out the podium was Brodie Sward also of Launceston.
Junior National Heavy was also dominated by one drive when Devonport’s Wade McLean had a clean sweep of the day, winning from Launceston’s James Fitch and Hobart’s Liam O’Connor. Tag Restricted Light saw another three Launceston members clean sweep the podium when Andrew Sherriff took out the final from new comer Kayd Donnelly and Craig Phillips. Donnelly’s drive earned him senior Driver of the Day. The hard luck story however was Jarius Holmes who was set to win his first open meeting as a senior after winning 2 heats and starting from pole in the final only to have mechanical dramas early in the final resulting in a DNF. Tag Restricted Heavy was won by Smithton’s Daniel Hinds from Thomas Walter. Over 40’s pro and Super Heavy sore yet another domination by Launceston drivers when Stephen Johnstone won the pro and Scott Wrigley won Super Heavy from brother's Allan and Troy Sheahan.
The last race of the day was a Clubman pro race with 19 starters @ the pro weight of 150kg. The grid was determined by a lucky draw which saw Bec Wyatt pick pole for her brother Zane, joining Wyatt on the front row was Hobart’s Allan Fitzpatrick. From the outset Wyatt grabbed the lead whilst there was a bit of biff and barge back in the pack, Clubman Heavy winner Troy Stone charged his way through from grid seven to eventually finish 3rd however it was the runner up from Clubman Light Daimon Shelton that broke away from the pack and chased down Wyatt and took the win in a hard fought 20 laps final.
Above: Troy Stone with the Clubman Heavy Clubman Cup
The Launceston Kart Club also had up for grabs heaps of prizes for those who attended the race meeting with, Remo Racing providing two sets of MG Tyres, won by Jacob Morris and Aiden Shelton. Forty Seven kart Tuning donated a engine rebuild which was won by local Junior Caitlin Fitch and the top three from the Clubman Pro race shared in a $1000 worth of car stereo equipment from Auto Addiction in Launceston. The major Sponsor BOC Launceston also had lots of hats and beanie’s for those lucky winners.
pic - Brad Segda, Seggiesnaps
