Australian Schools Karting Championship Kicks Off
| 12 May 2014 |
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The inaugural Australian Schools Karting Championship kicked off in Melbourne on Sunday.
Hayden Berns from Staughton College was crowned 2014 ASKC Victorian Champion with Lilydale student Jarrod Dowthwaite second. The duo will represent Victoria at the National Round later this month.
The Victorian round was held on the Lakeside circuit at the LeMans Karting Centre in Dandenong. Three teams of three drivers ran a practice session and qualifying, then competed in a one hour race with driver changes taking place every ten minutes.
Above: Victorian round took place at LeMans Go Karts
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
The Victorian Teams:
- Team JJD: Lilydale
Jarrod Dowthwaite
Jesse Paternoster
Darcey Paternoster
- Staughton College:
Hayden Berns
Jack Simpson
Jack Mepstead
- Vicious Rumour Racing: Carey Baptist Grammar
Jordan Galli
Conor Christensen
Josh De Felice
Above: Lineup for qualifying
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
After 1 hour, 90 laps and 5 pit stops/driver changes per team, only 8 seconds separated the top 2 teams at the chequered flag. Results of the Victorian State Qualifying round (Endurance Race):
1. Team JJD - Lilydale
2. Staughton College
3. Vicious Rumour Racing - Carey Baptist Grammar
Above: Victorian Qualifier winning team from Lilydale - Darcy Paternoster, Jarrod Dowthwaite, Jesse Paternoster
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
The six drivers from the top two teams in the Endurance Qualifier then progressed to the ASKC Victorian State Championship Final. This consisted of a further qualifying session, pre-final and final race.
Final Result:
1. Hayden Berns - Staughton
2. Jarrod Dowthwaite - Lilydale
3. Jack Simpson - Staughton
4. Jack Mepstead - Staughton
5. Jesse Paternoster - Lilydale
6. Darcy Patternoster - Lilydale
Above: Hayden Berns (82) and Jarrod Dowthwaite going hard at it
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Kartschool Australia's Gerald Chait was thrilled to introduce karting into schools and get the series off the ground.
"From a numbers perspective, Victoria wasn't quite as high as we had hoped, more than likely due to it being held on Mothers Day" he told KartSportNews.
"However, we made a commitment to run the round and get the championship underway. And that we did."
Interest in the NSW and ACT round is far higher with around 50 students ready to do battle.
"In fact, we've had to split the NSW qualifier across two venues and over two days to cater for the number of schools competing" Chait said.
"The racing here was very close. Tough but very clean racing through the morning saw students quickly lapping at record pace.
Above: Driver change for Carey Baptist College
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
"A sensational drive by Hayden Berns from Staughton College saw him crowned inaugural 2014 ASKC Victorian Champion. Hayden's drive wasn't easy though, with Lilydale student Jarrod Dowthwaite hot on his heels and placing enormous pressure on him throughout the race.
"Jarrod also secured fastest lap of the race. Third place went to Jack Simpson from Staughton College who also drove a sensational race. "
- Coverage of the round will be aired on C31 Melbourne at 9.30pm on Wednesday night
Above: Kartschool Australia's Gerald Chait being interviewed by In Pit Lane's Brett Ramsey
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Thumbs-up before enduro race start
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Staughton College came 2nd in the enduro qualifier, but Hayden Berns (centre) won the state final
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Berns leaves no spare room
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Josh De Felice
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Conor Christenen ahead of Hayden Berns
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Vicious Rumour Racing / Carey Baptist Grammar drivers Josh De Felice, Conor Christensen & Jordan Galli
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Jesse Paternoster (42) lifts a wheel chasing Josh De Felice
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Jordan Galli
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
Above: Darcey Paternoster leads Jack Simpson and Jack Mepstead
pic - Mark Wicks, KartSportNews
