SENSATIONAL START TO AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP

The stacked grids in all classes produced some of the best racing seen on the national calendar for some time (Pic: Coopers Photography)

The new look Australian Kart Championships, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE got underway with a bang at Melbourne’s Todd Road today, with sensational racing right across the board.

The stacked grids in all classes produced some of the best racing seen on the national calendar for some time, particularly the new KA classes utilising the KA100 IAME Reedjet engine.

The Championships had a huge shot in the arm this morning with the announcement that Holden would be the naming rights partner of the new-for-2015 JC Kart team established by V8 Supercars Clipsal 500 winner, James Courtney.

Holden Kart Team lead driver, 2013 Junior KF3 Champion, Liam McLellan has been the dominant force in KF2, setting pole position in the Jayco Shootout and then winning both heat races.

He has been kept honest by both Scott Sorenson and Josh Tynan – who finished second in heat two after a non-finish in the opening stanza.

The KA Junior category was a battle between Cory Arnett and Jack Doohan. The pair continually traded places throughout the two races today with Angelo Mouzouris and Blake Fardell also chiming in.

In the KA1 ranks, no clear leader has been established with Mathew McLean and Leigh Nicolaou sharing honours. Multiple Australian Champions, James Sera and Matt Wall are positioning themselves to be part of the podium conversation when it gets down to pay day tomorrow.

In a field heavily stacked, Justin Francis was the surprise pole man and he was battling with Matthew McLean and Braydon North, both of whom produced standout performances.

KA12 - which uses the Vortex Mini-Rok motor produced an outstanding lead battle that included up to 12 competitors at some stages. (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Another new category – KA12 – which uses the Vortex Mini-Rok motor produced an outstanding lead battle that included up to 12 competitors at some stages. Blake Purdie set the pole and was heavily in the mix with Cooper Webster, Jay Hanson and Emerson Harvey.

In the TaG category, local racer Adam Lindstrom has had the perfect weekend, setting the pole time and convincingly winning both heat races in his Formula K kart.

He has been pushed all the way by his fellow Melbourne local, Rick Pringle and Dean Foster – debuting a Ricciardo Kart this weekend.

In X30, it has been Brad Jenner and Daniel Rochford who have shared the opening heat wins. The Victorian drivers continue to carve a profile for themselves in the sport through solid performances at major events and this weekend is no exception.

Brendan Nelson – doing double duty this weekend – along with Aaron Hindle are keeping the pair honest.

The KF3 class has delivered a surprise with young Victorian Oscar Piastri dominant in proceedings thus far. Taking the pole position in qualifying, he backed that up with a pair of race victories this afternoon. Deadly Kart driver, Dylan Hollis led for much of the second heat, however a technical issue in heat one will position him further back for the first final tomorrow.

Others to standup in the huge KF3 field include Joshua Denton, Reece Sidebottom and Cooper Murray.

The KZ2 Gearbox category has seen a return to the winner’s circle for 2012 Champion, Chris Hays. After an uncharacteristically quiet 2014 season, Hays bounced back with a win in the opening heat while Jason Pringle led home a train of four karts in the second race.

Matt Wall leading the KZ2 field at the Australian Kart Championship (Pic: Coopers Photography)

A rejuvenated Matt Wall brought his VemmeKart into calculations – Castrol EDGE Shootout winner, Troy Woolston and Queenslander Jason Faint are all within striking distance.

V8 Supercars star, Nick Percat had a difficult run throughout the two heats today – after starring yesterday in practice, he qualified ninth, however was shown no mercy by the Australian Kart Championships KZ2 regulars.

Tomorrow, all categories will start with their third round of heats before a lengthy final, to crown the first round winner of the Australian Kart Championships presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE.

Overall, the day has been a success – the future of Australian karting has arrived with a bang!

All results are available here karting.net.au/cms/results/view/AUSTRALIA/KA/2015-04-03/

Livestream of all races on Sunday will be available from 9:00am AEST am on www.karting.net.au.