Connell's Encouraging Start

Beck Connell

Heading into this year’s Australian Karting Championship, Beck Connell set the goal of a top-five finish in the final point standings, and she made great strides towards that by ending up fourth in the opening round at Dubbo’s Lincoln County Raceway in western NSW recently.

The 22-year-old female racer from Queanbeyan in NSW endured a mixed run throughout her four qualifying heat races in the KA3 Senior class, but still managed to start the final from position six out of a 36-kart field. In the 20-lap final, she was able to make progress from the outset and by the middle stages was challenging for a podium finish, but in the end had to settle for fourth at the fall of the chequered flag.

“I came away from the opening round very satisfied with my result,’ commented Connell.

“Prior to the weekend, I was able to do some testing at the Dubbo circuit, and that, along with the support of my mechanic Shayne Piper, played a massive part in being able to come out at the Australian Championship opening round at the circuit and be a top-five contender.”

Connell on by saying that this opening round performance has laid a strong foundation for her top-five Australian Championship hopes.

“The goal for this year is to finish up in the top-five of the overall point standings,” she enthused.

“If I can build on my opening round result, then I’m confident I can continue this consistency and contend for spots on the podium and then see where I end up in the overall point standings.”

Earlier in the weekend, Connell ended up her opening heat race back in 14th. After qualifying fourth, she was innocently involved in an opening lap accident that saw her drop back to 21st before she fought her way back to finish in 14th. In the remaining three heat races, she finished with a fifth and a pair of fourth places.

The second round of the Australian Championship is going to be held on the weekend of March 26 and 27 at Puckapunyal’s Hume International Raceway in central-western Victoria.

Connell would like to thank her parents, Angela and Mark, and also Shayne Piper from Shayne Piper Race Engines for all of their support.

To find out more about Connell and to follow her racing, LIKE her on Facebook by searching Beck Connell.