3rd June 2023

DICKER ON THE TICKER, WHILE TITLE CONTENDERS TAKE HITS

Sam Dicker leading the way in Newcastle (Pic: Pace Images)

Sam Dicker has got his SP Tools Australian Kart Championship KZ2 Title chase back on track at Newcastle today with a pair of wins in the two heats, while trouble struck Championship contenders during the opening day of round three.

Championship leader, Jake Klarich scored a 12th and seventh placed finish in the two races, while the next two in front of Dicker in the points standings – Henry Johnstone and Reece Cohen – didn’t go any further than the first corner in heat two after being in the back end of the top 10 in heat two.

After qualifying fastest, 2019 World Champion, Marijn Kremers ended up with a second and third placing in his two starts, while Kiwi Jay Urwin has proven to be among the frontrunners heading towards tomorrow’s heats and 25-lap final.

Max Walton’s Championship marched on in the elite KA2 Junior category, winning heat one, however he was upstaged by local driver, Daniel Quimby who took an impressive win in heat two. Mika Lemasurier, Ben Holliday and Brodie Norris have also shown promise with a swag of points up for grabs tomorrow from the two heats and Final.

Norris in the other category he’s contesting, KA3 Junior ended with two second placed finishes and a fifth in an epic heat three.

Luke Trost won the third heat after a titanic 10 lap battle that pitted him against Norris, Isaac McNeill, Pip Casabene and Samuel March.

Tyler Howard took two wins in his two X30 heats today, while Championship heavyweights, Australia #1 Jace Matthews and multiple time X30 Champion, Brad Jenner resumed their battle, the duo sharing the wins in their two heats. Harrison Mitchell has been among the front runners so to Sam Seccombe, Toby Spinks and Jacob Dowson.

Australian TaG 125 Champ, Zachary Heard has setup a classic battle with fastest qualifier, Jackson Souslin-Harlow tomorrow with the duo both scoring two heat race wins in their respective races. New South Welshman, Brodie Whitmore making his one off appearance in the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship was impressive until a technical issue halted him in this afternoon’s final heat.

Championship leader, Jake Spencer has been measured and methodical in his approach today, while Harrison Hoey is positioning himself nicely to leave Newcastle with a bag of points after some top performances – timely should that continue tomorrow as the next round is on his home track of Ipswich in Queensland.

Keegan Fraser won two of the three KA3 Senior heats today, with the other going to Championship leader, Benito Montalbano. Fraser’s Championship charge took a boost when Montalbano was handed a 10 second startline infringement after heat one, dropping him to sixth after crossing the line first.

Matthew Waters, former Ladies Trophy winner Beck Connell and Robert Graham have been in the mix, with several other Championship contenders having a frustrating day.

Speaking of frustrating, Cadet 9 Championship leader, Jay Kostecki didn’t complete two races today, finishing fourth in the other, which has the potential of blowing the Title wide open come close of play tomorrow. 

Contenders, Carter Grother and Brock Nolan have been at the front of the field throughout the day, while Oliver Williamson took his first ever AKC heat race win this morning. Others to impress include Jasper Partouche, while heading to tomorrow, Noah Zamprogno is shaping as a force. He didn’t complete a lap in qualifying after being the first out the gate and suffering a spin. He pushed through to a top four finish this afternoon.

In a hotly contested Cadet 12, Alaster Flack and Lana Flack shared heat wins with Liam Carr and Basilio Micale, who both scored two wins. Alaster and Lana struck trouble late in the day, while Corey Carson – who won in Newcastle last year – has been consistent towards the front throughout today so too Carter Lamperd and Cooper Folley.

Tomorrow, racing will start at 7:45am with the continuation of heats before getting into the all important finals.

Entry to the Newcastle Kart Club Mt Sugarloaf Raceway is free, alternatively, the event will be live-streamed via mysportlive.tv

Full Results are available here https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/2236331