27th February 2013

Fresh front-runners set to challenge established stars at Pro Tour Lithgow

Liam McLellan drove away to a comfortable win on home soil at Pro Tour Melbourne

With a range of mixed results being delivered at the last round of the Rotax Pro Tour, it has guaranteed the racing will be hotly contested with the arrival of Australia’s Premier Karting series in NSW central west.

After an unstoppable performance at Todd Road, Daniel Richert will be looking to return with a vengeance at Lithgow, and take another round win. The former Commodore Cup racer will need to keep an eye on drivers such as Hamish Leighton, Jose Ruiz, Cameron Harch and former V8 Supercar driver Steven Ellery. Team Australia representative Brent Coghlan also returns on home soil, and will be looking to make his mark following an absence in Melbourne.

In some of the best racing ever seen as part of the Pro Tour, Rotax Heavy will again provide a wealth of excitement for on-lookers in Lithgow. Victorian Troy Woolston made sure he would challenge to return to the World Final this year with a win at Todd Road, while New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge opening round winner and Queensland’s Lane Moore and fellow Victorian Rick Pringle made up the final steps on the podium, the Lithgow field is filled with drivers that are capable of standing on top by the end of the weekend. Brendan Nelson, Travis Kodric, Michael Saller, Paul Rodgers, William Yarwood and Matthew Greenbury are all assured to vie for a top three position.

Darwin’s Bryce Fullwood returns to the Sodi Junior Max Trophy Class field in Lithgow, the inaugural round winner from Canberra is sure to not have it all his own way however. Following his first Rotax Pro Tour round win in Melbourne, Zane Goddard is filled with confidence alongside Whitsundays driver Jordan McGregor who finished a close second to Goddard. Local track experience will be in the hands of Stephanie Stones, Christopher Davies and Tyra Maranik, while Jack Black will definitely be looking to back from his two podiums from the first two rounds.

Victorian Daniel Rochford continues to succeed in his new FK Kart with a win at Pro Tour Melbourne

Despite a DNF in the final at Todd Road, reigning National Rotax Light Champion Pierce Lehane is expected to take full advantage of returning to his home state this weekend. Daniel Rochford went back to back at Todd Road for round victories for 2012 and 2013, in light of him holding the lead in the Rotax rankings; the Victorian will be looking to continue his strong run of form. An impressive category debut by Matthew Smith has given him a wealth of confidence heading to Lithgow. The talent pool flows immensely in the category, Tyler Greenbury returns along with Brad Jenner. A week out from his debut in Formula Ford, Thomas Randle will return to the Rotax Pro Tour with a key focus on keeping his eye in and securing some more strong results.