31st August 2024

ISAAC MCNEILL EDGES CLOSER TO HISTORIC DOUBLE AS CADET CHAMPIONS ELECTED

Isaac McNeill leading the way in the KA2 class at Oakleigh (Pic: Pace Images)

Queenslander Isaac McNeill is on the verge of SP Tools Australian Kart Championship history in his quest to become the first driver to win both Junior Australian titles in the one year, while Cadet 12 driver, Archie Bristow and Cadet 9 driver Oliver Williamson were crowned Champions-elect on Saturday at Oakleigh near Melbourne.

McNeill has been on an incredible run this weekend – across the eight heat races he has contested across the premier KA2 Junior category and KA3, he has won seven and finished second in the other.

The KA2 title race was decimated before heat two even started with McNeill’s only title rival, Lewis Cordato heartbreakingly not starting the heat. The devastated Sydney-sider could only sit on the sidelines and watch McNeill sail to victory. Mathematically, Cordato is still in the fight, however has to rely on other factors come heat four on Sunday morning and the later final – including maximising his own point score.

KA3 has seen McNeill draw level with Jack Szewczuk – who is ineligible to compete this weekend due to reaching the maximum junior age – and he will fight it out on Finals Day with Samuel March and Jye Flynn for the Title.

Archie Bristow celebrating his Cadet 12 Championship (Pic: Pace Images)

The leading Cadet 12 racer of this season, Archie Bristow has made amends for a disappointing back end to his 2023 campaign by wrapping up his maiden Australian Championship this morning. His season’s domination saw him become Champion elect then continue to dominate the elder Cadet category.

An emotional Oliver Williamson was crowned Champion elect in Cadet 9 after the second heat this morning. Having a sizeable lead coming into the weekend was assisted when his closest rival, OIiver Armitt moved up to Cadet 12. Those who still had the chance to win the title couldn’t hold a candle to the Wollongong racer who took the Championship. His father – and team principal – Tom – only won one Australian title in his career. Despite being at the pinnacle of the sport at the time (CIK), it was an Australian Dirt Kart Title in 1999 in Junior National Light held in Forbes. 

The KZ2 Title race is alive with a heat race and the final to go on Sunday morning. Current Champion, Sam Dicker wrested control of the Title lead from Josh Fife through a scintillating qualifying performance yesterday afternoon – then went on to claim the first two heats with Fife finishing third and fourth respectively.

Having pushed his LeCont tyres to the limit, Dicker would drop behind fellow West Australian, Nik Mitic in this afternoon’s third heat and then Fife staged a late race charge to get by his rival – taking team-mate Jack Webster with him. Dicker was only able to hold on to fourth place by crossing the line half a nosecone in front. Just five points separate the pair.

Harrison Hoey is in the box seat for back-to-back TaG 125 Titles after strong performances throughout the weekend. The huge field have tried to push Hoey but on most occasions, he’s kept himself ahead. Nevertheless Jacob Dowson and Jackson Souslin-Harlow have eyes on the prize heading to the finals.

In KA3 Senior Light, from a field of potential Champions of nine, the battle has been narrowed down to two – Mika Lemasurier and William Thompson. A brutal non-finish on Friday night cost Lemasurier points, however he has battled back to hold onto a 17 point lead. 

William Thompson is his closest rival, just 17 points behind. The battle for third outright in the Championship is equally as interesting with Hunter Salvatore and Luca Belardo locked on points heading to Grand Final Sunday.

Brad Jenner was looking to be on his X30 victory lap – and in reality is in line to do just that after yet another sterling performance, however was caught out by a freak rain shower that hit this afternoon while he was leading heat two. He had a clear lead, but was the pioneer into the second last turn on changed conditions and speared off the track, colliding with the tyre wall heavily.

The action will kick off at 8am on Sunday morning with the second half of heats round four and then the stage will be set for the SP Tools Grand Finals, presented by Castrol.

The Oakleigh Kart Club is based on Deals Road Reserve, South Clayton – entry is free to spectators or it can be watched online via watchmysportlive.tv

Oliver Williamson celebrating with his father Tom after Heat Two of the Cadet 9 category (Pic: Pace Images)