LOCALS LOOKING GOOD IN SA

Joshua Denton leading the KA3 field during the action on qualifying day in South Australia. (Pic: Pace Images)

Local South Australian driver Joshua Denton has led the way in KA3 Senior in round three of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship in Monarto, just outside Murray Bridge.

Third generation racer Denton – who won his only Australian Championship at the venue qualified his Kosmic kart on pole position then skipped to two heat race wins. The third heat of the day was won by Championship leader heading into the weekend, Tony Kart’s Jack Bell.

The racing in KA3 as always has been frenetic with last round winner, Matthew Waters (Kosmic) and regular front runner – Boost Mobile-backed Oscar Priest in the thick of it, as well as Bell. Second in the Championship coming into the weekend, Jai Brown (JC Kart) has had a difficult day, however is hovering inside the top 10.

In KZ2 gearbox, Ricciardo Kart’s Troy Loeskow’s terrific season continues – having qualified on pole position and securing the two heat races held today. Loeskow won the first round and finished second at round two, however entered today’s proceedings in a narrow third position on the Championship points table. A maximum score will no doubt assist him close the slender gap to Jason Faint (SodiKart) and BirelART’s Christopher Hays – whose great season continued finishing both races today inside the top three. The other impressive performance came from Shamick Racing Parolin pilot, Jay Coul. The Victorian is always fast however qualified on the front row for the first time and the change to the Italian chassis appears to be paying dividends. Championship leader, Faint’s points haul continued to be strong with two fourth placed finishes.

Pro Karting pair Adam Lindstrom and Jason Pringle (Pic: Pace Images)

Victorian Pro Karting driver, Adam Lindstrom has been a surprise packet in the TaG 125 class. While always a thread, Lindstrom set the pole time and has taken two heat race wins, showing some strong pace in his Formula K package. In a day of TaG surprises, Queenslander Flynn Jackes dominated the opening heat, while trouble befell Lindstrom off the start.

Perhaps the biggest surprise has been with Championship leader, Brendan Nelson. Qualifying didn’t go the Kaos Karting FA Kart driver’s way – qualifying 25th – arguably his lowest ever qualifying position in the class. He had rectified for the hotly contested heats elevating himself to 11th in heats one and two and to sixth in the third heat. There’s little doubt the TaG Tornado is not out of contention for the final win tomorrow.

The elite junior KA2 category is anyone’s game after qualifying and the two heats today.

Local EVO Kart driver, Jimmy Pisczyk secured his first ever KA2 pole this morning, however that has been the highlight of an otherwise frustrating day. A turn one skirmish in heat one went from bad to worse as he had a collision while working his way through the field and in the second heat, a mechanical issue saw him rendered a spectator.

Local driver Rueben Goodall set the pace in KA2 during qualifying (Pic: Pace Images)

Last round winner Reuben Goodall picked up where he left off in his DR Kart winning heat one, however he was the victim of the dreaded turn one in heat two being shuffled down the order. He fought his way back to 14th.

The biggest benefactor of that was Queenslander Ethan Feather, who sailed to victory in his Parolin, backing up his second place from heat one. This will place him on pole for heat three tomorrow.

Championship leader coming into the weekend, Lauxes Products’ Luke Pink has kept his nose clean and continued to secure a solid haul of points, finishing second in the second heat today. Fletcher Harris’s strong performance from round two has continued – while Noah Sands has been showing some great speed in his FA Kart.

Victorian Sera Kart driver, Marcus Pisani secured his first ever AKC pole position in KA4 Junior today, which he promptly backed up with his first heat race win in heat number one. He is placed well heading into tomorrow.

Championship leader, Kobi Williams who came into the weekend with a 24 point advantage continued to build on that today with two heat race wins.

Round one winner, AWC Motorsport Academy’s Hugh Barter has had a wild day after not finishing heat one and then storming through the field in heat two and charging from 11th on the grid in the third heat to finish a narrow second.

PCR’s Cody Maynes-Rutty – fresh from racing in Italy last weekend – is among the top group as is Joe Fawcett and local driver, Christian Cowie – who has improved across the course of the day.

In the all-IAME X30 class, Tom Williamson Motorsport drivers Cameron Longmore and Jaiden Pope lead the way. The Kosmic drivers shared the three heats with Pope earning pole for tomorrow’s heat four by virtue of his two wins and a second.

Queenslander, Jordi Marcon was a surprise front row starter in his Arrow Kart and finished second in the second heat. Last round dominator, Pierce Lehane’s story was similar to that of Brendan Nelson in TaG. Qualifying saw him well down the order and he had to work his way forward. By the end of heat three, he was well back on top of the setup and was trading fastest laps with Pope and Longmore to finish third.

Gold Coaster Marc Tulloch – who has won rounds in the category previously – is around the mark as well heading into finals day tomorrow.

Ky Burke led the way in Cadet 9 (Pic: Pace Images)

In the sub-Junior categories, Ky Burke has built a case for the Championship with a strong performance throughout the course of today’s proceedings. The Scott Burke Electrical Energy driver entered the weekend third on points but has romped to victory from pole position in the three heats held today.

Riley Blaxell, Championship leader – James Anagnostiadis, Cooper Stapleton, Basilio Micale and Jenson Marold have featured prominently.

In Cadet 12 – which broke another record with 60 entries this weekend – is poised as a battle between Championship leader, Alex Ninovic, Jesse Lacey, defending Champion, Harry Arnett and the surging Victorian, Kristian Janev.

CRG Australia pilot Ninovic set the pole time then in the group racing today took two wins. Lacey also has two race victories – critically one over Arnett – while the Aussie Champ got the best of Ninovic when group A met group B this afternoon.

Kristian Janev’s rise in the category continues. The Victorian Formula K driver has taken a major step forward from the previous round and that upwards surge continued today adding to his win tally – and he has been among the top runners every time he has hit the track.

Tomorrow – racing continues from 8am with the completion of the third round of heats and then round four, with the weekend coming to a culmination with the Finals for round three.

For those that can’t make it to the Monarto international karting complex at 3711 Old Princes Hwy, Monarto South, SA – tune into the livestream all day on karting.net.au or www.facebook.com/australiankartchampionship.

The SP Tools Australian Kart Championship is presented by Castrol EDGE. For the full results from today please click here.