7th March 2013

Moore back for second Rotax Challenge Round - From Kartsport NZ

After a dominant performance in the Logitech 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class at the opening round of this year’s YÖGG Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand, Australian karter Lane Moore will be back on the grid at the second round near Rotorua this weekend.

Moore qualified quickest and won one of the heats and both the Pre-Final and Final at the first series round at Palmerston North in February and though not running for points in this year’s challenge has decided to return to see if he can make it two class victories in a row.

This year’s YÖGG frozen yoghurt-sponsored Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand has again attracted a 60-strong field across three classes with drivers from Dunedin in the south to Whangarei in the north competing for places on the team to represent New Zealand at the 14th annual Grand Final meeting in New Orleans, USA in late November this year.

This weekend’s series round at the 1.2 km Kartsport Rotorua International Raceway high in the Mamaku Ranges west of Rotorua is being presented by Schwarzkopf hair care products and run in conjunction with the second round of the Formula 125 S KartSport club’s annual ProKart Series.

Time trials (qualifying) and the first two heats will be held on Saturday and the remaining heat, and Pre-Final and Final for each Rotax class on Sunday.

After the first round of the 2013 New Zealand Challenge series Auckland brothers Daniel and Mathew Kinsman head Helensville driver Daniel Connor in the points standings in the Platinum Glass 125cc Rotax Max class while Jordon McDonnell leads fellow Christchurch driver Marcus Armstrong in Arai Formula Junior.

Lane Moore and compatriot Michael Saller finished one-two at the first round in the Logitech 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class but because neither was running for series points third placed Brendon Hart leads both the Heavy class and the Masters (over 32) points standings heading into this weekend’s round.

Such is the depth of talent in all three classes, though, that there are several other drivers capable of a podium finish this weekend, amongst them Auckland-based gearbox class international Daniel Bray who this year is competing in the Platinum Glass 125cc Rotax Max Light class, and fast-rising teenagers Dylan Drysdale, Campbell Joyes and Maddie Wise who are contesting Arai Formula Junior.

Daniel Connor will also be one to watch in the Platinum Glass 125cc Rotax Max Light class, having just returned from Australia where he put in another strong performance at the latest round of the the 2012/13 Rotax Pro Tour at Lithgow west of Sydney a fortnight ago.

This weekend will also see the return to the Logitech 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class of former North Island class champion Aaron Cunningham and his long-time KartSport Mt Wellington club sparring partner Shane Hodgson.

2013 YÖGG Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand
Points after Rnd 1

Platinum Glass 125cc Rotax Max Light
1. Daniel Kinsman 89 points
2. Mathew Kinsman 85
3. Daniel Connor 82
4. Reid Harker 80
5. James Penrose 74
6. Mason Armstrong 74
7. Nick Carpenter 74
8. Daniel Bray 74
9. Aaron Hodgson 72
10. Bradley Tremain 64

Arai Junior Max
1. Jordon McDonnell 87
2. Marcus Armstrong 85
3. Campbell Joyes 83
4. Dylan Drysdale 81
5. Jacob Cranston 78
6. Daniel Bugler 73
7. Ryan Yardley 73
8. James Blair 72
9. Ethan Anderson 68
10. Taylor Harte 67

Logitech 125cc Rotax Max Heavy
1. Brendon Hart * 89
2. Caleb Hartley 85
3. Jody Vincent 81
4. Stuart Marshall * 81
5. Teddy Bassick * 77
6. Mark Oudney * 76
7. Brendon Gridley * 75
8. Daniel Sayles 72
9. Nicholas Revell 69
10. Andrew Grant * 69
* Masters over 32 yrs)