3rd September 2017

NEW WINNERS AND CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN MELBOURNE

To view video on demand from Sunday’s action please click here.

James Wharton applies the #1 to his kart after Sunday afternoon’s final

Mixed weather conditions delivered a day full of action at Todd Road for the final round of the Australian Kart Championship, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE.

James Sera became a five-time Australian Champion in KA3 Senior after finishing second to first time winner Jack Bell. Scott Sorensen took out KA1 to successfully defend his Australian Championship after chief rival, Kyle Henry-Smith lost a wheel on the opening lap – in addition he elevated himself to the equal most successful driver in Australian Kart Championship history.

Pierce Lehane joined Sorensen at the top of the all time winners list after taking the win in KZ2. He’s the first driver in history to win finals at the three elite categories of Australian karting. Leigh Nicolaou put in a solid performance to win X30 from Dean Foster, whilst David Sera was a welcome visitor to the podium.

Pierce Lehane placed himself among rare company on the all-time round winner’s list

Another to successfully defend his Championship was Ryan Tomsett in Cadet 9. He finished second to Cadel Ambrose for the round.  Ambrose’s victory ensured that the SP Tools Junior Sprockets graduate completed a clean sweep of the two Victorian rounds this season. The TaG 125 category saw an unexpected rain shower strike the turn one area of the track midway through the final, seeing more than half the field crash out. Joshua Car held strong to take the win, thus confirming second in the Title race behind the dominant Brendan Nelson. He was joined on the podium by first time podium visitors Trent Harrison and Toby Webb.

Broc Feeney confirmed his first Australian Title in KA2 by finishing third in the final, Championship rival Lachlan Hughes won the final but was left ruing an opening lap DNF in the final heat on Sunday morning. Jay Hanson got the best of season-long rival Cooper Webster in KA4 Junior, whilst Ballarat’s Jaxson Cox became a first time podium finisher.

Fletcher Harris added his name to the round winners list after taking Cadet 12 – runaway Championship winner, James Wharton finished second.  Harris’ win was enough for him to secure second place in the overall standings.

KZ2 Champion Josh Fife was the recipient of the MG Tyres Driver’s Driver of the Year Award. (Pic: Coopers Photography)

At the Gala Awards Dinner held at Etihad Stadium more than 300 people gathered to celebrate the Championship while the top placed finishers shared in more than $120,000 of prizes.  The Karting Australia Manufacturers Championship went to FA Kart while Patrizicorse won Team of the Year, along with Best Presented Team.

KZ2 Champion Josh Fife was voted on by his peers as the MG Tyres Driver’s Driver of the Year.  Cody Burcher and Oscar Priest were presented with the Dunlop Determination Award while James Wharton was decided as the recipient of the Bridgestone Super Cup.

2017 AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP
After Round 5 of 5

CADET 9
1 Ryan TOMSETT 256
2 Harry ARNETT 243
3 Cadel AMBROSE 209
4 Toby DVORAK 178
5 Ben HOLLIDAY 145

CADET 12
1 James WHARTON 338
2 Fletcher HARRIS 195
3 Marcos FLACK 191
4 Adrian HAAK 164
5 Tex STARR-MCKOY 143

KA4 JUNIOR
1 Jay HANSON 281
2 Cooper WEBSTER 252
3 Kai ALLEN 233
4 Zac CRICHTON 182
5 Kacey MANN 120

KA3 SENIOR
1 James SERA 283
2 Matthew MCLEAN 265
3 Leigh NICOLAOU 207
4 Oscar PRIEST 178
5 Kody GARLAND 153

TAG 125
1 Brendan NELSON 205
2 Joshua CAR 184
3 Cody GILLIS 167
4 Joshua ROGERS 160
5 Kody GARLAND 155

X30 (Provisional)
1 Joshua CAR 209
2 Marc TULLOCH 200
3 Justin FRANCIS 180
4 Leigh NICOLAOU 150
5 Dylan DRYSDALE 149

KA2
1 Broc FEENEY 256
2 Lachlan HUGHES 247
3 Cody BURCHER 157
4 Christian PANCIONE 150
5 Tate FROST 142

KA1
1 Scott SORENSEN 267
2 Kyle HENRY-SMITH 253
3 Jace MATTHEWS 225
4 Daniel EDMONDS 170
5 Mathew STENNER 169

KZ2
1 Joshua FIFE 260
2 Pierce LEHANE 235
3 Troy LOESKOW 199
4 Aaron CAMERON 198
5 Daniel PRICE 185

For the Full Championship Standings please click here.