Torismo-Cheetah does it again - From Torismo Kart

Martin Brien won both Heavies and Super-Heavies restricted classes, winning the Super-Heavies in the prototype Torismo Kart

Once again the Australian designed and engineered Torismo Kart and Cheetah engine conquered the Over 40’s Titles at Coffs Harbour in 2012, beating the European karts and engines in the restricted classes.

At the 2011 Over 40’s Titles in Coffs, Martin Brien won both Heavies and Super-Heavies restricted classes, winning the Super-Heavies in the prototype Torismo Kart.

This year Martin lost over 15kg, weighing into the Light class at 163kg, so he could have a shot at the elusive Lights title, as well as defending his 2011 Heavies title. In both classes the Torismo-Cheetah set the fastest lap time for each class (unfortunately not in qualifying) by a mere 0.02 second in lights, and 0.1 in heavies, demonstrating the close parity of the Cheetah engine to all the other engines in the restricted class. In Heavies the Torismo-Cheetah was on third for the final and on pole for Lights.

In the restricted Heavies final the Torismo-Cheetah was running a solid third but was helped off the track, crossing a ripple strip breaking a chain, recording a DNF

Martin Brien 1 – Torismo Cheetah – defending his title in restricted Heavies, against Phil Middleton in 3 – Exprit X30 ( coopers photograhy )

Before the restricted Lights final began the heavens opened up and the race was declared Wet. The restricted Lights final shifted from beating the very-fast-in-the-dry pole sitter Dave Austin, who set pole in his new CRG-X30, to beating the renowned wet weather specialist (and last year’s Clubman Heavy winner in the wet) Nigel Ward of Supersports, racing an Omega-Rotax.

Keeping an eye on Nigel Ward (Omega / Rotax ) from Supersports in the restricted Lights final ( coopers photograhy )

In the 15 lap restricted Lights final the lead changed at least 15 times between the Torismo-Cheetah and the Omega-Rotax, and changed up to three times in one lap alone. Coffs Harbour race organiser John Martin said “it was one of the best races he’d ever seen, both drivers giving each race room and respect”.

While chasing the Torismo-Cheetah for the lead in the final laps, Nigel overcooked a corner and went off, dropping 50-60 metres behind, leaving the Torismo-Cheetah to take the chequered flag. Both Martin and Nigel agreed it was one of the best races they’d ever been in.

Crossing the line first in the restricted Lights final – the Torismo-Cheetah wins again.( coopers photograhy )

The Cheetah engine has proven its parity not only at the Over 40’s this past weekend, but also by running first and third at the 40th North West Titles in Mildura in restricted classes.

The Cheetah engine is the most affordable and competitive engine on the market. At just $2,095.00 for the full engine package, it is a proven winner in the restricted class – the fastest growing class in karting and the most fun!

A video has been uploaded to YOUTUBE, that shows just how close the top drivers were. Search Torismo Kart – Coffs Harbour – over 40’s 2012 heat 2, or the direct link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oZ5dK0mQPk