from Jason Fewins
Last Sunday welcomed the first weekend of winter, but sunshine and blue skies welcomed Mount Gambier Kart Club members to their 5th club day of the 2018 season. Entry numbers were low, but the close competition made for some of the best ground roots racing on offer.
Cadet 9 normally produces memorable wheel to wheel action as competitors from as young as 7 hone their driving skills, and last Sunday was no exception. Charlie Evans clean swept the three heats and the final showing good speed, to finish the day on the top step of the podium. Portland driver, Ewan Anderson hot on the heels of Evans was also a contender for a race win, with consistent results earning him second overall. The final spot on the podium was a close battle between Hayley Fewins and Xavier Cain. Both of the two young drivers showed good glimpses of race craft, but it was Fewins who took the honours at the conclusion of the meeting placing third.
Cadet 12 drivers also proved entertaining as Brock Fewins took four wins from four starts, as he lead every lap of each race. A new personal best lap time early in the day was a great start, as he went on to be the first to greet the chequered flag. Despite the effort of Fewins, the stand out driver in the class had to be first time racer and rookie Kai Arbery. Suiting up for the first time Kai overcome early nerves to show some amazing pace and potential as the day continued. Arbery finished the day amongst the winners circle placing second overall for the day earning his first podium at his first race meeting.
Local KA4 Junior driver Tyson White also proved faultless as he too, was the first to greet the chequered flag in all four heat races. A new chassis proved a key to success as White also set a new personal best time on his way to the front. Consistent lap times proved a successful strategy easily taking the class win.
Amongst the seniors Lauren Ferguson, battled hard for track position to win the KA3 Senior division. Fresh of recent form in the Victorian Country Series, Ferguson had her kart setup brilliantly as driver and machine combined to take the class win.
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TAG125 Heavy was a family affair as Kelvin Moreland and son Matt both competed against one another for family bragging rights. In this instance experience won over youth as Kelvin showed Matt the back side of his exhaust as the two battled for track position Kelvin coming away with the win while Matt raced hard for a well-deserved second place.
TAG125 Restricted rounded out the days racing with locals, again featuring on the podium. Kevin Harvey found some great speed gains bettering his previous best lap time by over a second to easily take the class win in the Heavy division while Matthew Evans, after a recent return to the sport dominated the TAG125 Light showing glimpses of the speed and form that he has long been renowned for.
At the conclusion of the meeting Feature Races were run and won with the Cadet class showcasing some close wheel to wheel action. Ewan Anderson proved too quick for Brock Fewins and Charlie Evans, while the Senior Feature race was won by Kelvin Moreland with Matt Evans at Matt Moreland making up the minor placings.
The Mount Gambier Karting Club now has a six week break before racing again gets underway in mid July. In the meantime its members will still be busy as drivers travel interstate this weekend to Mildura and Portland offering another opportunity to race again in late June.
Offering free entry and onsite catering, past and present members along with the public are encouraged to come out and support the club, its drivers and the volunteers as the club continues to put on brilliant displays of club racing at the Glenburnie Raceway complex.
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