by Chris Quinlan
Saturday night saw over 120 competitors converge on the Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway for Round 3 of the North Shore Kart Club Championship, for the tracks first meeting under lights in nearly a decade.
Round 3 of the club championship once again saw its largest field in the TaG Restricted Light class, amassing over 20 entries.
After some action filled heats, it was Andrew Grima who started off pole position for the final, however a turn 1 incident saw Novacastrian Rhys Clayton take the advantage and lead right through to the chequered flag of the 20 lap final.
Clayton was one of many who travelled for the meeting, including Dial Before You Dig Super 3 driver and ex Porsche GT3 racer Jon McCorkindale (see separate post for an interview with Jon).
McCorkindale contested the faster TaG Light Class among karting regulars such as the Lichtenbergers, Bregonjes, and NSW State Champion, Reece Cohen.
The 20 lap final saw Lucas Lichtenberger victorious with a convincing 6 second win over Reece Cohen, and Kurtis Read rounding out the podium.
There was plenty more action across the many classes offered by North Shore Kart club.
TaG R Masters featured great racing across the weekend, but it was current NSW State Cup Champion Simon Van Es showing his class and walking away with a clean sweep for the weekend. He came home across the line followed by Brian Tabbernal and brother Dean Van Es
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Junior racing saw the force that is Jordan Shalala, who once again took out both KA3 and KA4. Shalala walked away with the win by over 7 seconds in KA4, with AKC and Rotax Pro Tour regular Gianmarco Pradel in 2nd, and Alexander Stephan rounding out the podium
KA3 saw Shalala followed home by Bailey Hazard and Harrison Mitchell.
Tag R Medium saw the return of Top Gun Racing’s Gerald Cluderay to The Creek, creating some great action throughout the heats. Chris Quinlan started the final on pole, but after an early incident, he slipped to the back of the field. Quinlan eventually regained the lead with 2 laps remaining, followed home by Cluderay, and championship regular Paul Windell in 3rd.
Cadet classes saw some of the best racing across the weekend, with the lead in Cadet 12 changing in the heats on what seemed like every 2nd corner. Oliver Saade took the honours, followed by Logan Everleigh, and Macka Hazard
Cadet 9 was never in doubt weekend for Riley Blaxell, with a clean sweep winning and taking out the fastest lap in every heat. Blaxell, who has shown himself as a superstar on track, is just the same off track, having just been confirmed as NSKC’s youngest class captain. He will be helping Cadet 9 drivers to get faster, and newcomers into the sport. The podium was closely rounded out Corey Carson and Javier Vargas.
KA3 Senior was taken out by Oscar Priest who had 8 seconds in hand over Thomas Hayman and Matthew Hill.
Full results from the meeting are on speedhive HERE.
The next meeting at North Shore Kart Club is Round 4 of the championship on June 2nd, which doubles as the NSW State Titles shakedown. July 5/6/7 will see some of the countries best drivers converge on the 1024m track, all looking to be crowned NSW State Champion.
For more info:
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