Southern's Australia Day Classic

by Scott Harvey

28 January 2015


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2015 Australia Day Classic at Southern Go Kart Club; Monday 26th January 2015

Well what a cracker of a day was on offer for the SA season opener at Southern Go Kart Club for the Australia Day Classic. Not only is this the first event of the year, it is the first time the new Karting Australia engines have been seen in SA competition. Neither disappointed! This a also was the first club event under the direction of the new SGKC President for 2015, Brett Fortanier.

Above: Cooper Hay was the winner in JNL
pic - Russell Tovey Photography

This event was exceptionally well received by all karters (116 entries), crews and spectators which went without a hitch. The days racing was followed with a free sausage sizzle, compliments of the club, during the Club Championship, Perpetual Cup and Australia Day Classic presentations.

A pick-your-own-trophy format was also on offer which made it fun for all on the podium and a few laughs for those present.

Presentation also saw Kym Pearce from Omega Racing Karts receive his name plate for receiving Life Membership into Southern Go Kart Club after 30+ years of membership with the Club and his dedication to karting and the Club.

Above: Kym Pearce, Life Member
pic - Scott Harvey

Qualifying was up first in the morning and fast times were put down in all classes. The new engines in each class saw times in never before seen territories and lots of smiles from drivers, pit crews and spectators at the end of qualifying verified everyone's approval of their performance.

Qualifying results:

Cadet 9 - James Piszcyk
Cadet 12 - Tyler Craig
Junior National Light - Cooper Hay
Junior National Heavy - Matthew Forrester
Junior Clubman - Tyson Harvey
Restricted TaG 125 Light - Guillaume Dombret
Restricted TaG 125 Heavy - Mark Goode
TaG Light - Daniel Price
TaG Heavy - Simon Enright
Clubman Heavy - Sparky Marquis
Restricted TaG 125 Masters - Simon Bond
Clubman Masters - Sparky Marquis

Above: Sparky Marquis
pic - Russell Tovey Photography

With qualifying out of the way and grids set for the next two heats it was down to racing. There were some spectacular races on offer with Restricted TaG 125 Masters having a field of 19 providing a spectacle around the tight and technical Bolivar track. There were some outstanding performances throughout the day and some karters were untouchable throughout.

A young driver just off his P's was James Piszcyk in Cadet 9 who led from qualifying and won every race including the final. Christian Cowie mixed it with the best throughout the day while on his P's to finish a comfortable 2nd. Jessica Fortanier won the Stewards 'Hard Charger' award for consistent driving and making her way up the field to finish in 3rd.

Cadet 12's Tyler Craig also dominated the day with securing pole in Qualifying and winning every heat and the final. Amber Miller was so close to Tyler in every heat and final to finish 2nd and Troy Fortanier closed out the top 3 train. This race could have gone to any of the top 3 as they were inseparable all day.

Above: Cadet 12 winner Tyler Craig
pic - Georgia Delaney

Junior National Light saw Cooper Hay show the field how to do it from the front to take out pole position in Qualifying and win all 3 heats and the final. Jordan Kervers made his way up through the day to take 2nd and Jack Hutchins with a well-deserved 3rd. There was some great action in this field with one of the most talented fields on offer.

Junior National Heavy only had 3 entrants and only one with the new KA 100, so it was a clear win to Matthew Forrester, 2nd to an ever consistent Jordan Pianezzola and 3rd to Jenna Kervers in her first race. We look forward to more entrants in this Junior field as the year progresses.

Above: The boys
pic - Georgia Delaney

Junior Clubman qualifying saw Tyson Harvey come out charging to secure pole position in his first ever Junior Clubman event, but Josh Denton showed him his experience to take all heats and the final. Harvey drove his best throughout the heats and drove smoothly to secure 2nd in the final. A determined Ben Delaney drove his hardest all day to round out the top 3 in fine form. Everyone looks forward to the future of this class as it is one of the most spectacular to watch and the second fastest class on track.

Above: Tyson Harvey qualified fastest in Junior Clubman
pic - Russell Tovey Photography

Clubman Heavy was a battle between Sparky Marquis and David Rinaldi throughout the day but Sparky showed Dave a trick or two by taking qualifying, all heats and the final. Dave had to settle for 2nd in this battle with Simon Smith coming in 3rd. We can't wait until Clubman makes a comeback with the new KA 100 as we know it is going to be a huge class in the months to come.

Clubman Masters was a repeat of Clubman Heavy with Sparky continuing with his schooling of Dave Rinaldi taking qualifying and all Heats and finals, David Rinaldi coming in 2nd and Simon Smith in 3rd.

Restricted TaG 125 Light saw Guillaume Dombret, still on his P plates, not only take out qualifying but every race along the way to take the final with Keaton Szach so close to come in behind for 2nd. Daniel Boorman threw everything he had at Guillaume throughout the day but could only manage 2nd in the heats and a 3rd in the final.

Above: Guillaume Dombret, R125L winner
pic - Georgia Delaney

Restricted TaG 125 Heavy was a dog fight between Mark Goode and Craig Henderson. Mark took out Qualifying and the final while Craig secured wins in heat 1 and the prefinal. Danny Somerville drove as hard as he could but could not catch the front 2 and settled for 3rd.

TaG 125 Light was a one kart show with Daniel Price leading from qualifying, winning all the heats and finals for a comfortable win over Tyler Morrison who was charging hard trying to catch and catch him. Russel Provan also showed his experience with a solid drive to secure a 3rd place in the final.

Above: Daniel Price #12 heads the TaG Light field
pic - Georgia Delaney

TaG 125 Heavy saw Simon Enright take out Qualifying and the prefinal, but Michael Smith-Crossing showed his skills by taking the heats and the final for 1st. Simon settled for a well driven second and Hayden Slattery a hard fought 3rd place.

Restricted TaG 125 Masters was the largest field on offer and provided for some excellent spectating of racing. Simon Bond drove a brilliant qualifying to take pole for heat 1 and heat 2 and to secure 2nd in the prefinal. Sparky Marquis competing in an unbelievable 3 classes and winning all 3, took the win in this class as well. At 52 years old that is quite a feat and proof that it can be done! Simon earnt a well-deserved 2nd after battling throughout the race with Ian Williams and Sparky. Ian Williams came home with the goods in 3rd place, which he will tell you was a most enjoyable race.

Full results on CMS HERE

Above: Sparky Marquis and Simon Bond (71) go wheel to wheel
pic - Georgia Delaney

Above: Cadet 9 winner James Piszcyk
pic - Russell Tovey Photography

Above: Jessica Fortanier won the Hard Charger award
pic - Georgia Delaney

Above: After racing Pro Tour in Melbourne the day prior, Josh Denton took out Junior Clubman
pic - Georgia Delaney

Above: Michael Yeo aboard his new Ricciardo Kart
pic - Russell Tovey Photography

Above: A TaG Light start
pic - Georgia Delaney

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