Final Familiarisation For New Zealand Nationals
| by Lindsay Beer | 28 March 2017 |
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By Lindsay Beer on behalf of Kartsport Southland
Photos by Richard Dimmock
Karters from all over New Zealand made the most of the KartSport Southland club's annual Spirit Of A Nation meeting at the Invercargill Oil Shop Raceway at Pit Road, Sandy Point, Invercargill over the weekend.
The Sievwright Spirit of the Nation meeting provided the last opportunity for drivers from outside the region to gain racing miles prior to the KartSport New Zealand Sprint Nationals (also being sponsored by Invercargill firm Sievwright Blasting Panel & Paint) due to be held at the track at Easter.
Above: William Exton of Marlborough leads Jaden Ransley of Christchurch as both lift a wheel in Junior Rotax Max (pic - Richard Dimmock)
Aucklander Sebastian Manson made the long trek south to win the Cadet ROK class for 6-to-10 year olds from Jaxon Harvey of Dunedin with Emerson Vincent of Pukekohe third. Harvey had won on day one while Manson won day two on Sunday. Another Dunedin driver, James Black, placed fourth.
Zac Christensen of Christchurch won the Vortex Mini ROK class for 9-to-12 year olds from Alex Patrick of Dunedin and Cantabrian Jacob Douglas. The field included a strong contingent from the North Island attending to gather experience prior to the Nationals.
William Exton of Picton, meanwhile, made a clean sweep of the Junior 125cc Rotax class, winning both days to take out the event. Rianna O’Meara-Hunt of Wellington was second on both days to secure second overall with local driver Jayde Smith third.
Above: Jared Cleghorn of Christchurch leads Chris Cox of Rangiora in the rain in the Rotax Light class (pic - Richard Dimmock)
Jared Cleghorn of Christchurch went through Sunday unbeaten to take out the Rotax Light title from Ayden Polaschek of Christchurch. Chris Cox of Rangiora had won the day on Saturday and although he didn’t finish the last race on Sunday had scored enough points to secure third place while Kyle Dawson of Southland picked up good placings throughout to claim fourth.
Southland’s George Keast won the Rotax Heavy Class from fellow Southlanders Scott Waters and Craig Harding.
The Sievwright Blasting Panel Paint KartSport New Zealand National Sprint Championships take place at the track at Easter.
Above: Sebastian Manson of Auckland leads the pack in Cadet ROK (pic - Richard Dimmock)
