Bumper Fields For Pro Tour Melbourne
| press release | 20 January 2014 |
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After a blistering opening round to the 2013/2014 Rotax rankings season in Albury in October, the Rotax Pro Tour will return to its traditional Australia Day weekend event at Todd Road in Port Melbourne, with two oversubscribed fields headlining the second event on the calendar.
Team Australia member Hamish Leighton will return to the DD2 Masters field on home soil after being absent from the opening round due to a rib injury. Leighton will be joined in Tony Kart colours by Queensland brother pairing of Shane and Scott Karandrews who have recently made the switch across to the G-Force Karting outfit. DD2 Masters regular and the second of three Team Australia members, Adam Hunter will make yet another appearance in the series, transferring to the Lewis Hamilton Kart for the Melbourne event.
Above: A growing DD2 Masters field will present a fierce battle at the front for the top step of the podium
pic - Cooper's Photography
Victorian Rick Pringle took a clean sweep of the Rotax Heavy category at Pro Tour Albury, and under the new class incentive, accepted the $500 cash reward. With the option to gamble his victory and take home $2,000 with a win in Melbourne, Rick believed the cash was the better option on the day. The opportunity now returns for the drivers to collect a $500 cash prize with a win in Melbourne, with Pringle sure to be challenged by fellow statesman Paul Rodgers for the top step on the podium. Queensland’s Lane Moore returns to the seat at Todd Road and will be amongst the front runners, with Sydney’s Thomas MacDonald making the step across to the class from DD2 to mix it at the front of the field.
Above: Victorian Rick Pringle will be looking for a win on home soil in Rotax Heavy after his success in Albury
pic - IKD
A healthy list of new names will highlight a growing Sodi Junior Max Trophy Class field for Pro Tour Melbourne. Amongst the names are Mathew Geering, Cameron McLean, Cameron Shields and Brooke Redden. Both Maddie and Ashleigh Stewart also return from New Zealand after making their debut appearance in Australia at the Rotax Nationals at Puckapunyal in September. Chris Bregonje will hold the ultimate level of confidence leading into the event after a clean sweep at Albury, however the long list of local Victorian talent is sure to take it up to the Sydneysider over the course of the weekend.
Above: The Sodi Junior Max Trophy Class features a number of new drivers this weekend in the category’s second full season
pic - IKD
Rotax Light will be the first of two classes that will compete in an oversubscribed format, with in excess of 40 entries being received for the event. After his success in Albury, Victorian Brad Jenner leads the Rotax rankings and will look to extend that buffer on his home track. After his recent announcement of a move to the UK for racing in 2014, former National Champion Pierce Lehane will make one of his last appearances in Australia for the year at the Todd Road event. New Zealand’s Daniel Kinsman will return to the Pro Tour field and currently sits fourth in the rankings, as he looks to chase down further success in Australia.
Above: Rotax Light has received in excess of 40 entries for this weekend’s event
pic - Cooper's Photography
The strength of competition in Junior Max remains at a premium with yet another oversubscribed entry field for Pro Tour Melbourne. Queensland’s Callum Walker leads the rankings following the first event, just ahead of fellow statesman and Trophy Class series champion, Zane Goddard. The two are sure to battle for the top position across the weekend, with numerous challenges expected from drivers including; Jayden Ojeda, Bryce Fullwood and Nicholas Andrews who are all within striking distance of the rankings lead.
New Zealand will again feature within the Junior Max category, with Marcus Armstrong returning following his star performance at the Rotax Nationals. Armstrong qualified on pole and led home many of the races, with the young gun looking to make his mark on the Australian field this weekend. Fellow Kiwi Caleb Cross will make his Australian debut in Melbourne, with the youngster having claimed National titles across the ditch in past years, he will be looking to follow Armstrong and make a strong showing at Todd Road.
Above: Junior Max will be the second of two oversubscribed categories at Pro Tour Melbourne
pic - IKD
A growing battle of youth and experience highlights the DD2 field for Pro Tour Melbourne, with a strengthening number of younger drivers making the step up to the gearbox category. After taking second at the Rotax Nationals in 2013, Victorian Jason Pringle will be hard to beat on home soil at Todd Road as he narrowly leads the Rotax rankings following the opening event in Albury. Round one final winner Jordan Boys returns to the class to challenge Pringle along with Troy Woolston who are all within close proximity in points. Queensland’s James Macken returns to the DD2 field, while fellow Queenslander’s Michael Fabri and Mason Barbera make their debut in the class. Over 30 drivers are set to take the grid and are sure to turn on a thrilling battle to the end.
Above: A new mix of drivers have provided a healthy field in DD2 for Todd Road
pic - IKD
To follow the event online throughout the weekend, Like Rotax Pro Tour on Facebook, Follow Rotax Pro Tour on Twitter and tune into the live audio commentary via Ustream at www.ustream.tv/user/internationalkarting.
