Cooper Stapleton has made a strong start to the 2021 season in the Cadet 12 class! Cooper has run up the front in all meetings he’s competed in and looked to take on the best of the best in the Australian Kart Championship over the weekend.
Stapleton powered by A1 Engines Motorsport was looking for a strong result after missing the opening round due to the Covid border lockdown.
Friday practice was where Stapleton in his Brighton Alpine sponsored entry was looking to have a fast start. Stapleton showed fantastic pace in the first three untimed practices, running in the top three and looking fast going into timed practice in session four and five. The Brighton Alpine entry ran top five of forty six competitors in timed practice putting him up the front for the all-important Saturday morning qualifying session.
Qualifying got underway on Saturday morning with Stapleton knowing this was the key to his weekend. While doing his first few flying laps Stapleton was unfortunately run of the circuit and was lucky not to take on damage, just stopping before the tyres off circuit. Stapleton with his A1 Engines Motorsport power got back on circuit but never recovered to his pace from Friday. This resulted in position fifteen with plenty of work now to do in the heats.
Stapleton started out of position thirteen, got just the start he was after jumping up two spots in the opening lap and was looking strong. The R&D Signage Solutions sponsored entry had made his way up to position nine inside the top ten by lap six and was continuing to show strong pace! Stapleton continued to make moves in the back end of the race closing in on the podium battle coming home in a strong position six, a great fight back from qualifying!
Heat 2 come around and the track was drying from some earlier rain with the tough decision to be made weather to go out on slick tyres or wet tyres. Cooper’s dad Troy made the tough decision to go out on slick tyres while the rest of the field went out on wet tyres. Rain started to come down once out on circuit again and Stapleton drove extremely well just to keep his kart on the track! Due to being on the wrong tyre, Stapleton came home in position twenty-two with more work to do in the remaining heats.
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Sunday morning came around, a new day and young Stapleton was the first race out Sunday morning! Stapleton started out of position twelve for the third heat and was determined to improve on his starting position. The Cadet 12 driver moved to the edge of the top ten straight away and when in space, he showed speed that matched the leaders out in front. The Pro Floor sponsored entry was able to cross the line inside the top ten in position nine. Unfortunately, due to a drop down bumper penalty the Pro Floor backed entry was relegated to position eleven.
Stapleton got an exceptional start in heat 4, moving up to position nine after starting in position twelve. Stapleton had a strong run on three other karter’s when an unexpected accident in front of him forced him off the track. Stapleton re-joined in position nineteen but the young cadet 12 ace didn’t give up! The Harrison Steele Salon entry fought back in a mega drive getting back up seven places finishing in position twelve.
Stapleton started out of position sixteen for the final with all points merged determining these positions. The Cadet 12 speedstar got a great start in his Connect Sport Australia sponsored entry moving up to positon thirteen on the opening lap. Stapleton continued a strong drive all race long making up positions throughout the long final to get into the top ten. The Connect Sport Australia backed entry come home in a fantastic position nine making up seven spots in the final!
Both Cooper and Dad Troy were happy with the weekends end result. “I was happy with my fightback on Sunday to finish ninth” young Cooper told.
Troy expressed how happy he was with Coopers never give up attitude. “I am so proud of Cooper’s efforts this event. He kept so positive and calm yet extra determined when the chips were down”.
Stapleton will next take to the track at the Karting Victoria State Championships at the Oakleigh Go Kart Club.
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