Kristian Janev restarted the mid-year after a COVID effected break, by taking to the Australian Kart Championship Shakedown Meeting at the Eastern Lions Kart Club.
Janev was competing in the lightly raced KA2 Junior category in preparation for his tilt at the fourth round of the National Championship. The Pro Karting backed entry was in a small field of four but don’t let the numbers fool you, the talent was high. All three of his competitors were either a current or former State or National Champion. Kristian had his work cut out for him.
Kristian headed out on track for his opening qualifying session on a drying track, making it extremely difficult for set up. Janev was in a close battle with his three competitors Peter Bouzinelos, Jesse Lacey and Costa Toparis. Janev in his Regency Windows backed entry set the third fastest time of the session, putting him off the inside of the second row.
Heat one and Kristian got a great start and jumped straight up into second position. Due to the battles on lap one, Peter Bouzinelos had opened up a large margain. The Janev Building sponsored entry traded times with the race leader, crossing the line in second spot.
Kristian was regulated to the heat win, with Bouzinelos being not classified due no transponder on his kart. Janev had another strong start in heat two jumping up the lead by the end of the opening lap. The Pro Karting backed entry traded fastest laps with Lacey and Bouzinelos battling in behind him in an exciting race. Kristian was able to take back-to-back heat wins and put himself off pole position for the prefinal.
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The Prefinal was a non-result due to a warm up lap spin. Due to this the Regency Windows backed entry retired from the race.
A front row start in the final had Kristian excited but after being ran wide in the opening few corners, he had his work cut out for him. The Masterpiece Cabintry backed entry was able to make his way back up into second spot after passes on Toparis and Bouzinelos. The Pro Karting powered driver came home on the podium with second position.
Kristians father David was happy with the day and looked to the nationals at his son’s home track. “We had a great day in the small but awesome field,” said David. “A few things went wrong in heat three and the start of the final but overall, it was a good day. He’s got really strong pace and we hope to be right in the battle at the Nationals here in four weeks”.
Young Kristian now looks to the fourth round of the Australian Kart Championship at his home track at the Eastern Lions Kart Club.
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