Aiden Schweikert had a stellar 2021 karting season, moving his way up the field in the Cadet 12 ranks. Young Aiden had a break out year regularly being in the top ten and making his claims to be an excellent competitor and 2022 challenger.
The young Cadet 12 driver was debuting a new Parolin mini chassis and was looking to get his 2022 season off to a strong start at the opening event of the season. The Go Kart Club of Victoria had large entries in the Cadet 12 class with twenty-one young drivers looking to have a strong start to the season.
Sunday morning qualifying hit and the G & L Motor Repairs and Performance backed entry was looking to put himself as far up the grid as possible. Schweikert was quickly into the top ten and then moved into the top five and was right in the battle to be high up on the grid. Aiden put in a scintillating lap time to put himself fifth fastest and only one tenth off starting on the front row of the grid.
Young Aiden was out of position five for heat one and was looking to get a clean start. Schweikwert had a smooth opening lap moving up to position three and was right in the battle for second spot. The Haley Hire sponsored entry made a move for second spot but unfortunately was ran off circuit just after this dropping down outside the top ten. Aiden put in a breath taking final few laps to move his way back up to position eight by race finish.
Schweikert looked to heat two to try and turn the fortunes around of heat one. The Jeremy Cross backed entry slotted into fourth spot in the opening few laps and looked strong. Aiden got shuffled back to sixth place on lap four but then made his way back into top five and was on for another strong top five finish. Unfortunately, Schweikert’s bad luck had stayed with him from heat one and he was pushed off the circuit on the second last corner of the final lap resulting in a DNF finish.
Due to his poor luck in the opening races, Aiden was out of position sixteen for heat three and was looking to make his way forward. The G & L Motor Repairs and Performance sponsored entry made up places throughout the race and was on the verge of breaking his way into the top ten drivers. Schweikert made up five positions in the race crossing the line in position eleven and putting himself out of position eleven.
The final started in chaotic fashion, with Aiden managing to make it through the carnage and make up a few places off the start. The Haley Hire backed entry was one of the karts on the move through the field, fighting his way back up into the top five. In one of his best drives to date, Schweikert came home just off the podium in position four in a mega drive to finish his weekend off.
Young Aiden spoke post-race of a great fightback and getting to meet one of his idols, Formula 2 world champion Oscar Piastri.
“It was a great result for an up and down day. Highlight of the weekend was meeting Oscar Piastri. Thanks to G & L Motor Repairs and Performance, Hayley Hire and Jeremy Cross for their on-going support. Thanks to dad for all his hard work and bring on the next one”.
Schweikert will most likely be back at the track early next month for the Todd Road Club Day meet.