Ayrton Dalmaso made the trek from New South Wales down to the Go Kart Club of Victoria for the Australian Kart Championship Shakedown over the weekend. Dalmaso had a successful 2021 season adding another state championship to his tally, while regularly running at the front of the Australian Kart Championship.
Ayrton has joined the championship winning Tom Williamson Motorsport stable over the break and was looking to start the season with a bang. Qualifying was the all important starting point for the young driver’s weekend. In a large field of twenty six drivers, the young driver was focused on getting in a good qualifying session. The Brodburger sponsored entry hit the track and was immediately in the top ten and right in the battle for the front spots. Dalmaso continued to push and improve in lap speed and made his way into the top five and in a real battle for pole position. In a great lap, Ayrton was able to set the fourth fastest time, putting him on the outside of the second row for the heat races.
Dalmaso was out of position four for heat one where he was looking to try and move up the field. The Tom Williamson Motorsport stable driver got a poor start, which often happens to drivers stuck out wide at Todd Road. Ayrton was down in position eight at the end of lap one but now had to dig deep to move back up the field. The young driver made up three positions in the opening five laps and was back in the top five pushing hard. Dalmaso then went up another two spots the following lap moving into the top three. The top two drivers had gapped the field so Ayrton came home in position three with excellent pace in a strong fight back.
Heat two came around Saturday afternoon and Dalmaso was looking to get a better start then he did in heat one. The Brodburger backed entry did just that, jumping up to position two by the end of the opening lap right behind current Cadet 9 national champion Sebastian Eskandari-Marandi. Ayrton stalked the race leader in the opening stage of the race before making a move for the lead on lap six. The two drivers starting swapping positions with Dalmaso taking the lead back on lap 9. The young driver was able to hold his nerve taking out the heat win and finishing Saturday on a high.
Sunday come around and Ayrton was once again on the outside, but this time now on the front row of the grid. The Tom Williamson Motorsport stable driver unfortunately once again got shuffled back off the start, dropping down to position five. Dalmaso made his way back into third spot by mid race but was under pressure in the front pack. Ayrton when looking on for another strong finish however he made a mistake on the final lap putting him back into position five. Dalmaso was disappointed with his third heat and now all eyes were on the final.
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Ayrton was all business in the final getting a good start and in sixth spot. The Brodburger made up three positions on lap two and was up to second spot by lap three. Dalmaso made a move for the lead on lap six and had group of six drivers right behind him applying the pressure. As the race went on it was down to three with the final lap to go. Besides many attacks throughout the lead and one on the last lap, Ayrton was able to hold his nerve and cross the line first and take the win!
Ayrton’s mother Christie spoke post weekend of the big weekend. “What a great weekend of racing! I’m so proud of Ayrton and can’t thank everyone enough for their help this weekend, without them it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Dalmaso will be back in Victoria in three weeks to take on the opening round of Australian Kart Championship.
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