Mathew Basso returned to the Victorian Country Series over the weekend at the Warnambool Kart Club. Basso had a superb opening round of the series qualifying on pole position and coming home in second spot behind newly crowned state champion James Anagnostiadis. Saturday practice was a wet cold start to the day, but Mathew was able to run at the front of the times all day in preparation from qualifying.
Basso set the third fastest lap in timed practice, so was third out the gate from a wet qualifying. Just as the drivers were ready to hit the track a timing issue meant that qualifying was abandoned, and Mathew was to start heat one on Sunday morning from third position overall.
Basso got to the circuit on Sunday morning to wet and tough conditions to start Sunday racing. Mathew got a mediocre start dropping back to fourth position on the opening lap. Basso was able to make his way back up to second spot overall in the early stages. Mathew showed great pace but couldn’t quite reel in the race leader and had to settle for a strong second position overall. The young driver was now looking to heat two to continue his charge forward.
Mathew was now off the front row of the grid for heat two and was looking to challenge the race leader. Basso dropped down to position number three off the start and now had his head down to make his way back through the field. By lap three the young driver was back up into second position and chasing after the race leader. Mathew threw everything he had in his arsenal at the race leader to try close the margin. Basso set the fastest lap of the race but once again had to settle for second position overall, setting up for a fascinating final.
The track had dried up for the final and Basso was looking to challenge for victory! Basso settled into second position and was applying large pressure to the race leader. Mathew was able to make his way into the lead, but the very next corner Basso was hit from behind and driven over the top of, taking him out of race winning contention. After re-joining from the wet grass of circuit in position ten, Mathew was able to drive his way back up into the top five position overall.
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Mathew spoke post weekend of his heart break. “I can’t believe I was hit from behind like I was in the final. I was driving well all weekend with really good pace. The guys from Melbourne Kart Centre did a fantastic job at help to set my kart up perfectly. I feel like I am driving well at the moment and can’t wait to get back out on track soon and start getting some good results behind me”.
Mathew’s father spoke post weekend about his young drivers racing. “We had great pace all weekend. Wet or dry we had everyone covered and to have what happened in the final to Mathew was heart breaking. He has had two karts jump over him in the past three races. He has speed, now we just have to put ourselves in the right position to take advantage and start getting some good results”.
Mathew would like to thank: Castrol Racing Australia, Melbourne Kart Centre, PREPD Hydration, Oakley Australia, San Remo Pasta, Platinum Potions, Mayhem Tools, Unit Clothing, Atlas Neck Braces, Saka Water, Bakers Delight Dromana, 808 Dude, Secure Max & Co, Motiv8 Training, Raceline Motorsport racewear, Spark Plugs Direct, DPE Kart Superstore, New Balance, MEARTH Electric Scooters.
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