The SP Tools Australian Kart Championship proudly presented by Castrol Edge returned to the sunshine state over the weekend, for the fourth round of the championship.
Cadet 9 sensation Cruz Kelly returned to the Emerald Kart Club looking to continue his championship assault in strong fashion. Kelly has had a block buster 2022, taking out state championships in the state of Victoria and Queensland along with a round win and two podiums in the Australian Kart Championship.
Cruz was looking to Friday afternoon qualifying to start his weekend with a bang. Kelly had shown strong pace in Friday practice and the young man up against a class of near twenty five Cadet 9 drivers was ready for battle. The AWC Motorsport backed entry was able to put himself into the top ten immediately but was lacking some engine power from his early sessions. Cruz was able to make his way into the top five but was still struggling with reduced power and unable to make inroads on the top drivers. Kelly was able to round out the session in a superb fifth spot considering his issues and now looked to heat one to try turn his weekend around.
Heat one was the kick off point on Saturday morning for young Cruz and his team. Kelly got a clean get away and was able to slot into fifth spot at the end of the opening lap. The CS Pure Racing sponsored entry was shuffled back to eighth spot and was unfortunately still battling with engine power issues. Cruz was able to make no further in roads and crossed the line in position eight with work to do to get the young driver back in contention.
The Anarchy Kartsport were able to rectify the power issue in qualifying and heat one and Kelly was now ready to throw everything at heat two. Cruz got an excellent start moving up to third spot on the opening lap of the race and looking extremely quick. Kelly was able to make a move for second spot on lap three before taking the lead on lap four. The Anarchy Kartsport powered and sponsored entry didn’t look back from there, taking victory by nearly two and half seconds in a dominate display!
Position three was the starting point for Cruz in the third heat, with the young driver moving up to second spot straight away on the opening lap. The Tecno Karts Australia supported entry was right behind his stable mate Jenson Damaschino, before taking the lead on lap two. Kelly put in smooth laps and was able to open up margin on the field and take another controlled heat victory. With a near three second victory, Cruz was looking quick heading into Sunday’s final two races.
Kelly was once again on the inside of the second row for heat four and looking to get away cleanly. The AWC Motorsport sponsored entry got a blistering start and was in the lead of the race by the end of lap one. Cruz had his Tecno kart on absolute rails as he continued to open up margin on the rest of the field. Kelly was able to make it three out of four heat wins, by putting a devastating six and half seconds on the rest of the field. Cruz was off the best seat in the house in pole position for the round defining final race.
The CS Pure Racing supported entry was once again able to nail his start and take the lead. Kelly put in smooth consistent laps at the front and was pulling away from the rest of the field. In a dominate and breath taking display, Cruz was able to come through and take his second SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round win by a mammoth seven seconds!
Cruz father Marcus spoke at completion of racing on his son’s performance. “I’m so proud of Cruz. We had some engine dramas to start the weekend but the Anarchy Kartsport team were able to sort this out for us. From there the missile never looked back and I’m so proud of him”.
Kelly will be back to contest the final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship at the Newcastle Kart Club.