Liam Pollard took to the next race meet of his 2022 season, the 36th running of the Panduit City of Melbourne Titles! Pollard racing in the near 20 kart field of TAG 125 Heavy had his work cut out for him against multiple past or current state and national champions.
Liam utilised Friday practice to gain as much driver and set up knowledge as possible before Saturday morning qualifying. Liam hit the track on Saturday morning and was in the zone to try and get the best out of his package and driving. The Hafele backed entry was on the edge of the top 10 and was pushing as hard as possible to get further up the grid. The whole field was only separated by around 1 second, showing the competition standard in the class. Pollard stopped the clock and landed just outside the top 10 in position 12 overall.
Pollard was ready to race hard and try and make his way the field in heat 1. The DSI Engines powered entry settled into positon 12 but has progress was halted. Liam had engine gremlins across the race, resulting in him dropping over 1 second in pace from qualifying. Pollard tried to salvage a result out of what he had and having some luck go his way, Liam was able to come home in position 12 overall.
Heat 2 was where Pollard was looking to rebound from his heat 1 result. Liam and the team had sorted out their engine issues but the racing was thick and fast on the edge of the top 10. The Moment Maintenance sponsored entry was in a close battle outside the top 10 and was trying to put his best foot forward in the race. Pollard finished Saturday with position 13 overall and was starting out of position 12 for heat 3 on Sunday morning.
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Pollard was able to get a clean get away in heat 3 and was once again right on the outside of the top 10 drivers. The Hafele backed entry was having his best race of the weekend, showing improved pace and keeping closer to the lead drivers at the front of the field. Liam was in the battle for positions in the back end of the race and was able to come away with another position 12, having him off the outside of the sixth row for the 17 lap final.
The start of the final was going to be crucial and Liam knew he had to get off the line well. Pollard got a great start and was straight inside the top 10 in the highest he’d been all weekend. The DSI Engines powered entry was driving and performing well and Liam had picked up another 3 tenths in lap speed across the race. Pollard was able to come home with his best result of the weekend in position 9 in the championship decider!
Liam’s father Cameron spoke post weekend on his son’s performance. “Man these guys at the front of the field are fast! We had so many engine issues across the weekend but we managed to get our best result in the final. We tried our guts out but just couldn’t match those front drivers”.
Liam will be back on circuit this weekend at fourth round of the Victorian Country Series at the Horsham Kart Club.
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