Denzil Sargent crossed the Tasman for another visit over the weekend to take on the 36th running of the Panduit City of Melbourne Kart Titles.
Sargent is based out of Tasmania and does most of his racing out of the state, was competing in the KA4 Junior Heavy category at the Todd Road circuit. Denzil who had already taken home a Victorian Kart Championship podium in 2022 was looking for more silverware in the state of Victoria.
Sargent utilised Friday practice for set up and driver tuning and went into Saturday morning qualifying as one of the main fancies for pole position. The Forty Seven Kart Tuning supported entry quickly put himself into the top 5 and was in the battle for the number 1 starting position. Denzil was able to put in a lap that put him to the top of the time sheets late in the session. Sargent was able to land pole position by 2 and half tenths and was now starting in the best possible spot for the heats.
Denzil knew he had to lead down to turn 1 to try and put himself in the best possible position for heat 1. The Latrobe Kart Supplies sponsored entry led out of the opening lap but had pressure coming from behind from Victorian front runner Benjamin Classon. Sargent was feeling the heat across the race but was able to hold his nerve and cross the line in position 1. An unfortunate post-race starting penalty had dropped Denzil down to be classified in position 3.
Sargent and his team were looking to bounce back after being stripped of their heat 1 victory. Denzil once again nailed the start and led out of the opening corner and opening lap. The Maxfield Drilling supported entry led the first half of the race but had Classon and Alexander Cirone trying to apply the pressure from behind. Denzil was able to hold his nerve and come home with the heat 2 victory! This had Sargent on the outside of the front row for his final heat Sunday morning.
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Heat 3 determined the starting spot of the final so Denzil knew his start was a crucial part of the race. Heartbreak occurred for the Tasmanian at turn 1 being hit from behind and re-joining at the rear of the field. Sargent returned to the track in position 18 and put the head down to try and make his way through the field. The Tony Kart was working well and Denzil was able to quickly make his way into the top 15 and then top 10. In a storming drive, Sargent was able to cross the line in position 7 in a brilliant recovery!
The inside of row 4 was where Sargent was starting from and he knew he had to make up spots quickly. The Forty Seven Kart Tuning backed entry got a brilliant start and by the end of lap 1 was in the top 5 and by the end of lap 3 was in the top 3 drivers. Denzil had a race long battle for Isabel Rowe and Alexander Cirone in an epic kart race. Sargent was able to cross the line on the podium in position 3 overall!
Denzil’s mother Tamara spoke post weekend on her young son’s driving. “It was great to see Denzil at the front of the field this weekend. He hasn’t been to the track since 2019 but he was able to adapt very quickly putting himself off pole position. Heat 3 hurt our starting spot for the final but to his credit he fought his way back through and we’re very happy with his performance”.
Sargent will be back on track this weekend in his home state of Tasmania.
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