Blake Haigh hit the track at Newcastle Kart Club over the weekend for the final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship. Haigh was going into the weekend looking to wrap up 3rd spot in the championship and chase further strong results across the weekend.
Blake, running under the Project X racing banner knew qualifying was going to be crucial for his weekend. Haigh knew he had to have to finish both of the opening heats to keep him in the hunt. The Eni Oils and Lubrication Australia backed entry was able to come away with a consistent position 7 in heat 1.
Blake was able to put himself right in the front group in heat 2 with some excellent driving pacing him in position 3. Position 5 was the starting spot for Haigh in heat 3 where he was looking to keep his strong weekend going.
Heat 3 was once again a crucial heat going into Sunday’s racing. Haigh didn’t get the start he was after, getting shuffled back to the back end of the top 10 of the start. The Inner Brisbane Realty backed entry regrouped and moved into 8th position but had a fair margin to chase down the top 7 drivers. Blake was able to cross the line with another consistent result of position 8 going into Sundays final heat and final.
Sunday morning came around and Blake’s team tuned up his kart and got the young driver in tune ready for a big day of racing. Haigh got a great start and immediately got into the top 3 drivers and was looking strong. The Dentworld Paintless Dent Removal supported entry was showing incredible pace and made his way into the lead of the race. Blake’s Project X Racing entry was working well as he battled for the race lead. In the best result of his weekend so far, Haigh was able to take victory and put himself out of position 4 for the final.
advertisement
The nerves were high but Blake was ready to give it his all in the round win deciding race. Haigh got a great start off the start and slotted into position 3. Blake did a brilliant job to be in the lead pack all race and was trying everything he could to get up in the fight for the lead. Haigh moved into 2nd spot in the back end of the race and was chasing after race leader. Blake was able to come through and take 2nd position in the final round which was enough to clinch 3rd position in the Australian Kart Championship.
Blake’s father spoke post weekend on his young drivers tolling 3 days of racing. “As a parent racing a cadet it can be the most exciting, rewarding, and proud time. On the other hand, I think I can speak for everyone when I say it doesn’t come without those days when you wake up, look at them and think yep, I know how this day is going to go hahaha.
“We race them for 3 days straight, with high pressure in the heat, the rain and freezing cold. Sometimes we forget they are kids because they can be so resilient. I couldn’t be prouder of how Blake went this weekend. Through all the highs and lows he never gave up and when he did decide to fire on all cylinders he was an absolute legend”.
Haigh will be one to watch for the remainder of the 2022 season and for 2023 and beyond.
advertisement