Auckland’s Nathan Crang will take plenty of confidence from strong form across the Tasman in the final round of the SP Tools Australian Karting Championships in Newcastle.
The 17-year-old impressed to finish ninth in the final of the KZ2 class and placed 15th overall, after missing the first round of the championships because of covid, and saving his best form for last at the weekend.
He did not start well with a DNF in the first heat but was 13th in the next, then eighth in the third heat after passing eight karts in the process. Crang was aggressive pushing up to ninth from 16th spot in the final heat but failed to finish for a second dnf. He was back in 16th for the final, but streaked up to ninth with some outstanding overtaking on the tricky, tight Newcastle circuit.
“The track was all lefts then rights which made passing very difficult,” said Nathan’s father Vaughan Crang.
“Daniel Bray, who comes with us as coach and mechanic of the Parolin team, said it was the best that Nathan has driven.
“He was very aggressive, which you need to be in Australia. There were fields of 37 karts with only half a second covering the field in qualifying. If you are not super-aggressive then you get nowhere.”
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They utilise a Shamick kart with Bray bringing over their engine as well as looking after the engines for the rest of the Parolin team.
“It has given Nathan some real confidence. We will target the whole series next year as well as chasing the big events in New Zealand, starting with nationals this weekend.”
Marco Manson had some qualify placings including two top-10s in heats to get a useful draw for the final in Cadet12, but a DNF spoiled a strong showing.
His brother Sebastian had two DNFs in the KA2 class but showed some impressive speed to finish seventh and sixth in the other two heats. He started 20th in the final and made his way forward before he was caught in a melee and did not finish.
Damien Bugler was the remaining kiwi competing, finishing 26th in the TaG 125 class.
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