Benjamin Classon head over to the Goulburn Valley Kart Club for the 2nd time this season for the Australasian Kart Titles. Classon ran around the top 5 at the club’s Golden Power Series round earlier in the season but was looking to go further up the finishing order.
Ben had 12 of the best KA4 Junior Heavy drivers in the state of Victoria. Classon hit the track for qualifying and was looking to set a quick time down. The Kosmic kart was working well but the field was extremely close, with top 10 separate by less then half a second. Ben made his way into the top 10 and was trying to improve his time across the hard fought timed session. Ben stopped the clock in position 8 on the outside of the 4th row for the opening 2 heats.
Heat 1 was the opening race of the weekend and Classon was looking to move forward through the field. Ben had a poor start to his race after being involved in a first corner incident and put to the rear of the field. Classon put his head down and tried to close in on the top 10 while setting fastest laps then the drivers ahead of him. Ben lost so much track position he crossed the line in position 11 with plenty of work to do in the remaining heats.
Ben was looking to rebound in heat 2 and get a clean get away and move forward across the field. Classon slotted into position 8 but made his way up to position 7 by lap 2. Ben was in a battle for position 7 and 8 for the entire race, but was setting improved lap times from the 1st heat and was well inside the top 10. Classon was able to cross the line in position 7 overall in a nice recovery from the opening heat.
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Heat 3 was the final race before the all-important final and Ben was out of position number 7. Classon moved straight into position 6 on the opening lap and now had the head down to go after the top 5 drivers. Ben was driving the wheels of his Kosmic kart trying everything he could to make a race of the top 5 drivers. Classon crossed the line in position 6 overall and was chasing a top 5 result going into the final.
20 laps was the journey for the all-important final and Classon knew his start was going to be crucial for the event. Ben had luck on his side on lap 1 where he was able to dodge the opening lap drama and drive his way into position 3. Ben stayed in position 3 the opening half of the race but had pressure coming from behind for the final podium position. Classon held his nerve and was able to come away on the podium in 3rd position!
Ben’s father Paul spoke post weekend on the progress his young driver made. “We didn’t have the pace in qualifying and then heat 1 put us back in the field. Ben chipped away at it all weekend and got himself into a position where he could challenge in the final. Luck has gone against us plenty of times so to get some good luck and grab a podium was a nice result”.
Classon will have little rest making his first trip to the Rochester Kart Club for season 2022 for the 5th round of the Golden Power Series this weekend.
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