Aiden Schweikert continued his flat out season of racing at the 40th running of the Junior Sprint Classic over the weekend. Schweikert who had been a regular top 5 runner in the Cadet 12 category across the Victorian ranks, was looking to race hard and fast around the Eastern Lions Kart Club circuit!
Schweikert hit the track on Saturday after practice for the all important qualifying session amongst the near 25 driver field. The Link Airways sponsored entry quickly made his way into the top half of the field and then into the top 10 drivers. Aiden was putting in fast and consistent laps and was trying to make his way as far up the grid as possible. Schweikert stopped the session in position 9 overall, being on the inside of the 5th row of the grid!
Aiden was out of position 9 for his opening heat and was looking to get a clean get away. The G & L Motor Repairs and Performance entry got a great start and moved up a position on the opening lap. By half race, Schweikert was up to position 6 and was pushing hard to get into the top 5. Aiden unfortunately got shuffled back 3 positions in the final few laps in some tough Cadet 12 racing. Schweikert crossed the line in position 9 overall and now looked to heat 2 to try and gain positions.
Heat 2 was on Saturday afternoon and Aiden was looking to move up positions once again. Schweikert didn’t get the start he was hoping for, dropping down to position 11 on the opening lap. The Jeremy Cross Physio backed entry got his head down and started to try and make his way forward across the race. Aiden climbed back into the top 10 and then another few positions forward in the final few laps. In a great recovery, Schweikert crossed the line in position 8 overall!
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Heat 3 was the final race on Saturday afternoon and Aiden had his sights set on moving forward across the race. The Haley Hire backed entry got a much better start then his previous heat and was into position 7 on the opening lap. Schweikert had excellent pace and quickly made his way into the top 5 drivers. Aiden was in a battle on the edge of the top 5 and was pushing hard for positions. Schweikert crossed the line in position 6 overall to finish Saturday’s racing.
Schweikert’s final heat of the weekend was on Sunday morning and he was focusing on getting the best result he could. Aiden got another great start jumping immediately into the top 5 and then into 4th position in the early stages. The Motiv8 backed entry was pushing hard and was in a battle for positions in and on the edge of the top 5 in a tough race. Schweikert put in another consistent performance in a strong field and came home in position 6 overall!
Position 7 was the starting point for the championship decider over 15 laps for Schweikert and he was looking for a top 5 finish. The Melbourne Kart Centre supported driver got an excellent start and went straight into the top 4 on lap 1. Aiden was pushing hard and was sitting in position 5 for the majority of the race showing excellent pace. Schweikert was unfortunately shuffled back on the final few laps and crossed the line in position 9 overall!
Aiden’s father Justin spoke post weekend on his young son’s excellent pace and the good sportsmanship between the Cadet 12 drivers. “It was a great weekend. Aiden was in the mix every race. He’s growing every time he hits the track. An unfortunate incident on the last lap of the final sent him down the order a bit, however we wanted to thank and congratulate Jai for his amazing sportsmanship. He decided to call Aiden up and give him his trophy.”
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