Classon Clean Sweeps Junior Sprint

Benjamin Classon took to his home track over the weekend for the 40th running of the annual Junior Sprint Classic! Classon has had a breakout season in 2022, with 2 Golden Power Series round wins along with podiums and strong results at many major race meetings.

With a strong field of 20 drivers in the KA4 Junior Heavy field, Classon was ready to go to war across 2 days of hard racing! Classon had 2 practice sessions on Saturday morning then hit the track for qualifying against some of the states and countries best drivers.

The Kosmic karter was driving well and was immediately into the top 10, then the top 5 and right in the battle for pole position. Ben went to the top of the times but had his head down to improve and hold off the rest of the field. Classon ended the session in pole position by only 2 hundredths of a second in an extremely close battle. Ben was off pole position for the all important opening heat and was keen to start his racing with a win.

Classon was able to get a clean get away and lead the race in the opening few laps. The local driver was leading the way but had pressure from behind from another local driver, Grace Riddell. Ben was driving the wheels off his package and was able to hold his nerve and take the opening heat win by a small 4 tenths of a second.

(pic – Tim Francis)

Heat 2 was the final race on Saturday. Classon was looking to take back to back heat wins to conclude day 1 of racing. Ben got another clean get away and once again led out of the opening lap, trying to put the race to bed early. With some hard racing behind and fast driving, Classon was able to peel away from the rest of the field with no pressure in the back end of the race. Ben crossed the line to make it 2 out of 2 heat wins and was going into Sunday full of confidence!

Heat 3 was early on Sunday morning and Ben was back at the track to try and replicate his perfect day from Saturday. Classon was able to retain his lead in the opening lap but was straight into a battle with local driver Riddell. Both drivers had their chance to lead the race but Ben was hell bent on holding onto his lead and his unbeaten record. In a super tight finish, Classon was able to make it 3 from 3 by taking victory by 8 hundredths of a second!



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Classon was off pole position for his final heat race and was looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. Ben led out of the opening lap but dropped the lead to his rival, Riddell in the middle stages. With 3 laps to go, Classon was able to take the lead back and was doing everything he could to hold onto the win. Ben was able to make it 4 straight wins by 4 tenths of a second!

The 15 lap championship decider had arrived and Ben was off pole position. The Kosmic karter got a clean get away and opened up margin in the early stages. Classon had a massive challenge mid race from Riddell once again and this put his title aspirations in doubt. In a calm and polished performance, Ben reopened the margin and was able to cross the line to become the Junior Sprint Classic champion!

Ben’s father Paul spoke post weekend on his son’s weekend. “Ben drove like a true champion all weekend. We had multiple challenges from Grace and the other front runners. The pressure came down on him in the final. To his credit he held his nerve and I’m so proud of his results”.

Classon will now head to Gippsland in 2 and half weeks for the final round of the Golden Power Series.



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