Basso’s Blue Plate

Mathew Basso spent his long weekend trying to add another major title to his growing resume, the Victorian Kart Championship. Basso has won many major titles over his karting career but has yet to come home with a prestigious state champions blue plate.

Mathew has had a fruitful start to the season 2023, which includes him leading both major championships in Victoria! Friday practice was utilised well with Mathew showing excellent speed by being in the top 2 drivers every session. This had Basso feeling confident going into qualifying he could be one of the main chances.

(pic – Tim Francis)

Mathew hit the track Saturday morning and immediately put himself in the front battle and fight for pole position. Basso dipped under the 43 second bracket and went to the top of the time sheets. Mathew was able to hold his nerve and grab pole position for the all-important championship!

Basso hit the track for heat 1 and was starting out of position 1 of the large field. Mathew got the jump off the start and led out of the opening few laps. Basso went to work and was able to open up a sizable margin on the rest of the field. Mathew had his kart and his driving in a fast and hot window and was able to take victory in heat 1 by over 2 and half seconds!

Mathew had his final race on Saturday afternoon, and he was looking to take a clean sweep of results on Saturday. Basso had another lighting start and continued to lead the large field away. Once again, Mathew was driving like his kart was on train tracks, setting lighting pace and pulling away from the rest of the field. Basso rounded out Saturday in perfect fashion setting the fastest lap of the race, winning heat 2 and clean sweeping Saturday’s racing!



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Sunday morning came around and Basso came into the day with excitement and nerves looking to win his first state championship. Mathew was once again off pole position for his final heat and got another excellent start leading the field away. Like the weekend so far, Basso was able to open up margin and pull away from the rest of the field. Mathew was able to set another fastest lap and take his 3rd consecutive heat win!

Basso was off position 1 for the championship deciding 20 lap final! The nerves were high going into the final as Basso was looking to take out his maiden state championship. Mathew was able to get another brilliant start and was leading out of the opening few laps. Once the dust had settled off the start, Mathew was able to do what he had done all weekend and open a margin on the rest of the field. Basso put in the perfect final and perfect weekend leading every lap, qualifying on pole, winning every heat, and now taking out the championship final!

Mathew had done what he had strived for so long to do and win the Victorian Kart Championship! Mathew’s father Paul couldn’t be prouder of his son. “Mathew finally won a state championship. He drove fantastic all weekend and we’re just so excited for the young man. People forgot that he is still only 12 years old and should still be in the Cadet class. For him to go out there and race against much older kids is just awesome”.

Mathew spoke of his crowning moment in his karting career. “Finally, I can be called a state champion. We have worked so hard, and I couldn’t have done this without the support of all my sponsors and partners but especially to James Sera from Melbourne Kart Centre. The guy is an absolute legend, and he has helped me become a much better driver over the past 2 years. I can’t thank him enough”.

Mathew and his team would like to thank to Castrol Racing, UNIT Clothing, NGK Spark Plugs, MEARTH Electric Scooters, Atlas Neck Braces, Oakley Australia, Platinum Potions, Mayhem Tools, Ethika, PREPD Hydration, Albek Luggage, SAKA Water, 808 Dude, Secure Max & Co, Bakers Delight, Raceline Motorsports Racewear, New Balance and MotiV8 Training.



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