Ritter’s Retro Vic Title

by Kev ‘The Noise’ Davies

Nothing short of incredible is how I would describe the weekend’s action at Albury Wodonga for the DPE kart Superstore Retro Karting Australia Victorian State Championships!

Four classes contested the event – Clubman Light, Clubman Heavy, Clubman Super Heavy & F100 at Pro-Weight.

Mixed practice, Natasha Emmins (Energy/Clubman) ahead of Paul Rodgers (PCR/F100) and Kemble Walsh (pic – Kev Davies)

Through qualifying & heats it was actually hard to say who would eventually win with drivers coming good towards the end of the weekend, others struggling to keep the pace going and some favourites really struggling with the new tyre.

Too much air for Jason Pringle, F100 (pic – Kev Davies)

Clubman Super Heavy was competitive throughout the day. Bruce Otter saw off the challenge from Straughney and constantly found himself behind the front two and at times challenging them. Those front two were Dave Musgrave and Keith (Choppy) Ford who shared wins, but in the final it was the class act of Choppy Ford that got the win. He also claimed pole in qualifying and set his day up perfectly, the pair shared the lead during the final 50/50 but with a lap to go Choppy made his move and that was that! Matt Long just couldn’t get his set up where he wanted it and settled for 4th. Dan Walsh and Brett Jenkin had great drives to get 5th & 6th respectively This one had me on the edge of my seat! Incredible is not enough for this one, it was amazing!

Keith Ford, 1st in Clubman Super Heavy (pic – Kev Davies)

Clubman Heavy was another class that had one favourite who, from the get go, was on pace and in control. That driver was Gian Rossi. He knew there would be a challenge but didn’t know where it may come from. Trevor Whitby was fast all weekend long and was looking to make a challenge in the final but disaster struck when on lap 10 his chain came off. Mitchell Sutej was impressive and after taking the lead early on just couldn’t go with the front pack once they passed him. Stephen Roffe was one of the pre-race favourites, but just couldn’t get the kart in the window and came home 4th. Richie Rapa was super competitive and and brought the #15 kart home in 3rd. From a poor start the Tasmanian Trent Palmer worked his way through the field to come home in second and the winner, after a very impressive weekend of racing, was Gian Rossi.

Gian Rossi, 1st in Clubman Heavy (pic – Kev Davies)

Clubman Light had quality drivers right through the field and if it wasn’t for small issues or set ups that weren’t quite in the sweet spot, a challenge for the win could have come from Beeraz, Croke, Bell, Hamilton & Thompson. Ian Beeraz had one of the best battles we saw all weekend with young Chloe Potter that had everyone on the fence-line! It was Chloe who eventually got the better of that battle with a couple of corners to go, giving her third place. Out front, the team mates Travis Lichtenberger & Chris Sandrone were to fight it out for the win. Travis took the lead on Lap 1 but Chris soon went through and would not be caught from there, taking the title.

Chris Sandrone, 1st in Clubman Light (pic – Kev Davies)

Last but not least, F100 at Pro-Weight was stacked with talent and you honestly couldn’t pick the winner. The two Tasmanians once again showed great pace and after a good start Danton Evans climbed from 7th to 5th but then faded back to 8th. Teammate Jackson Evans had a better run and starting from 4th was with the front pack and challenging for a podium throughout the race and eventually had to settle for 4th. One of the pre-race favourites unfortunately went out on lap one, turn one with a detached chain – that was Jason Pringle! His team mate Aaron Rintoul, was also caught up in that incident and having started from pole, he went to the rear of the field but gallantly fought back to 6th! Fifth place went to Ryan Aitkin with a great late charge. In 3rd, having made up 3 places, was the #89 of Anthony Mrhar. Second place went to Steve Riddell with a great drive from 9th and a quickest lap in the final of a 41.355. But the winner was Greg Ritter who led from start to finish with a great measured drive to take the chocolates!