by Troy, GKC
Stepping up to KA recently, and hosting their first major event, Griffith Kart Club have excelled, proving to be a Club that you want to race at, hosting a benchmark event.
The Joseph Bianchini Memorial with Riverina Cup at Griffith Kart Club over the Anzac Day long weekend proved to be fantastic. With 112 karts across the nine classes, the racing was fast and super exciting. With $105,000 of prizes on offer, it appears to be the largest single event of its kind in the Nation.
The Joseph Bianchini Memorial Trophy, in honour of a former beloved club member is awarded to the Driver with the best attitude, sportsmanship, and spirit shown throughout the event.
The Riverina Cup being awarded to the Karter with best points throughout the event in the largest class within each Junior/Senior division.
Activities commenced on Friday night with a celebration late into the night, in honour of Joseph Bianchini, and the club’s commitment to make this a premier event/venue on the national Calendar. A bellissimo Italian Track Side Dinner with 250 people in attendance, an amazing atmosphere, setting the tone for the weekend. Homemade Salami & Olives, with Ham, Cheese, Bread, Seventy-Five Pizza’s, 100kg of Bolognese sauce, and finished with that gorgeous Tiramisu. Drenched by most with the local Yenda Beer, and DeVine Estate Wines.
Prize giveaways followed the dinner. New chassis, 2 engines, Tyre Sets, Tool Boxes, and a pile of other prizes resulted in smiles everywhere. The Albury Wodonga Kart Club (AWKC) contingent taking home an estimated total of $38,000.
As the clear dawn of Saturday rose, a slight fogginess hung over a vast amount of party attendees. The racing commenced early on Saturday afternoon. A unique format, with no qualifying. Entry orders dictating starting grid for Heat 01. Reverse grid for heat 02 and then into the point system for remaining races. The final, the ultimate decision. With the track looking spectacular, racing commenced.
As the lights lit up the track, the rain started to fall. Racing under lights, pouring rain, commentator Matt Payne described it best, as the Cadet 9’s took to the track, pioneering their way through the unknown. It was wet, spectacular, and not ideal, but truly unique.
Sunday morning, the weather had cleared, and a clean track was set for the pre final and finals. Cadet 9 driver Rory Edmunds showed early pace in the heats, with his club mate Maison Mott pushing hard. However, come Sunday morning, the ever-improving Jace Herraman had the pace, taking the final to claim top of the podium, with Edmunds 2nd, and a very deserved result to Mila Cox (AWKC) claiming third. Local Club member, Charlie Belardo showed early pace in practice, but discovered the slippery attitude of new tyres exiting the out grid, Heat 01, stranded on the ripple strip. We are happy to report that Charlie is home following his racing incident in Heat 03 and cannot wait to get back in the kart!
The largest class of the race meeting was the hotly contested and highly anticipated KA3 Junior Light. With 29 Karts, Local Joseph Bianchini was able to carve through the top 5 and set off for a comfortable win in Heat 01. With true pace, Kart 59 looked set for a good weekend, but that was basically the end of his run, having to battle after early racing incidents forced him backwards in the next 3 races (19th overall). Michael White showing his recent visit and time on track was successful and raced to victory, with Riley Harrison 2nd, and Sebastain Dias 3rd.
Tag Restricted Light was a close field all weekend, with some great racing on track. AWKC racer Matthew Chaston (1st) being able to race clear in the final, ahead of a very tight pack, with Daniel Taborsky 2nd, Chris Brooks 3rd.
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Jensen Damaschino was to dominate all weekend in Cadet 12’s. The talented youngster proved he was too fast, with top of the podium, Patrick Catanzariti on the 2nd step, and the third step filled with Rossi Yau. The top 4 places filled with Australian Karting Championship Contenders, and local club member Koa Patten next in 5th.
Brayden Slama was too good in 4SS, with Andrew Hall 2nd, Scott Rapmund 3rd.
With 4 locals contesting the KA3 Seniors, alongside some of Australia’s best, thrown into this format, it was set to be great racing in KA3 Senior. Local Joseph Belardo had a fantastic weekend, always looking fast and racing super clean. Improving his position every heat, ensuring he started form Pole in the final. Zach Turner also improved his position all weekend and looked to challenge. Belardo 1st, the fast finishing Turner (2nd), with Jack Steer 3rd.
The other three locals all had unlucky weekends, pushing them backwards prior to the final. Luca Belardo, starting from last in the final, with an incredible drive to finish 6th. Oliver Griffiths 9th, and Brock Crossingham 11th also drove super well in the final, after tough weekends.
KA3 Junior heavy allowed Max Mangano to claim top step of the podium, ahead of some closely fought battles all weekend, A great series of very clean racing form some of the Countries best. Alex Hi 2nd, with Jordan Robinso 3rd.
The seniors in Tag Restricted Medium provided some great entertainment, with Paul Pittman superior, top of podium, the local Trev Whitby 2nd and Joshua Herne claiming 3rd. The other club member Kris Centofanti 16th.
The very fast Tag 125 class witnessed Danny Wright being dominate early, but fading away (2nd outright) behind the improving youngster Hugo Garraway simply too quick, 1st and Jax Barrington 3rd.
- Riverina Cup Junior Winner: Michael White
- Riverina Cup Senior Winner: Paul Pittam
With their amazing commitment to Griffith Kart Club and the Riverina Cup, special thanks are extended to the Rapmund family.
- Joseph Bianchini Memorial Winner: Cooper House
With special thanks to the Bianchini Family for their amazing support of this Award.
A massive shout out to the incredible committee and volunteer group that support this Club. You guys are brilliant, have transformed the attitude and energy surrounding this Kart Track!
Without all the event and club sponsors we could not provide such an event. Thank you, on behalf of Griffith Kart Club.
The Club now hosts the Retro Karts, May 25-26th, ahead of Sate Cup, NSW Black Plate and Ultimate Club Racer 2025.
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