by Chelsea Preen for Karting NSW
Competitors and spectators alike were treated to perfect racing weather over the weekend at Manning Valley Kart Club for Round 3 of the Dunlop Kart Stars Series. True to his word, Director of Competition Greg McLandsborough put on the good weather, with the rain (mostly… shhhh) holding off until the final chequered flag had fallen—though a light drizzle added a touch of atmosphere to presentation.
Set against a scenic backdrop just outside Wingham on the Mid North Coast, Manning Valley—Karting NSW’s most northern track—attracted an impressive 128 entries across nine classes. The strong turnout is a testament to the club’s friendly, welcoming environment and reputation for delivering a fun and competitive racing experience.
Rookies delivered another thrilling show, with Hudson Petta and Aidan McCabe engaged in a weekend-long battle for the top spot. Ultimately, it was Petta who secured the overall win. Special mentions go to Kody Jenkins for the fastest lap in the final, Max Goodman for an impressive debut at the track, Chayse Attard for his mid-pack battles, and Braxson Gray, who despite not getting a lap in for qualifying was just 0.15 seconds of Petta in the final.
In the Novice category, the youngest competitors proved they could steal the spotlight too. With just one-tenth of a second separating the top five drivers, Dean Bitmead emerged victorious in the final. He was joined on the podium by Veyron Yuen and Lennox Fielding, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry between the trio in future rounds.
The 4SS class, once humorously dubbed “an old man’s class” by this writer, delivered tight racing and admirable sportsmanship. Veteran driver Michael Russell took the win, though only a tenth of a second separated the top four. Notably, Shelby Hinde—granddaughter of karting stalwart Bob Hinde—returned to the track again ahead of the Grenfell round and the Bob Hinde Memorial.
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TaG Restricted, the largest class of the weekend, showcased intense competition, though not without some unfortunate incidents. Amy Bregonje returned after an eight-month hiatus and impressed with a strong mid-field pace, though was caught up in incidents that dropped her to 14th overall. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Nate Hughes, newly signed as a Five Lights Design ambassador, dominated the field in his recently acquired kart, sweeping all sessions for a well-deserved victory. He was closely challenged by Noah Lees and local legend Riley Rouse, who couldn’t quite match his pace.
In TaG 125, reigning state champion Chris Bregonje led the field, though he faced constant pressure from local favourite Tyler Budden and young talent Joshua Hunter. The final standings saw Bregonje take the win, followed by Hunter and Budden—three drivers expected to be top contenders for the remainder of the series.
The Junior Light field saw several standout performances, including a strong showing by Jamie-Lee Su, who recently tested an F4 car and has been steadily moving up the field in the last 6 months. Her highlight was a third-place finish in Heat 3. At the front, Hayden Mules continued his dominant form from Round 2, fending off challenges from Bobby Burns, Angus Maxworthy (current state champion), Ben Stabile, and Tyler Jenkins. Mules’ consistency earned him the top spot on the podium, backing up his win at Bega, followed by Burns and Maxworthy.
Junior Heavy produced another nail-biter, with just a tenth of a second separating the top six drivers. In the end, Jai Salter emerged as the winner, ahead of George Miles and Lawrence Lee Su in second and third respectively—further proof of the high calibre of competition among these young racers.
Finally, Senior Performance featured the much-anticipated “Battle of the Baileys,” with Bailey Mules and Bailey Harris trading places throughout the weekend. They were joined by Levi Gibson and Hunter Hague in an intense contest, with Tyler Koenig and Jake Ambler also making their mark. When the dust settled, it was Gibson who claimed victory, followed by Mules and Harris on the podium.
As the Dunlop Kart Stars Series continues to heat up, all eyes now turn to Round 4 at Grenfell Kart Club, scheduled for July 5–6. With rivalries intensifying and standout drivers emerging in each class, the upcoming round promises even more on track action.
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