by Merik Nesbitt
A beautiful sunny winter weekend in Northern Victoria set the stage for GPS Round 5 at Albury Wodonga, delivering edge-of-your-seat racing from start to finish.
Over 300 drivers from across Australia, including NSW, VIC, SA, and QLD, gathered to battle it out, and the event ran flawlessly, allowing everyone to focus on skill and determination. With the Golden Power Series Round 5 trophy on the line, no driver was willing to settle for second or third, every competitor fought fiercely for that top spot!
- scroll to the bottom for photo gallery
- full results on Speedhive HERE
- more photos by Steve Dansie – pit shots HERE. Saturday HERE, Sunday HERE, podiums HERE
- more photos by Tim Francis HERE
Cadet 9 – Sponsored by Kart Equip
Zac Ismaili set the tone in qualifying, taking pole and joining teammate Zac Duynhoven for a Hindle Karting front-row lockout. From there, the weekend delivered non-stop, wheel-to-wheel racing as every driver fought for the top step.
Heat 1 saw Bellbowen charge from sixth to first for a hard-fought win, with Xiong, Ismaili, and Pugliese close behind, while Djemil clocked the fastest lap. In Heat 2, Djemil turned that speed into victory ahead of Ismaili and Kelly, who set the fastest lap. Heat 3 brought a strong rebound from Ismaili, taking the win over Xiong, Djemil, Duynhoven, and Bellbowen, with Testa setting the quickest time.
The final was a showcase of close racing, with Djemil leading early as Kelly and Ismaili stayed in striking distance. Bellbowen and Xiong kept the pressure on, ensuring no moment was easy for the leaders. Djemil took the win, followed by Kelly in second and Ismaili in third, with Bellbowen fourth and Xiong fifth.
Cadet 12 – Sponsored by Narellan Pools Albury
Qualifying was incredibly close, with Sammy Jensen Van Vuren snatching pole by 0.1 second ahead of Ethan Turnbull and Rossi Yau. Van Vuuren and Turnbull kept the pressure on all weekend, delivering standout performances in every race.
Van Vuuren claimed Heat 1, chased by Yau and Turnbull. Heat 2 saw Jarvis Hindle edge out Turnbull in a nail-biter, with Hsieh right on their heels, before Hindle backed it up with another Heat 3 victory over Turnbull and Van Vuuren.
The final was a thriller, with Turnbull taking the win ahead of Yau, Busuttil, Calisici, and Wood. Hindle also etched his name into the record books, setting a blistering new lap record of 45.24 seconds as the field battled for the top spot.
KA3 Junior Light – Sponsored by Casey Constructions
Kart Class driver Luca Portaro pulled off a stunning qualifying performance, snatching pole after securing the only extra lap and jumping from outside the top 10.
He carried that form into Heat 1, taking the hole shot and leading every lap to win by 2.1 seconds over Mason Lucchitti, with Lily Sugden third. Heat 2 was another dominant drive from Portaro, this time winning by 3.3 seconds ahead of Lana Flack and Riley Harrison. Heat 3 saw the tables turn, with TWM’s Flack claiming victory over Portaro and Sugden.
The final was a thriller. In the closing laps, contact between Braxton Regan and Portaro dropped the pole-sitter from first to ninth, opening the door for Flack to charge through for the win. Lucchitti finished second, Jai George third, Michael White fourth, and Liam Weatherhead completed the top five.
KA3 Junior Heavy – Sponsored by Tasco Petroleum
HJR driver Max Mangano was in dominant form all weekend, starting with pole position in qualifying by 0.312 seconds over Mia Mifsud and Jayden Gauci.
In Heat 1, Mangano grabbed the lead off the start and never looked back, crossing the line over five seconds clear, with Mifsud in second and Joel McGrath third. Heat 2 saw more of the same, Mangano taking another comfortable win ahead of Aydan Warren and Chelsea Humphrey. Heat 3 was a closer contest, but Mangano still came out on top, followed by Zain Shmeissem and Humphrey.
The final was all Mangano once again — his kart looked unstoppable as he completed a clean sweep, winning by 4.5 seconds. Shmeissem claimed second, and Warren was promoted to third after post-race penalties were applied.
KA3 Senior Light – Sponsored by DC Building Contractors
The always-competitive KA3 Senior Light category lived up to expectations, with local hope Zach Turner aiming to continue his strong home-track form. However, Christian Estasy spoiled the script in qualifying, edging pole by just 0.144 seconds over Zach Findlay, with Will Thompson third.
Heat 1 was a tight duel between Estasy and Findlay, with Estasy taking the win ahead of Findlay and Brodie Whitmore. Heat 2 saw the order shuffle, Whitmore claiming victory from Turner and Estasy. In Heat 3, Estasy fought back to reclaim the top step, with Whitmore second and Findlay third.
The final was a thriller, with no one willing to give an inch. In the end, Whitmore snatched victory by just 0.08 seconds over Estasy, while Findlay finished third, only 0.3 seconds behind.
KA3 Senior Medium – Sponsored by James Harris Automotive
JSH driver Jarrod Bottomley came into the weekend in top form, securing pole in qualifying by an incredible 0.002 seconds over Bodhi Bright, with Ryan Dealy third, Tommy Roso fourth, Luke Richards fifth, and Blake Worboys sixth — all within a tenth of a second.
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The heats delivered close racing and surprise results. In Heat 1, Bottomley and Dealy traded the lead multiple times before Bottomley edged the win, with Dealy second and Richards third. Heat 2 saw Thomas Patching charge from seventh to snatch victory ahead of local driver and new dad Worboys, with Dealy third. Heat 3 brought another win for Patching, followed by Worboys and Bottomley.
The final was pure chaos. Croc Promotion driver Worboys was spun in turn one on the opening lap, while Dealy led early before being passed by Richards. The battles kept coming, and by lap seven, Roso emerged in front, holding on for the win. Richards finished second and Julian Lynch completed the podium in third — a fitting end to a wild, action-packed race.
Vic Comb Masters – Sponsored by Platform 9 Coffee Roasters
As the veterans of the sport took to the track for qualifying, the battle for pole was wide open. Local Croc Promotion driver Herman Van Ree set an early pace, but it was Carlos Del Toro who ultimately claimed the fastest lap, joined on the front row by Steven Riddell and Mark Appleby.
Heat 1 belonged to Riddell, who grabbed the holeshot and led every lap to take the win by two seconds over Simon Gwilliam, with Clayton Grove third. Heat 2 was more of the same, Riddell claiming another strong victory ahead of Gwilliam and Del Toro. Heat 3 continued the rhythm, with Riddell narrowly taking first, followed by Gwilliam and Grove.
The final, however, saw the tables turn. Mid-race, Gwilliam pushed hard to wrestle the lead from Riddell, sparking intense battles among the top three. In the end, Gwilliam took the win, Del Toro finished second, and Riddell had to settle for third — a thrilling finale to an action-packed weekend.
TaG 125 Light – Sponsored by Garraway Group
The TaG Light category promised a tight battle, and qualifying confirmed it — the top six drivers were separated by just 0.1 seconds. Pro Karting driver Amos Orr edged out William Thompson by 0.012 seconds to claim pole, with Hugo Garraway third, Zach Findlay fourth, Sam March fifth, and Brodie Whitmore sixth.
Heat 1 delivered close racing, with Thompson taking the win, Orr second, and Whitmore third. Heat 2 saw Garraway storm to the front by lap two and hold the lead to the finish, followed closely by Thompson and Orr. Heat 3 had Thompson determined to respond, grabbing the lead from the start and holding on for victory, with Orr second and Whitmore third.
In the final, Thompson was unstoppable, leading from start to finish despite fierce battles behind him. Orr crossed the line second, with Garraway completing the podium in third — a thrilling showcase of consistency and speed.
TaG Restricted Light – Sponsored by RB Kart Engines
After a major incident at GPS Round 4, it was great to see RB Karts driver Ben Bloomfield back on the track. The category promised fierce competition, drawing drivers from across the country, including TD Racing’s Chelsea Jones from South Australia. By the end of qualifying, Gerry Westerveld had claimed pole, followed by Jackson Pinczuk in P2, Arthur Atran P3, Angus Kues-Sales P4, and Jamie Meadows rounding out the top five.
When the lights went out for Heat 1, Westerveld shot to the front with Pinczuk close behind, while the rest of the field battled for position. Westerveld secured first, Pinczuk second, and Kues-Sales third. Heat 2 saw Westerveld dominate again, with Ryan Dealy shaking things up in second and Riddell third. Heat 3 was more of the same, Westerveld comfortably leading home Kues-Sales and Riddell.
The final promised a shake-up, and it delivered. Westerveld initially grabbed the lead, but mid-race Kues-Sales muscled past to claim P1, holding on to take the win. Westerveld finished a close second, with Riddell rounding out a solid third.
TaG Restricted Medium – Sponsored by Skylift Hire & Rentals
Pulse Tuning driver Glenn Riddell narrowly claimed pole position by just 0.047 seconds over Hugo Kues-Sales, with Josh Godfrey third.
Heat 1 delivered an exciting battle for the spectators, as Riddell and Kues-Sales swapped positions several times before Riddell took the win, Kues-Sales second, and Ella Dealy third. Heat 2 saw Riddell grab the hole shot and lead every lap, with Kues-Sales and Dealy rounding out the podium. Heat 3 was slightly calmer, with Kues-Sales taking the victory ahead of Riddell and Dealy.
The final promised fireworks, and it didn’t disappoint. Riddell led out of corner one, while Kues-Sales, starting on the front row, fell back to fourth. With impressive pace, Kues-Sales worked his way through the field to claim first, Riddell finishing second, and Trent Meadows making a strong charge from sixth to secure third.
TaG 125 Heavy – Sponsored by Public House Albury
TMT Custom Designs DR Kart driver Troy Alger, a strong contender in this year’s Golden Power Series, came into the weekend as a favourite but didn’t have the results he hoped for. Qualifying set the tone for an exciting weekend, with Sebastian Perrone claiming pole by just 0.004 seconds over Lachlan Cini, and Tom McCulloch rounding out the top three — all separated by only 0.145 seconds.
Heat 1 saw McCulloch take the win ahead of Mick Powell, who impressively climbed from sixth on the first lap to finish second and set the fastest lap at 41.271, with Perrone third. Heat 2 flipped the script, with Perrone taking victory over McCulloch and Alger, giving Pro Karting a 1–2 finish. Heat 3 again went to Perrone, followed by Liam Ford and McCulloch, with McCulloch leading most of the race before dropping to third by the finish.
The final was dramatic, as Perrone led until a late DNF opened the door for McCulloch to take the win. Liam Ford finished second, and Alger made an impressive charge from seventh on lap one to take third, showing his determination and skill.
TaG Restricted Heavy – Sponsored by Albury Wodonga Garage Doors
TaG Restricted Heavy delivered thrilling racing from start to finish, with the showdown between Croc Kart Promotion’s Blair Van Ree and Top Kart’s Trent Meadows setting the stage. Qualifying saw Meadows claim pole by just 0.060 seconds over Van Ree, with Harrison Dengate third, the top three separated by only 0.329 seconds.
Heat 1 was a nail-biter, with Meadows narrowly holding off Van Ree by just 0.096 seconds, while Ryan rounded out the top three. Heat 2 shook up the order as Jett Rendell claimed the win ahead of Van Ree and Logan Burton, after Meadows was handed a penalty dropping him from first to tenth. Heat 3 returned to the classic Meadows vs. Van Ree battle, with Meadows driving from fourth to take the heat victory and the purple lap at 43.741 seconds, overtaking Van Ree on the last lap.
The final lived up to expectations. Van Ree led from start to finish, fending off Meadows, who closed from 0.555 seconds behind on lap three to just 0.104 by the final lap. Van Ree held on to take the win by 0.222 seconds, with Meadows second and Ryan third, rounding out a spectacular weekend of racing.
Driver of the Weekend
Round 5 at Albury Wodonga Kart Club delivered an exciting weekend, with great racing across categories from Cadet 9 to Tag Restricted Heavy.
While many drivers impressed, my Driver of the Weekend goes to Luca Portaro.
The highlight was Portaro’s strong qualifying performance moving up from Cadet 12 in 2025 straight into the Kart Class Superstar ranks and immediately showing he could compete at the front. The celebrations were well-deserved, and it was fantastic to see his progress and determination on track.
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