Wild Country Series Opener

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words – Andrew Hayes, AHR Media
pics – Brad McLaren, BPM Photography

The opening round of the 2026 DPE Kart Superstore Victorian Country Series has been held at the South West Kart Club in Cobden over the weekend.

scroll to bottom for photo gallery
full results are on MyLaps Speedhive
more images by BPM Photography – Friday setup HERE, Saturday HERE, Sunday HERE
more images by Ben’s Gallery – Saturday HERE, Sunday HERE

It was a special occasion for the host club as they celebrated 30 years of racing at the venue.

251 entries across 12 classes took to the challenging Cobden circuit, with competitors enduring rain on Saturday, followed by sunshine after a cold start on Sunday.

There was some brilliant performances across many classes and some average driving in others. Here is the AHR MEDIA rundown of proceedings.

KA3 SENIOR LIGHT (27 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Zach Findlay     50.651
Heat 1 Winner:               Zach Findlay
Heat 2 Winner:               Zach Findlay
Heat 3 Winner:               Zach Findlay

Zach Findlay picked up precisely where he left 2025, storming to a clean sweep of the preliminary events. Findlay would line up alongside Ethan Warren for the 12 lap final, and whilst put up the most resistance of the weekend, it would be Findlay claiming a narrow victory and clean sweep. Warren was an impressive addition to the field, finishing second ahead of Ryder Dahler, who continues to improve, in third. Liam Fitzgibbon and Ewan Anderson were fourth and fifth respectively.

1^st Zach Findlay (GKCV)
2^nd Ethan Warren (ELKC)
3^rd Ryder Dahler (GKCV)

CADET 9 (14 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Arthur Partington 56.507
Heat 1 Winner:               Jett Gobourne
Heat 2 Winner:               James Henman
Heat 3 Winner:               James Henman

The heat winners, James Henman and Jett Gobourne squared off on the front row of the final in Cadet 9. Henman and Gobourne were joined by Jordan Butters early in the journey, as the trio fought it out. Henman led the commencement of the final lap, but contact at turn two would see Butters gain the advantage on the run to the flag, claiming his first VCS win. Gobourne would also sneak past as a result of the skirmish, leaving a disappointed Henman in third. Fastest Qualifier Arthur Partington was fourth, ahead of Hayden Sharp in fifth.

1^st Jordan Butters (ELKC)
2^nd Jett Gobourne (ELKC)
3^rd James Henman (ELKC)

TAG RESTRICTED LIGHT (29 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Shane Moreland 51.232
Heat 1 Winner:               Shane Moreland
Heat 2 Winner:               Shane Moreland
Heat 3 Winner:               Shane Moreland

Shane Moreland was untouchable during the heats, and it proved to be the case once again in the final, edging away to record another win, this one coming by 4.5 seconds. Josh White capitalised on some lap one action to settle into second, proving he had pace to hold onto that position to the end of the race. Brocklan Parker was a handy addition to the field, coming from seventh in the final to claim third place. Madi Bickerton and Ben Kilsby were both in the mix and finished fourth and fifth.

TaG R Light winner Shane Moreland #46 leads the field

1^st Shane Moreland (MGKC)
2^nd Josh White (GKCV)
3^rd Brocklan Parker (PORT)

TAG LIGHT (26 Entries)

Top Qualifier:                    Jaxon Johnstone 49.866
Heat 1 Winner:                 Zach Findlay
Heat 2 Winner:                 Zach Findlay
Heat 3 Winner:                 Dominic Mercuri

Despite a starting infringement in heat three, Zach Findlay was considered the driver to beat in the final as he lined up alongside SA young gun Dominic Mercuri. Findlay was in no mood for mucking around and quickly asserted himself, racing to a 2.8 second victory, his second win of the day. Max Marriner and Jacob Dowson quickly settled into second and third, and despite Dowson’s best efforts would finish in that order. Damiano Muscariello and Dallas Greene home in fourth and fifth.

It wasn’t all plain sailing in TaG Light – Bailin Jessop (11) and Bailey Kirk (76) get tangled

1^st Zach Findlay (GKCV)
2^nd Max Marriner (BALL)
3^rd Jacob Dowson (GKCSA)

VICTORIAN COMBINED MASTERS (12 Entries)

Top Qualifier:                    Mark Heemskerk 52.047
Heat 1 Winner:                 Ash Mitchell
Heat 2 Winner:                 Remo Luciani
Heat 3 Winner:                 Remo Luciani

On your Marks! Masters heat race start, Mark Heemskerk (23) and Mark Appleby (28) off the front row

Remo Luciani had hit his straps coming into the final, leading the field away alongside Mark Appleby. Some opening lap action granted Luciani a small buffer on the opening lap, and you can’t give any advantage to the Master from Horsham. Luciani steamed on, increasing his lead every lap to claim a comfortable 6.2 second victory. Mitchell was in new colours, and managed to hold off Appleby for second by seven hundredths of a second. Appleby settling for third after having strong pace all weekend. Top Qualifier Heemskerk was fourth ahead of Angelo D’Ettorre in fifth.

1^st Remo Luciani (WIMM)
2^nd Ash Mitchell (MILD)
3^rd Mark Appleby (ROCH)

KA3 JUNIOR LIGHT (35 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Archie Bristow 51.660
Heat 1 Winner:               Archie Bristow
Heat 2 Winner:               Archie Bristow
Heat 3 Winner:               Aiden Spector

Aiden Spector and Archie Bristow shared the front row of the final, as the near capacity field charged towards turn one. Spector got the best of the start and set the pace for the majority of the race, but just as he looked destined for victory rear contact from Bristow sent him down to third on the road. Bristow inherited the lead, but was penalised post race.

The Australasian Champ Michael White was speedy, and inherited a well earnt victory after the race. Spector was visibly disappointed as he crossed the line third, although that eventually became second. Cooper Johnstone was rewarded for his improved pace, landing in third place. Sammy Jansen Van Vuuren was credited with fourth, ahead of Bristow in fifth.

1^st Michael White (OAK)
2^nd Aiden Spector (OAK)
3^rd Cooper Johnstone (WBOOL)

TAG RESTRICTED MEDIUM (15 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Phil Hobbs 52.749
Heat 1 Winner:               Phil Hobbs
Heat 2 Winner:               Jamie Meadows
Heat 3 Winner:               Jamie Meadows

The scene was set for the final, with Jamie Meadows on pole, Hobbs alongside. Meadows made a great start and pulled a small buffer early on. Meadows looked comfortable and it was hard to see him being caught after his performances in the heats. However, Hobbs had other ideas, catching and passing or the lead. Hobbs pulled out a one second buffer, enough to claim his breakthrough VCS victory! Jamie Meadows was a hard earnt second after some very polished driving, with brother Trent snagging the final spot on the podium in third. Ty Hall and Robbie Turmine both raced at the front, but ended up fourth and fifth.

1^st Phil Hobbs (WIMM)
2^nd Jamie Meadows (ELKC)
3^rd Trent Meadows (ELKC)

KA3 JUNIOR HEAVY (21 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Jake Ristell 51.736
Heat 1 Winner:               Jai George
Heat 2 Winner:               Jai George
Heat 3 Winner:               Jai George

The reigning KA3 Junior Light Champion Jai George started the final from pole position in Junior Heavy, joined on the front row by Oscar Corless. George was away smartly, with Ethan Majdis closely in tow. Despite intense pressure from Majdis, it was George taking a narrow victory to kick of his quest for another VCS championship. Majdis was much improved, and thoroughly deserved a fine second place, finishing ahead of Corless, who was also pacey on his way to third. Oliver Stania finished fourth, ahead of Fastest Qualifier Jake Ristell in fifth, who spent the weekend rebounding from lower in the order.

1^st Jai George (GKCV)
2^nd Ethan Majdis (OAK)
3^rd Oscar Corless (ELKC)

CADET 12 (36 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Hayden Calisici 51.085
Heat 1 Winner:               Beau Chambers
Heat 2 Winner:               Beau Chambers
Heat 3 Winner:               Raf Busuttil

Chambers and Oscar Calisici paced the capacity field as the rolled towards the start of the final. But once they got racing, Busuttil came through like a force of nature! After passing 29 karts in the second heat due to losing his chain guard in the opening heat, there was no stopping Busuttil as he stormed to an incredible 9.1 second victory! A huge battle developed for the remaining podium spots as Chambers, Jarvis Hindle and Ben Henman went at it. Henman headed that battle as the last lap started, but things got ugly on the last lap, eventually the three drag racing to the line. Hindle prevailed to finish second despite being crashed into as he crossed the line by Chambers, who secured third. Henman was an extremely close fourth, with Oscar Calisici taking fifth.

1^st Raf Busuttil (ELKC)
2^nd Jarvis Hindle (ELKC)
3^rd Beau Chambers (PORT)

TAG HEAVY (17 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Grace Dunmore
Heat 1 Winner:               Ben Mouritz
Heat 2 Winner:               Ben Mouritz
Heat 3 Winner:               Ben Mouritz

The final of Tag Heavy finally delivered the front row match up of Ben Mouritz and Scott King that promised so much as always. Moritz had been on fire through the heats, and brought some serious form into the final. Despite Scott King giving chase and keeping the pressure on, it was another Cobden win for Mouritz. Scott King was challenged across the weekend and ultimately second was his result. Adam King showed good pace in the heats, and finished it off with third in the final. Max Lumsden and Lachlan Sharpe completed the top five.

1^st Ben Mouritz (BALL)
2^nd Scott King (PORT)
3^rd Adam King (PORT)

KA3 SENIOR MEDIUM (6 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Ryan Dealy 45.679
Heat 1 Winner:               Ryan Dealy
Heat 2 Winner:               Todd Chambers
Heat 3 Winner:               Seth Burton

Chambers and Burton shared the front row after three different heat winners in KA3 Senior Medium. Chambers would take a narrow flag to lights win, despite several challenges from his rivals. Dealy jumped up to second, holding that position to the line. Burton set the fastest lap of the race to claim third. Brocklan Parker and Sam Purnell were fourth and fifth.

Ryan Dealy, 1st in quallie, 2nd in the Final

1^st Todd Chambers (PORT)
2^nd Ryan Dealy (GVKC)
3^rd Seth Burton (WBOOL)

TAG RESTRICTED HEAVY (6 Entries)

Fastest Qualifier:            Trent Meadows 46.365
Heat 1 Winner:               Trent Meadows
Heat 2 Winner:               Trent Meadows
Heat 3 Winner:               Trent Meadows

Trent Meadows was in scintillating form at Cobden, and he carried that form right through into the final, where he took another comfortable victory! Brodie Worner got closer to Meadows in the final, but had to settle for a clear second place. P plater Michael Ratkowski drove superbly to defeat more experienced drivers for third place. Brendan Tucker was the final finisher in fourth.