Kody Garland Takes The Dave Hamnett Memorial
| supplied | 10 December 2015 |
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Manning Valley Kart Club's ‘Dave Hamnett Memorial’ meeting attracted 107 karters last weekend. The club arranged the program so that the finals started at 7.30 pm with Junior drivers’ wishes coming true and their finals held under lights. Thanks to support from officials who managed this strategy successfully.
Junior national light was the biggest class, attracting 21 drivers fighting it out for the class win and the memorial trophy. Local member Kody Garland took the trophy in a hard battle with Tomas Davies who was second with local member Oscar Preist third. State title-holder Cody Brewczynski was fourth.
Junior Heavy was won by Jackson Burton with Jack Stocker picking up his first karting podium in second place despite still being on his ‘P’s.
Junior MAX was another close contest with Garland second behind Cody Brewczynski. Tane Schofield was third.
Yamaha TaG 100 was an all-Manning field with Mal Inman taking line honours from Bradley Drury and Darren Chick.
TaG 125 Light and Heavy, with a combined field of 13, saw good racing with Todd Stocks second as brake issues took their toll on his lap times. In a close finish, Sam Van Leeuwestyn just held him out for the win. Terry Hanley was third. Greg Moores tried to claim a trophy after qualifying with P3 at a not-so-light weight and was last seen buried in smoking sausages at presentations - way past his bed-time.
TaG 125 Heavy was another tense battle with local member Aaron Wasley second after Zac Van Leeuwesstyn with Haden Jackson third at lap times that saw them mixing with the light class.
Young local Joshua Kerin won the Cadets which is the learning class for drivers aged from seven years of age.
Liam Ferry dominated Open Performance with an even mix of KZ2 and DD2 karts. Mick Lawrence similarly dominated the combined Clubman field.
TAG Restricted drivers enjoyed the short but flowing and undulating Manning Valley circuit, located in the Wingham Sporting Complex. Matt Kenneth won Restricted Light. The big fellas in Superheavy getting a run with TAG Restricted Heavy with Dave Robison winning super-size and Bailey Beresford winning Heavy.
Next year there will be more action with the Manning Valley hosting the third round of the state titles with expectations of more than 200 entrants.
The club is looking forward to more people visiting to try out the unique Wingham circuit ahead of the State championship round in September 2016. There are good accommodation options in Wingham, with camping at the track and showground, a pub and a motel in town and luxury accommodation at the Wingham Golf Course. Nearby Taree also has a good range of options.
The MVKC thanks all who participated in the Hamnett with extra thanks for those members and visitors who turned out on Sunday morning and lent their equipment and assistance to newcomers at the Come-and-Try day.
