Whyalla Kart Championship, Round 6


by Jeremy Head 3 September 2013
 

Leightons Whyalla Sponsors Round 6 of Whyalla Kart Championship

The heat was not only in the sky on August 31st but also on the track as Whyalla Kart Club held round 6 of the 2013 championship.

As the club is starting to head towards the pointy end of the championship year you can through a hand towel over the top 3 or 4 drivers in most classes. This is showing in the quality of the close racing and risky overtaking being done by the drivers.

The combined 125/Clubman Heavy seen the return of  Dan Tasanen to Whyalla along with local Brian Sampson and regular Adelaide driver Stephen Oliver making up the numbers.  Dan lead most of the weekend showing what potential his new kart has.  Brian and Steve again put on a good show jostling for postion.  As usual this class although small does provide quick smooth racing for all spectators to see.

Brian Sampson and Neil Schmidt fighting for position
Above: Brian Sampson and Neil Schmidt fighting for position
pic - Darren Shaw

The combined 125/Clubman Light class was out at the same time as the Heavy guys.  This makes for interesting racing as each class is running their own race but also needs to be aware of traffic making its way through.  New driver Julian Blackwell showed what potential he has by mixing it up with the boys and girls at the front and finishing a strong 4th in his first outing.  Neil Schmit, Aiden Sossa and Chris Reid fought it out hard all day however Neil stormed away with strong finishes all weekend. Highlight of this class for the weekend was the determination of lap record holder Chris Reid.  A spin in the second heat could have cost him the day however by keeping his foot on the power and bouncing his kart he managed to get himself out of the gravel trap and keep racing.  This is a good lesson to all the kids in the club.  To finish first you first have to finish.  Although Chris didn’t finish first he still finished taking valuable points into the end of year championship.

The solo rookie driver Corey Datsun was out running at the back of the cadet class.  This young guy has some serious potential and in the second heat managed to power slide his kart back onto the track after running wide out of the top corner.  Anyone interested in their child coming into karting contact the club. 

Rookie Corey Datsun holds on as he runs wide
Above: Rookie Corey Datsun holds on as he runs wide
pic - Darren Shaw

The cadets again the largest class of the meeting. These kids show you how it is done and with the drivers being so close in ability that it is almost like a train going around the track.  The racing was close all weekend with young Aaron Oliver showing his dad how it is done and taking first place for the day with local Cooper Jones taking second place and regular Adelaide driver Tyler Craig coming a close third. 

The junior national girls put on a fun exhibition of driving. It is hard to push hard with only two of you on the track but again the girls did well to keep going.  Booleroo regular Bethany Simpson just managed to edge out local Issabella Cumerlato.

Sportsman SA is proving to be the growth class within Whyalla.  An average of 6-7 drivers compete in this class and it always puts on a show.  This round was no exception with one of the scariest accidents of the year occurring in the prefinal.  A thrown chain from one of the drivers sent constistant race leader Darrol Jones into the tyre barrier by the out grid.  Darrol hit the tyres so hard that 2 bundles were knocked to the ground. Fortunately both drivers walked away.  Karl Lawson also managed to pick up his first race win putting him in a good position for the end of the days placings.

Dennis Cumerlato doing some Stewarding
Above: Dennis Cumerlato doing some Stewarding
pic - Darren Shaw

Finally the club would like to thank Leightons for their ongoing support of the Whyalla Kart club along with all our other regular sponsors.

125/Clubman light combined
1st Neil Schmidt
2nd Aiden Sossa
3rd Chris Reid

125/Clubman Heavy combined
1st Dan Tasanen
2nd Brian Sampson
3rd Stephen Oliver

Rookies
1st Corey Datsun

Cadets
1st Aaron Oliver
2nd Cooper Jones
3rd Tyler Craig

Junior National
1st Bethany Simpson
2nd Issabella Cumerlato

Sportsman SA
1st Dennis Cumerlato
2nd Karl Lawson
3rd Darrol Jones

 

 

 

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