Australian Sprintkart Endurance Titles


  29 November 2014
 

The word “endurance” featured heavily in the running of this years event at Raleigh on November 22/23 with very hot conditions facing drivers and teams. 35 drivers were put to the extreme test of stamina and concentration dealing with the heat and the varying pace and tactics that was needed to achieve a result.

There was plenty of warning for teams that the weather would play a factor in the event so plans were made to accommodate this. But like many plans many things can force a change and teams that relied on safety kart making a regular appearances were forced to alter when the safety kart did NOT appear, meaning long stints without relief. However being the true professionals they gritted their teeth and soldiered on.


Above: Starting lineup

The defending champions Baily/Hanley team got off to the best start on the weekend getting a pole position start, with rival Dan Ferry [72] alongside. But when the green flag dropped it was Shane Burns who shocked all with a blitzing start from row 2 jumping out to a good lead by the first turn and held the lead for sometime. Hanley began to close the gap down and began to do battle with Burns but suffered a snapped axle putting their title defence out of commission.

After the first round of stops the podium positions changed with the 72 Team 43 team and 24 team featuring in the call. The heavy division developed into a battle with Mitchell [7] and Guthrie/Torville [83] Farnant [66] teams swapping positions all day. The pace was clearly reduced from previous events with the safety kart not showing up and the very hot conditions it was clear the tactics were to survive, with hour stints behind the wheel it was clear it would become a tactical race of endurance rather that full throttle sprinting.

Many teams suffered challenges throughout the event with gear failure testing pit crews and drivers along the way. Heavy contenders 66 suffering a snapped axle but repaired and continued the race, muffler parting company effected fellow heavy div competitor 7 who also repaired and continued. Thrown chains also frustrated a few other teams along the way.

With the laps winding down 72 had cleared out to a commanding lead and was settling into a pace that he could manage. 43 and 24 were close together at the end with 43 unlapping himself from 24 putting them on the same lap with 20 to go, a slim chance but still a chance but laps ran out and 24 who it was discovered post race had a mechanical issue [ a spark plug that fell apart on removal]  that caused him to nurse his ailing machine home.

At the chequered flag it was 72 with a multiple lap win over the ailing 24 who managed to hold out the 43. Heavy division went to the 83 team who looked to have a flawless run, with the 7 kart coming home in second and after a replacing an axle the 66 kart was rewarded with 3rd. Worthy of mention was Andrew Torville co driver of the winning heavy team drove in the event with a broken toe.

All teams were very pleased to see the chequered flag after what has to go down on record as being one of the hottest and toughest on record.

Hopefully 2015 will not be so bad but all teams went away planning their next assault on this truly testing event.

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