EXCITING END TO 2015 AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Reece Sidebottom crossing the line for victory in the KF3 class (Pic: Coopers Photography)

The Australian Karting Championship, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE went over and above its fair share of excitement at today’s Grand Final event in Geelong – with four of the eight classes on offer not decided until the drop of the chequered flag in the finals.

The most dramatic of the weekend came in KF3 after Canberra racer, Zane Morse led the Title chase by nine points coming into the weekend. Not starting the second heat this morning and subsequent victory for closest rival, Reece Sidebottom put Tony Kart-mounted Morse on the back foot.

Sidebottom controlled the pace of the final to take a comfortable victory over local Dylan Hollis – his best KF3 Final finish and Queenslander Joshua Rogers. Needing to win and for Sidebottom to finish third or worse, Morse mustered fifth placing behind new Victorian Champion, Oscar Piastri.

In KZ2 yesterday’s switch in Championship lead from season-long leader, Jake Klarich to Jason Pringle continued today, with the CRG driving Pringle showing no nerves about the Championship position. He extended the lead to seven points after the third heat and then went on to put together a masterful drive leading home Dutch Ricciardo Kart pilot, Marijn Kremers and TB Kart’s Klarich.

In KF2 – Harrington Doyle Arrow driver Scott Sorenson was cruelly eliminated early in the final. A technical glitch saw the Queenslander unable to get away from the line and try as he might, he could not get the issue sorted, eventually pulling off to the side of the track.

Holden Kart Team driver Liam McLellan was victorious in KF2 (Pic: Coopers Photography)

His chief rival Liam McLellan – who was 16 points behind coming into the Championship chase – took off out in front and recorded an easy victory in his Holden Kart Team JC Kart. With Sorenson on the sidelines, it gave McLellan enough points to win his second Australian Championship by seven points. Dunlop V8 Supercars Series campaigner, Todd Hazelwood brought his Arrow home in second on his karting return with local driver, Zac Soutar third.

In an intense X30 Championship battle, Daniel Rochford was able to overturn Bradley Jenner’s hefty Championship lead. The weekend didn’t go right for Jenner from the very beginning and had to battle his way through from a deep starting position if he was any chance.

Clearing the pack, Jenner got to fourth whilst Rochford was embroiled in a battle with the FA Kart pair, James Sera (who was a single point behind Rochford coming into the weekend) and Morgan Feast. Ironically, a move on Sera for the lead by Feast opened the door for Rochford.

If Rochford won, Jenner had to finish better than fourth – fourth would give the Title to Rochford by one point. Try as he might, the young Victorian couldn’t work past Feast and in the end the Title crossed over to Rochford.

Jenner was in the middle of another tense battle later in the day. One point separated him and Formula K’s Adam Lindstrom in KA TaG. A great start by Jenner to take the lead at turn one and a spirited charge by Lindstrom saw the pair exit turn two first and second.

Lindstrom staged a hunt on the back of Jenner’s kart and closed to within four tenths of a second as the laps were winding down, however Jenner did enough to hold on and make amends for the earlier disappointment.

Jason Pringle celebrating his win in KZ2 (Pic: Coopers Photography)

In KA Junior, Jack Doohan, the son of five time MotoGP World Champion, Mick Doohan won his first Australian karting Championship, putting the exclamation point on his advantage with a final win over Tyler Everingham and debutante Matthew Benin.

Jay Hanson wasn’t letting his points lead get away from him, taking the round and Championship win over Cooper Webster and Blake Purdie after a wild push to the finish involving five karts.

James Sera continued to prove that he is one of the best in the business adding the first ever KA1 Championship to his extensive CV. Toby Pope and Justin Francis did everything in their power to knock the FA Kart driver off, however he had secured the Championship following the third heat this morning.

Pope would go on to win the final from Sera and Leigh Nicolaou.

Thus ends the first new-look Australian Kart Championship, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE – terrific racing, the emergence of some new names and increased excitement among competitors, clubs and sponsors has placed the sport on a new level in 2015.

The Champions will be crowned this evening at a Gala Function at Simonds Stadium – the home of the Geelong Cats.

2015 AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 5 – Geelong, Vic

RESULTS: Top 5

KA12
1. Jay Hanson
2. Cooper Webster
3. Blake Purdie

KA Junior
1. Jack Doohan
2. Tyler Everingham
3. Matthew Beninca

KF3
1. Reece Sidebottom
2. Dylan Hollis
3. Joshua Rogers

KA1
1. Toby Pope
2. James Sera
3. Leigh Nicolaou

KA TaG
1. Brad Jenner
2. Adam Lindstrom
3. Brooke Redden

X30
1. Daniel Rochford
2. James Sera
3. Morgan Feast

KF2
1. Liam McLellan
2. Todd Hazelwood
3. Zac Soutar

For the full results, please click here.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

KA12
1. Jay Hanson 212
2. Cooper Webster 162
3. Kai Allen 106
4. Blake Purdie 100
5. Emerson Harvey 88

KA Junior
1. Jack Doohan 216
2. Jordan Caruso 128
3. Angelo Mouzouris 113
4. Tyler Everingham 112
5. Cory Arnett 82

KF3
1. Reece Sidebottom 191
2. Zane Morse 169
3. Oscar Piastri 147
4. Thomas Hughes 140
5. Dylan Hollis 122

KA1
1. James Sera 217
2. Toby Pope 181
3. Justin Francis 176
4. Matthew McLean 136
5. Leigh Nicolaou 118

KA TaG
1. Bradley Jenner 185
2. Adam Lindstrom 179
3. Brendan Nelson 126
4. Troy Morrissey 113
5. Brooke Redden 74

X30
1. Daniel Rochford 177
2. Bradley Jenner 174
3. James Sera 167
4. Brendan Nelson 111
5. Ben Stewart 108

KF2
1. Liam McLellan 207
2. Scott Sorensen 200
3. Zac Soutar 135
4. Harrison Knight 108
5. Joshua Tynan 79

KZ2
1. Jason Pringle 172
2. Jake Klarich 161
3. Kyle Ensbey 130
4. Jaie Robson 125
5. Christopher Hays 122