KARTERS BRAVE THE WEATHER IN COFFS HARBOUR

Competitors in the wet conditions across the weekend. Pic: Cooper's Photography

Kart racers from various parts of the country braved the elements in the 17th Annual Coffs Harbour Over 40s Titles in Northern New South Wales at the weekend.

With just shy of 200 entries received for the event the action came thick and fast across the variety of categories being contested.

Victorian Phillip Smith was the dominant driver in the 125 Sportsman Heavy category to remain undefeated across the weekend.

Smith led home Ipswich (Qld) driver Clinton Williams in the rain-soaked final while Dean Watchorn and local driver David Fogarty failed to finish after showing some impressive speed during the heat races.

Wayne Ellis appeared on track to claim the victory in the Senior National Light category, holding a 50-metre lead in the final. However, when he slid off the circuit it handed Anthony Borg the victory.

Ellis made amends in the Clubman Light final to claim the win ahead of Mark Appleby.

Coffs Harbour Kart Club’s John Martin believes the event was another enormous success with the wet weather failing to put a dampener on the spirits of the competitors.

“Overall, the event was another huge success with competitors all going home with some great stories from the event,” said Martin.

“Unfortunately, the rain started to fall on Saturday – and didn’t stop for the remainder of the weekend – which made life interesting but it certainly didn’t dampen everyone’s enthusiasm at the event. It is in these wet conditions where we see the real talent of the drivers shine.”

Other victories over the weekend went to Nigel Ward (Clubman Heavy 52 and Over), John Schena (Senior National Super Heavy), Gordon Wells (Open Performance – DD2), Martin Brien (TaG Restricted Heavy and Super Heavy), Brett Llewellyn (Sportsman 125 Light), Ian Sadler (Senior National Heavy), Doug Mapperson (TaG Restricted Light), Rod Capuano (Clubman Super Heavy), Dennis Tyrrell (Rotax Super Heavy), Phillip Smith (Clubman Heavy 40-51) and Steve Lowerson (Rotax Heavy).