17th February 2014

Locals fare well in karting series' opener - From the Warnambool Standard

Victorian Country Kart Series at Cobden (Pic: Warrnambool Standard)

LOCAL karters fared well in the opening round of the Victorian country series at Cobden on the weekend.

Racing was held across 15 classes at the Grayland Street track and South West Kart Club acting president Mark Rice said the weekend went off without a hitch.

“Warrnambool’s Corey McCullagh won the tag 125 heavy and Jay Coul was third in the rookie class,” Rice said.

“Billy Askew, who is also from Warrnambool won the Tag restricted super heavy class, so it was a good weekend for the locals.”

Reigning senior Victorian Karter of the Year Kyle Rethus was victorious in two classes, winning the clubman light and the tag 125 light divisions.

Rice said the club received 182 entries for the weekend.

“That’s a great number, probably one of the highest entries we’ve ever had here,” he said.

“It was good to see so many locals and plenty of new karters as well.

“It’s been a very busy weekend and all our volunteers have done a great job making sure everything went off without a hitch.”

The next round of the Victorian country series will be held in Warrnambool on April 13.

Meanwhile, rain denied Simpson driver John Vogels a shot at victory in the Sprintcar Racing Association (SRA) of Victoria series round at Hamilton on Saturday night.

Vogels, a five-time series winner, was due to start the A main off pole position after a win and a fourth in his two heats.

But the downpour washed out the meeting before the race could start, frustrating drivers and spectators alike.

Dubbo series leader Jeremy Cross was out of position two and Portland’s Adam King and Melbourne’s Brett Milburn were off the second row.

Cross retained the series lead with 2431 points, ahead of Milburn (2237) and Hobart young gun Shaun Dobson (2124), driving for Warrnambool car owner Harry Droste.

Rain also brought a premature end to the meeting at Simpson Speedway.

Only the junior sedans B grade feature went ahead before the abandonment.

Officials will reschedule the Trevor Podger Memorial for super rods to later this season but have abandoned wingless sprints’ front-row challenge.

Terang driver Luke Cole won $300 of injector and $250 prizemoney for being the high pointscorer after heats of the front-row challenge.

The meeting was on track to finish well before the rain, but a crash involving Warrnambool super rod driver Wayne Williams forced a one-hour delay.