MATTHEW WALL SETS HIS SIGHTS ON TITLE NUMBER 12

Qualifying is complete at the Rotax Nationals in Dubbo

Matthew Wall was the fastest qualifier in Rotax Heavy (Pic: AF Images)

Victorian Matthew Wall has set his sights on his 12th national title after setting the pace aboard his Arrow Kart at the Australian Rotax Nationals in Dubbo, New South Wales today.

The Shamick Racing driver set the pace in the Rotax Heavy category with a 48.831 second circulation to qualify on pole position ahead of fellow Victorian Paul Rodgers (49.024) and Queenslander Matthew Greenbury (49.025).

“I surprised myself with the time, I knew my kart was handling well but yesterday I just couldn’t get the engine to run cleanly on the straight,” said Wall.

“I was definitely struggling yesterday, and as I’m not as experienced with the Rotax engine over the past few years it took a bit of time, and some assistance from others, to get it right.

“What’s important though is that I got it right when it mattered most but it’s going to be tough to keep that sort of speed up in the racing, we’ll see how we go.

“It’s going to be a very tight battle up there front there with the likes of Matt Greenbury, Lee Mitchener, Paul Rodgers and Troy Woolston along with many other top level drivers.”

In the Rotax Light ranks, it was Exprit driver Pierce Lehane (47.916) who fired the first shot to set the fastest time ahead of six-time and reigning national champion David Sera (48.168). RJ Garage Doors driver Daniel Rochford (48.183) was third fastest ahead of Mitchell Gee (48.209), who recently moved into the senior ranks, and New Zealander Daniel Kinsman (48.243).

New South Wales teenager Joseph Burton-Harris qualified fastest in the Junior Rotax category (Pic: AF Images)

One of the pre-race favourites in Junior Rotax category, Joseph Burton-Harris set the pace during qualifying with Victorian Thomas Randle, who was victorious in the most recent Rotax Pro Tour event, second fastest. Tony Kart driver Andrew Kahl was third.

In the DD2 ranks it was a Queensland one-two with Lucas Ward setting the pace ahead of Pacific Kartsport driver Troy Bretherton. Daniel Richert proved superior in the DD2 Masters qualifying while Peter Virgulti set the pace in the Rotax Over 40s.

Three heat races will be contested this afternoon with the pre-finals and finals to be held tomorrow.

2012 ROTAX NATIONALS
Dubbo, NSW

RESULTS: Qualifying (Top 5 Combined)

Rotax Light
1. Pierce Lehane 47.916
2. David Sera 48.168
3. Daniel Rochford 48.183
4. Mitchell Gee 48.209
5. Daniel Kinsman 48.243

Rotax Heavy
1. Matthew Wall 48.831
2. Paul Rodgers 48.024
3. Matthew Greenbury 48.025
4. Adam Hunter 48.065
5. Aaron Rintoul 48.160

Junior Rotax
1. Joseph Burton-Harris 48.589
2. Thomas Randle 48.601
3. Andrew Kahl 48.602
4. Jaxon Evans 48.683
5. Jordan Boys 48.708

DD2
1. Lucas Ward 47.478
2. Troy Bretherton 47.479
3. Jason Pringle 47.499
4. David Whitmore 47.567
5. Jack Lindgren 47.602

DD2 Masters
1. Daniel Richert 48.128
2. Niki Urwin 48.193
3. Hamish Leighton 48.328
4. Luke Wall 48.405
5. Lee Adams 48.530

Rotax Over 40s
1. Bruce Otter 49.859
2. Peter Virgulti 49.971
3. Malcom Walker 50.220
4. Lucas Burt 50.347
5. Julian Watts 50.556

To view the full results please click here.