BREAKTHROUGH WIN FOR MOORE IN HOME TITLES

Michael Moore on his way to victory in the Clubman Light category. Pic: EPIC Moments

Driver’s (Darwin, NT) Michael Moore has upstaged a stellar field of drivers to be crowned state champion in the Northern Territory State Championships at the Hidden Valley Kart Track on the weekend.

Moore, who started his career ten years ago at the age of seven, was lost for words following his victory in the highly-competitive Clubman Light category.

“It’s an amazing feeling, I’m over the moon,” said Moore, who drove an Australian-made Omega kart on his way to victory.

“After qualifying fastest I was able to be right up there in the heat races and then managed to get a jump in both the pre-final and final while the guys behind me battled amongst each other.

“It’s my first win at a state championship against some of the best drivers from all across the country. With the nationals being held here in Darwin next year it is a huge confidence boost.

“There is no doubt this is the biggest win of my career and big thanks must go to Kym Pearce of Omega Karts for all of his help across the weekend.”

Finishing second behind the local driver was Sydneysider Jacob Parsons with Western Australian driver Nathan Davis third. Fast femme Magdeline Breed was fourth ahead of former champion Matthew Panella, who charged his way from the back of the field after failing to finish the pre-final.

Royce Nott added another championship to his resume on the weekend. Pic: EPIC Moments

Moore was joined in the winner’s circle by fellow Territorian Royce Nott. The Fujitsu Cool Development driver added the Leopard Light championship to his resume when he crossed the line ahead of Adam Garnaut.

The battle for the lead during the early running of the Clubman Heavy championship final was an intense one with the likes of five-time Australian Champion Kip Foster, Simon Hodge, Adam Levi, Daniel Nolan and Daniel Baker exchanging positions.

The top five were swapping positions on almost every corner, lap after lap, before a scuffle for second place allowed Foster to open a race-winning lead. The West Australian crossed the line well clear of Baker and Hodge, who filled the second and third steps on the podium.

In the Junior National Light category it was South Australian Luke Marquis who claimed his second state championship in as many weeks – the 15 year-old won the Queensland Championship in Warwick the week prior.

Marquis was challenged early in the final by Victorian Thomas Randle, Jake Klein and Damon Strongman before showing superior speed to claim the victory.

Current Australian Champion Anton de Pasquale proved superior in the Junior National Heavy category to claim the win over South Australian Todd Hazelwood.

Joseph Burton-Harris won his first State Championship in Junior Max. Pic: EPIC Moments

Hazelwood reversed the order when the pair went head to head in the Junior Clubman category to claim the prestigious ‘blue plate’ awarded to the winner.

In the fastest Junior category contested at the weekend, Junior Max, it was New South Wales teenager Joseph Burton-Harris who showed the field a clean pair of heels all throughout the weekend.

Burton-Harris took the win by a significant distance in the championship final ahead of James Allen and Jesse Elliott.

After a good fight with Jake Meyer, it was Western Australian Lee Foster who was victorious by the narrowest of margins in the Clubman Super Heavy category.

In the battle of the youngsters, it was Sam Dicker and Nikola Mitic who was victorious in the Midgets and Rookies categories respectively.

Many of the competitors from the weekend’s event will be returning to the Hidden Valley venue to contest next year’s National Championships to be held in Darwin on July 6-8, 2012.

2011 NORTHERN TERRITORY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Hidden Valley Kart Track – Darwin, NT

Midgets
1. Sam Dicker (WA)
2. Brock Kenny (WA)
3. Cooper Murray (Vic)

Rookies
1. Nikola Mitic (WA)
2. Joshua Wood (WA)
3. Thomas Schou (WA)

Junior National Light
1. Luke Marquis (SA)
2. Jake Klein (Vic)
3. Thomas Randle (Vic)

Junior National Heavy
1. Anton de Pasquale (Vic)
2. Todd Hazelwood (SA)
3. James Allen (WA)

Junior Clubman
1. Todd Hazelwood (SA)
2. Anton de Pasquale (Vic)
3. Luke Marquis (SA)

Junior Max
1. Joseph Burton-Harris (NSW)
2. James Allen (WA)
3. Jesse Elliott (WA)

Clubman Light
1. Michael Moore (NT)
2. Jacob Parsons (NSW)
3. Nathan Davis (WA)

Clubman Heavy
1. Kip Foster (WA)
2. Daniel Baker (NSW)
3. Simon Hodge (SA)

Clubman Super Heavy
1. Lee Foster (WA)
2. Jake Meyer (NT)
3. Ashley Pittard (WA)

Leopard Light
1. Royce Nott (NT)
2. Adam Garnaut (WA)
3. Denny Nott (NT)