Team Torismo does it again at Over 40s

You know the over 40’s is getting serious when the pit area is half full on the Tuesday before the race meeting. With the new section of the Coffs Harbour Kart Track being officially opened at the over 40’s titles everyone wanted to be ready. This year three Team Torismo karts powered by the Gen III CHEETAH engines entered the Coffs Harbour Kart Club over 40’s titles, with Martin Brien in TAG Restricted Light and Heavies, and local karting identity Scott Hargans celebrating 30 years in karting with his first Over 40’s meeting entering in Tag Open Heavy.

Scott Hargans – TAG OPEN HEAVY – Leading Heat 3 (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Scott Hargans was the youngest of the old timers being just 40 years 3 weeks, and most would remember Scott as the grid marshal from many previous events. The Hargans Family have a long association with the Coffs Harbour Kart Club, in fact from its inception, with his father being a life member, and was honoured by having the new double right, square corner, being named “ Hargans Corner “.

Scott pulled pole, and was overtaken twice and recovered both times to win the first heat. In the 2^nd heat on a wet but drying track, Scott really showed off his local knowledge with a very convincing win by more than the entire length of the back straight. With some minor changes to the chassis in heat 3, Scott was not challenged again for the lead and clean swept the event.

Scott Hargans – TAG OPEN HEAVY – Taking the clean sweep win (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Martin Brien again this year won TAG /R Light, in a very close battle with local Michael Booth, and even in the prefinal which Michael won by 0.076 seconds, it was neck and neck the whole way. Michael got pole with Martin 2^nd. Martin won each heat; Michael won the prefinal, so it was ON for the final.

Martin Brien – TAG /R Light – Defending the #1 Plate from local pole sitter Michael Booth (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Michael was close enough to challenge for the top spot on the last lap of the final but Martin won out taking the win. Martin said.. “ Michael was like a shadow he was right there the whole time. He was right there this year and was right there last year.. very close and clean racing .. great fun “, Whilst Martin and Michael battle every heat , the rest of the placing swapped in some very close racing.

Martin Brien – TAG /R Light – Taking the win (Pic: Coopers Photography)

TAG /R Heavy wasn’t to be, with the win in 2011 and a DNF last year running a close 3^rd.. 2013 saw Martin qualifying, 2^nd and 2^nd in the heats and prefinal, His only chance was to jump the 4 times over 40’s Champion Phil Curran in the first few laps of the final, but a first lap crash further back in the field, saw two drivers re-joining (about to be lapped) just in front of Martin and Phil’s battle, these drivers didn’t realise it was the lead pack, and Phil got around and pulled a lead that martin could not bridge. Phil just proved just too fast again, even though Martin was able to set the new lap record for TAG / R Heavy with 46.512 in heat 1 against Phil Currans best of 46.624, the machine like precision of Phil Currans in his X30 Powered Energy Kart from Precision Motorsport won out in the end.

Martin Brien ( Right ) 1^st TAG/R Light and 2^nd TAG/R HEAVY and Scott Hargans 1^st TAG Heavy