CLOSE RACING: Daniel Richert leads the race on his way to winning the DD2 Masters final under lights at the Ipswich Kart Club track. (Pic: Bill Bryant/Fletcher Photography)
THE final day of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour at Willowbank completed one of the best events hosted on the Pro Tour calendar since its inception.
Wins were shared in the two remaining heat races in DD2 Masters, with Geelong round winner Adam Hunter victorious in heat two.
Tony Bregonje worked his way forward to second to make it a Tony Kart one-two finish with pole sitter Steven Ellery finishing third from Jose Ruiz and Scott Connole.
As the battle continued into the final heat race, Victorian Daniel Richert was able to transfer his strong form from previous rounds into a heat race victory at the Ipswich Kart Club track.
Hamish Leighton gained a further four positions from his sixth place start on the grid to finish second behind Richert.
Ellery held on for another third place finish from Adam Hunter and Tony Bregonje.
Richert’s strong form transferred into the pre-final as he secured another race win, and the fastest lap of the race with a 49.449.
Richert held on for a comfortable win ahead of Hunter, Ellery, Leighton and Ruiz to set up an enthralling final under lights.
Richert continued his performances into the final, with the longer 20-lap race seeing the Victorian take an early lead.
A determined Hunter fought his way back toward the lead established by Richert, taking it to the line, finishing second to Richert by just 0.074seconds.
Hamish Leighton worked his way to third mid-race and then set in to take a comfortable podium finish from Steve Ellery and Shane Karandrews.
“The racing was really close all weekend,” Richert said.
“There was never a dull moment and the competition was at its regular high. Everything came together really well as a whole in the final.”
