DAVID SERA SETS THE PACE IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Times point to tight tussles in Pro Light

David Sera leading the pack during practice today. Pic: AF Images

While this weekend may only be his second start in Australia’s elite karting series, David Sera has signalled his intentions by posting the fastest time during practice for round two of the 2011 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE at the Bolivar Raceway in South Australia today.

Driving his Monster Energy-backed Arrow kart Sera blasted his way around the 755-metre Bolivar Raceway, just north of Adelaide, in a time of 34.020 to lead the way in Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category.

While pleased to have finished the day as the fastest driver, Sera believes there will be more speed to come during qualifying tomorrow.

“It’s a great way to start the weekend but I’m still getting used to the Gearbox kart again, I keep missing the right time to shift and making a few mistakes which means that I’m not as consistent as what I could be,” said Sera.

“Everything happens so quickly in these things (KZ2 specification kart) compared to other karts, you’re so busy – especially around a track like here at Bolivar.

“It’s going to be very tight out there over the weekend with 31 karts on the grid – to finish on the podium you really need to be on top of your game.”

Second fastest overall for the day was defending champion Matthew Wall ahead of surprise-packet Daniel Currey from Western Australia.

The fastest of the local drivers, of which there are six, was Scott Taylor in fourth place on the timesheets.

With six drivers setting times within two-tenths of a second, tomorrow’s qualifying session will be vitally important in the Pro Light (KF1) category.

Melbourne's Thomas Randle was fourth fastest in Pro Junior (KF3) today. Pic: AF Images

Melbourne’s Adam Hughes finished the day as the fastest driver in the Kosmic kart, his time of 34.566 second was a mere 0.003 second ahead of Sydney’s Matthew Waters in his Tesa-tape backed Exprit chassis.

Rising stars Pierce Lehane and Joseph Mawson are expected to resume their battle at the front of the Pro Junior (KF3) field. However, between the pair on the combined timesheets at the end of today were Perth’s Jake Klarich, Queenslander Brock Plumb and Melbourne’s Thomas Randle.

Tomorrow’s action will kick off with qualifying from 9am followed by three round of heat races. The finals will be held on Sunday from 9am.

The Bolivar Raceway is located on Summer Road, Bolivar. Admission for spectators is free.

2011 CIK Stars of Karting Series
Round 2 of 5 – Bolivar Raceway, South Australia

Combined Practice Times – Top 5
Pro Light (KF1)
1. Adam Hughes 34.566
2. Matthew Waters 34.569
3. Cian Fothergill 34.636
4. Daniel Rochford 34.667
5. Jake Spencer 34.702

Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. David Sera 34.020
2. Matthew Wall 34.264
3. Daniel Currey 34.395
4. Scott Taylor 34.402
5. Jason Pringle 34.424

Pro Junior (KF3)
1. Pierce Lehane 35.228
2. Jake Klarich 35.262
3. Brock Plumb 35.405
4. Thomas Randle 35.415
5. Joseph Mawson 35.419