GREENBURY GRABS THE GOLD IN GYMPIE

Tyler Greenbury on his way to victory in the Rotax Light category. Pic: Bill Bryant

Toowoomba’s Tyler Greenbury used all of the experience that has carried him to three national championships on route to victory in the Rotax Pro Tour event at the Gympie Gold Raceway in Queensland on the weekend.

Competing in the highly-competitive Rotax Light category, Greenbury led home Vodafone-backed Energy kart driver Chris Hays (Gold Coast, QLD) and Kosmic Kart driver Daniel Rochford (Melbourne, Vic) in the final – however, the race wasn’t as straight forward as that.

The leading trio were joined at the front by young guns Joseph Mawson (Sydney, NSW), Pierce Lehane (Sydney, NSW) and Bradley Jenner (Melbourne, Vic) for the opening half of the final. The leaders swapped places on numerous occasions before Greenbury emerged from the skirmishes with a slender buffer over the field.

After dropping several positions during the early race battles, Hays showed good speed to fight his way back to second but Greenbury had already opening a race-winning lead.

“It was a good weekend, I qualified on pole before struggling a little in the heats but we turned it around when it mattered most in the final,” said Greenbury.

“The final was a really good race, everyone had a shot at the lead I think and there was also a bit of carnage. In the end I was able to get clear and drive away with the win.”

Hays, who matched the lap times of Greenbury over the final ten laps, pulled clear of Rochford for second while Mawson secured fourth place ahead of James Macken (Gold Coast, QLD) in his RK Kart.

National Champion Troy Woolston proved too good in Rotax Heavy Pic: Bill Bryant

National Champion Troy Woolston (Melbourne, Vic) was the dominant force in the Rotax Heavy category. While shadowed by Travis Kodric (Shepparton, Vic) in the final, Woolston was never under serious pressure for the win. Daniel Richert (Geelong, Vic) was the big mover of the field to charger from 10^th at the start to finish third and make it an all-Victorian podium.

Sydney Exprit driver Joseph Burton-Harris set the pace all throughout the weekend in the Junior Rotax category, however, Thomas Randle (Melbourne, Vic) proved too good when it matter most.

Randle won the final ahead of Burton-Harris with Tony Kart driver Andrew Kahl (Syndey, NSW) finishing third.

Jason Pringle held off Lucas Ward for the win in DD2. Pic: Bill Bryant

CRG driver Jason Pringle (Melbourne, Vic), who finished runner-up in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in the UAE last year, led every lap of the DD2 final to take the win over Gold Coaster Lucas Ward. The Pacific Kartsport driver pressured Pringle early in the race but in the end he was forced to settle for second place. Local driver Kyle Ensbey (Glenview, QLD) finished third ahead of Troy Woolston (Melbourne, Vic).

“The CRG kart was handling really well and the Pro Karting tuned engine was superb all weekend,” said Pringle.

“Most of the weekend I struggled for pace early in the races, which showed in the heats and also allowed Lucas to pressure me during the opening half of the final but I was able hold him off and take the win.”

Custom Decals driver Cameron Harch broke through to claim his maiden win in the Rotax Pro Tour with victory in the DD2 Masters category. John Bailey (Central Coast, NSW) pressured Harch during the race before finishing second ahead of Tony Prendergast (Canberra, ACT).

“This is the biggest buzz that I’ve ever had. I’ve won a club day before but nothing ever at this level – it’s a great feeling,” said Harch.

David Rotstein (Gold Coast, QLD) crossed line first in the Over 40s category, however, he was later excluded due to a technical infringement handing the win to Steve Johnson (Melbourne, Vic).

The next Rotax Pro Tour event will be held in conjunction with the Jason Richards Memorial at the Albury Wodonga Kart Club on April 28/29.

To view the full entry results please click here.