18th October 2011

Greenwood Blue Steel Strong at Final Round of Yamaha Challenge - Team Press Release

James Greenwood aboard his Pro Karting powered Monaco Kart. (Source: Ash Budd, AF Images)

Orrcon Steel supported, James Greenwood showed real steel determination again this past weekend in Newcastle; as he swept up the season final round win of the 2011 Yamaha Clubman Challenge, part of the Australian CIK Stars of Karting Series.

The 22yo electrician determinedly placed his Pro Karting powered Monaco Kart on the front row during Saturday’s qualifying session beside Sydney’s CRG driver, Brett Robinson.

Greenwood then set about to race Robinson for Heat wins in the Saturday program.  The first and third Heats fell Robinson’s way, with the pair putting on some determined and exciting racing at the front of the competitive 14 Kart field.  It was Greenwood however who was victorious in the second Heat with Robinson close on his heels.

On Sunday morning, Robinson ramped up the competition level and took command in the PreFinal race, leading Greenwood for all 16 laps.  The two established a decent break away buffer over the field and raced each other at the front.  Finding and fixing a broken seat after the PreFinal, Greenwood stepped it up a notch further and returned serve in the 20 lap Final, putting himself at the front of the pack in the opening corners, and asserting a 1.54 second lead over Robinson before the chequered flag fell.

Delighted with James’ result, Team Manager, Craig Doyle said,” James is really focused on his racing and it’s good to see him achieving these sorts of results.  Although he only just missed taking out the Queensland State Title recently, James is demonstrating how solid and fast he really is in these away events.  It’s terrific to see him win the Final Round of the Yamaha Challenge; especially given Sunday’s racing is to be televised on Speed TV Australia on November 3 as part of a one hour Karting Program produced by former Executive Producer of the V8 Supercar Championship, Murray Lomax, and the team at Castle Media.  James has been strong all season, but has had a few unlucky setbacks earlier in the year. It’s now come back together over the past few months and we’re pleased to see him do well at such a high profiled event.”

Greenwood’s younger team mates Brooke Topp (Yamaha Challenge Clubman) and Callum Walker (Pro Junior KF3) also backed up a strong weekend for the Team, both qualifying and finishing inside the Top 10 of their respective classes all weekend.  Walker’s results were an exceptional highlight, as it was his debut race meeting in the very competitive 17 Kart Pro Junior field.

The young Yatala based HDR Team next heads to Gladstone on 29th & 30th October 2011 to compete in the Final Round of the 2011 Super Cheap Auto Kart Series, where James sits atop the Clubman class Series Points Table.