16th July 2012

National Champions switch attention to Rotax Rankings at Warwick

DD2 competitor Kyle Ensbey in action (Pic: IKD)

The final round of the 2011/2012 Rotax Pro Tour will make its journey to Queensland, and a return to the Sandy Creek Raceway at Warwick, an event that is sure to be hotly contested with the prize of a position with Team Australia in Portugal hot on the line. With close battles throughout the categories, it is sure to come down to the wire.

Both Pierce Lehane and Thomas Randle were crowned with victories in their respective categories at the 50th hosting of the AKA Nationals in Darwin recently, and the adulation of the victory will now take a back step with the final round of the Pro Tour preparing to move up a gear next weekend, and for the two, it will be a crucial event to maintain their lead in their individual Rotax Rankings. Thomas Randle took the win under lights, and now has to change his mindset towards the huge Junior Max field, “It was an amazing experience to take victory in Darwin,” Randle stated, “it’s now a matter of putting my head down and focussing on defending my lead in the Rotax rankings against the intense competition.”

Since the event in the top end, it has been somewhat of a busy time for Lehane off track as he secured a new deal to become an official brand ambassador for Exprit Karts Australia. “I am excited about my move to Exprit. This will be a new challenge, but one that I am looking forward to” said Pierce, “It is a great opportunity to promote the Exprit brand around Australia, and one that I am extremely excited about.” IKD’s Donald Stevens is just as excited about the new arrangement, “Pierce is an exceptional young talent, and a driver that we are very happy to have on-board. His international experience shows through here in Australia, and we hope the new partnership can assist Pierce’s preparation for his future overseas commitments,” says Donald.

The two will not be the only drivers focusing on a trip to Europe in November; Lehane’s closest competitor in the rankings, Joseph Mawson will be looking to secure some of the form he showed at the last round in Griffith, while Victorians Daniel Rochford and Brad Jenner are sure to fight it out for the final placing. Randle will well and truly have the pressure applied with Joseph Burton-Harris following closely behind, and as with Mawson in Rotax Light, will be seeking the same form he presented in Griffith. Liam McLellan, Andrew Kahl and Jaxon Evans will all be looking for a strong finish to boost their own chances.

In what is the closest of all the Rotax rankings battles, DD2 Masters currently led by John Bailey will need to be on top of his own game in the Sunshine state with a slender lead over Cameron Harch, Hamish Leighton, Stephen Hampson and Brent Coghlan with a podium in sights for all of the drivers. Rotax Heavy’s Troy Woolston has all but secured a place in Portugal in the DD2 class, one that he is been conducting double duties in in past rounds, and which he will continue to do so this weekend. As for the two drivers in the DD2 class that will compete alongside Woolston, it is sure to be a decision that will come down to the Rotax Nationals in Dubbo in September. CRG Australia’s Jason Pringle currently leads ahead of Kyle Ensbey and Thomas MacDonald.

Round 6 of the Rotax Pro Tour will occur on July 20-22 at Sandy Creek Raceway in Warwick, QLD.

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