PAUL PITTAM PACES THE PACK IN MOUNT GAMBIER

Paul Pittam set the fastest qualifying time in both the Clubman Heavy and Clubman Super Heavy categories (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Adelaide driver Paul Pittam set the pace during qualifying at the 2012 South Australian Open Sprint Kart Championships in Mount Gambier today.

Pittam steered his new Omega Wasp chassis to the fastest time in both the Clubman Heavy and Clubman Super Heavy categories around the 760-metre Glenburnie Raceway.

In the Clubman Heavy category Pittam edged out Queenslander Brendan Nelson for the pole position while in the Super Heavy category it was Danny Errigo who will start on the outside of the front row for the heat races.

Pittam is also competing in the Leopard Heavy category where he qualified third fastest behind Michael Griffiths and reigning Australian Champion Nelson.

“The Omega Wasp is a new chassis, as a result we haven’t done a lot of testing with it but it really seems to be working well,” said Pittam.

“I’ve raced here a couple of times in the past but this is my first state championship at Mount Gambier. I really enjoy the layout, it’s a very challenging circuit and I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead.”

Thomas Randle set the pace in both the Clubman Light and Rotax Light category (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Another driver to secure pole position in two categories was Victorian Thomas Randle.

In his first state championship as a senior competitor, the current Junior Rotax and Junior Clubman National Champion blitzed the Clubman Light field to qualify two-tenths of a second clear of Justin Francis.

In the Rotax Light category, where Randle is competing aboard a Birel chassis in preparation for this month’s Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portugal, he qualified ahead of Matthew McLellan and Corey McCullagh.

In the younger categories it was Broc Feeney (Cadets) and Jordan Caruso (Rookies) who set the pace. Darwin’s Bryce Fullwood secured pole position in the Junior National Light category while Nicholas Rowe was fastest in Junior National Heavy.

The opening round of heats will be contested this afternoon before continuing tomorrow. The championship finals will be contested on Sunday.

For the full results from qualifying, please click here.

The Glenburnie Raceway is located on the Princes Highway at Glenburnie (just East of Mount Gambier) opposite the Speedway.

Broc Feeney was fastest in the Cadets category (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Jordan Caruso was fastest in the Rookies category (Pic: AF Images/Budd)