From the Gladstone Observer (http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2012/04/10/pedal-to-the-metal-gladstone/)
Jason Faint leading Matt Greenbury and Daniel Stein in the final of Leopard Heavy (Pic: Real Deal Media)
GLADSTONE restaurateur Jason Faint has confirmed that it’s not just in the Rocksalt kitchen where he can whip up a storm.
Faint, 28, proved too good for his opposition in the KTEQ Rentals Queensland Karting Championships hosted by the Gladstone Kart Club at the weekend.
Competing in the 125cc Leopard Light and Leopard Heavy categories, Faint was victorious in the Heavy category ahead of former national champion Matt Greenbury and defending state champion Daniel Stein.
The win is Faint’s third at a state championship level. However, his most recent victory before the weekend was in 1999, when he was a junior competitor. Faint had a break from the sport for 10 years after racing as a junior.
“It’s a great feeling to have won a state championship at my home track. I remember winning two state titles as a junior but none of those were in front of my family and friends,” he said.
“The race seemed to go so quickly. At one stage I looked up and there were 15 laps to go, the next time I looked up there was only two.
“A huge thank you must go to Gerard Battye from Two4 Tuning, Adam Graham from Energy Corse Australia and my mechanic Greg Smith. Without the help of these guys none of this would be possible.”
Unfortunately for Faint, his run in the Leopard Light category ended early with a mechanical issue. Dual CIK Stars of Karting Series champion Pierce Lehane won the final, ahead of local driver Cian Fothergill.
Another local to take a popular victory was Denis Butler in the Clubman Over-40 category. Butler enjoyed a titanic battle with Shane Leahy throughout the 23-lap race before taking the win.
Gold Coaster Chris Hays continued the winning streak for the newly formed Energy Corse Australia team when he secured the win in the 125cc Rotax Light category. It is the seventh time he has won at a state championship and his first since winning the Clubman Light title in Victoria on debut in the senior ranks at the start of 2010.
Boyne Island youngster Josh Rogers finished a gallant second in the Rookies category, losing narrowly to Victorian Cooper Murray.
Bundaberg’s Clinton Marcon was one of the pace-setters all weekend in the Clubman Heavy category and he transferred his speed into a championship victory in the 23-lap final.
Despite some heavy pressure from the likes of Brendan Nelson, James Greenwood and Kip Foster, it was Marcon who held on for the win.
