(http://www.qt.com.au/news/qld-racer-holds-out-flying-dutchman-in-elite-serie/1767879/)
QUEENSLAND’S Australian Pro Gearbox champion Chris Hays staged a stunning performance to hold out 2011 World Cup champion Joey Hanssen in winning the opening round of the 2013 Castrol EDGE Stars of Karting.
The pair was locked nose to tail for much of the 25-lap affair at Willowbank.
Hanssen, a Dutchman, threw everything in his extensive international arsenal to get past Hays. However, the young driver was too good.
“The pressure this weekend in having Joey in the field just stepped everything up a notch,” Hays admitted. “The racing was tough from the very first practice session. We had to be on the limit to hold Joey out.”
Hanssen paid tribute to the young Aussie.
“It was difficult out there, the weather was hot and I had to work hard just to stay with Chris, let alone try and get around him,” he said.
“I have to take my hat off to him, he didn’t put a wheel wrong at all.
“The Ipswich track is very tough – among one of the best I’ve been to – and I did everything I could to get past Chris, but he was too good in the end.”
Earlier in the day, Hanssen took the first final and was awarded the Queensland Championship in the Pro Gearbox category. Gladstone-based John Grother finished third.
In the Pro Light division, unheralded West Australian Luke Gabin dominated proceedings, winning both finals.
“It’s very pleasing to get this result, it’s been hard work over the off-season to try and get everything together,” he said.
“Last year wasn’t a great year for us in the Stars of Karting, but this year couldn’t have started in any better fashion.”
Gabin defeated Sydneysider Matthew Waters and local driver Brooke Topp.
The elite junior category in Australian karting, Pro Junior, was a story of woe for many of the leading contenders.
In the first final, Andrew Kahl held a 2.7 second advantage before a mechanical failure put him to the sidelines.
James Abela took the win but was later handed a 10 second penalty for a startline infringement.
Kahl produced a super drive in final two to pass 15 drivers to finish third. Abela was second and the winner was Victorian Liam McLellan.
It is McLellan’s first full season in the series. After a troubled day yesterday, he finished second in the first final, then won the second race in emphatic fashion.
The two state championship support events resulted in Queenslanders Adam Mercer (TaG Light) and Toowoomba’s Brendan Nelson winning their categories.
The event drew a healthy crowd across the two days of competition. With more than 160 teams travelling to Ipswich for at least four nights, the elite series ensured a great vibe around the city.
