LOCAL DRIVERS LEAD THE WAY AT NSW KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Timothy Aebi qualified fastest in the Rookies category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Local drivers Timothy Aebi, Dale Corbett and Wayne Marsh upstaged their more fancied rivals when they qualified fastest in their respective categories at the New South Wales Open Sprint Kart Championships in Coffs Harbour today.

Aebi outpaced his rivals in the highly competitive Rookies category, that attracted 30 entries from various parts of the country, for drivers aged between nine and 13 years of age.. Qualifying second behind Aebi was Newcastle youngster Zac Raddatz, who was closely followed by Cosy Brewczynski and Victorian Dylan Hollis.

Corbett, who has been competing in the sport for nine years, believes that this weekend’s championships is the best opportunity that he’ll have to break through and claim the elusive blue plate awarded to each of the champions.

Local driver Dale Corbett outpaced his rivals in the Rotax Heavy category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

“Being my home circuit this is probably the best chance that I’ve got at winning a state championship. The track here has got a few little secrets in it and having done thousands of laps around here I probably know the ins and outs of the tracks better than anyone,” said Corbett, who was the fastest qualified in the Rotax Heavy category.

“I came from 28th to second place in the Rotax Light category last year at the state championship, which was my best finish in a state title, so hopefully I can go one better this weekend.”

Qualifying behind Corbett was Queenslander Brendan Nelson, who is also competing in the Leopard Heavy category where he set the fastest qualifying time ahead of Kris Walton.

Walton went one better in Clubman Heavy when he secured pole position by stopping the clock 0.029 seconds faster than Matthew Waters.

Wayne Marsh on his way to qualifying fastest in the Clubman Super Heavy category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Marsh was the third driver to use the local knowledge to his advantage by qualifying fastest in the Clubman Super Heavy category. Marsh’s time of 33.918 seconds was 0.012 seconds better than that set by multiple-time state champion Ben McKinlay. Canberra’s Bruce Otter was third fastest ahead of Lismore’s Joshua Herne.

The first round of heat races will begin this afternoon before continuing tomorrow. The Championship Finals will be contested on Sunday.

To view the full results please click here.

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