KARTING IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THE BATTYE CLAN (inc. Qualifying Results)

Josh Rogers and Jack Bussey lead the local charge in qualifying

The Battye Family - L-R Jenny, Gerard, Becca and Sam (in kart) (Pic: Real Deal Media)

After a frantic six months, the Battye family household will return to resembling somewhat of a normal family home next week – but not before another few 12 hour days are spent at the kart track this weekend.

As Secretary of the Gladstone Kart Club, Jenny Battye has spent no less than 40 hours of her ‘spare time’ preparing for this weekend’s KTEQ Rentals Queensland Karting Championships.

“The preparations really started back in September after we held the Queensland Closed State Championships and it has been almost a second full-time job for me over the past few weeks,” said Battye.

“I don’t think there’s been a day in the last month or so that I’ve been in bed before 11pm but that’s what needs to happen to make this event a success.”

Such has been the dedication by Battye, along with Brad Fleetwood and around a dozen other members of the Gladstone Kart Club, her husband Gerard – who also runs the local Two 4 Tuning karting business – has even been doing more of the household chores.

“If I didn’t have the support of my husband I think I’d be lost, along with my kids as well – they’ve been a great help. While it’s been very tiring at times, preparing for this weekend’s event has been a great experience,” said Battye, who’s ‘real job’ is a Psychologist for Education Queensland.

“In saying that thought I’m really looking forward to spending some family time with the kids next week while they’re on holidays.”

The Gladstone Kart Club has 88 racing members, that includes some 37 families, the majority of which are involved in one form or another in this weekend’s championships.

Special guests, including Gladstone Mayor Gail Sellers, Local State Member of Parliament Liz Cunningham and four Elected Councillors will be in attendance for a special ceremony on Sunday.

Local driver Josh Rogers on his way to the fastest qualifying time in the Rookies category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

During qualifying today, it was Boyne Island youngster Josh Rogers who led the charge for the local drivers in his Kosmic kart supported by MG Engines and Cian Fothergill karting.

Rogers topped the timesheets in the Rookies category ahead of fellow local Jack Bussey.

Pierce Lehane was the fastest qualifier in both the Leopard Light and Rotax Light categories (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Denis Butler was another Gladstone Kart Club member to secure pole position. Butler set the pace in Clubman Over 40’s ahead of Shane Leahy and Stanley Petersen.

Two-time CIK Stars of Karting Series Champion Pierce Lehane upstaged local ‘hotshots’ Cian Fothergill and John Grother to set the pace in the Leopard category.

Lehane started his weekend off in a perfect fashion by also securing pole position in the highly-competitive Rotax Light category ahead of fellow Sydneysider Joseph Mawson and Gold Coaster Chris Hays.

Qualifying was contested today (top five results below) prior to the start of the heat races. The racing will continue tomorrow ahead of the Championship Finals on Sunday.

The Gladstone Kart Track is located on South Tree Drive, Gladstone. Admission is free for spectators.

2012 KTEQ Rentals Queensland Karting Championships
Gladstone, QLD

RESULTS: Combined Qualifying (Top 5)

Ben Stewart was the fastest qualifier in the Clubman Light category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Leopard Heavy
1. Daniel Stein 32.843
2. Matt Greenbury 32.983
3. Kris Walton 33.064
4. Jason Faint 33.106
5. Matt Davis 33.116

Rookies
1. Josh Rogers 37.371
2. Jack Bussey 37.506
3. Harrison Oddie 37.467
4. Brock Owen 37.578
5. Cameron Sheilds 37.581

Junior National Light
1. James Abela 36.511
2. William Brown 36.527
3. Bryce Fullwood 36.530
4. Jayden Ojeda 36.558
5. Liam McLellan 36.558

Rotax Light
1. Pierce Lehane 33.012
2. Joseph Mawson 33.084
3. Chris Hays 33.090
4. Chris Farkas 33.121
5. Dale Corbett 33.150

Clubman Super Heavy
1. John Rowley 35.110
2. Scott Simpson 35.143
3. Ben McKinlay 35.152
4. Bradley Moody 35.373
5. Joshua Herne 35.462

Cadets
1. Jai Sparey 38.397
2. Jay McGregor 38.442
3. Benito Montablano 38.452
4. Harrison Hoey 38.466
5. Jai Brown 38.503

Junior Max
1. Joseph Burton-Harris 33.324
2. Brock Plumb 33.325
3. Thomas Randle 33.347
4. Cameron Hill 33.426
5. Matthew Jones 33.450

Senior National
1. Luke Caputo 37.193
2. Sean Butcher 37.266
3. Oliver Etter 37.304
4. Chris Farkas 37.424
5. Todd Stevens 37.476

Clubman Heavy
1. Clinton Marcon 34.307
2. James Greenwood 34.372
3. Brendan Nelson 34.392
4. Kip Foster 34.424
5. Trent Rogers 34.497

Junior National Heavy
1. Brock Plumb 36.955
2. Nicholas Rowe 37.085
3. Joshua Smith 37.109
4. James Allen 37.218
5. Cody Gillis 37.238

Leopard Light
1. Pierce Lehane 32.007
2. Cian Fothergill 32.110
3. Ben Stewart 32.389
4. John Grother 32.362
5. Joshua Crossingham 32.419

Clubman Over 40’s
1. Denis Butler 34.818
2. Shane Leahy 34.823
3. Stanley Petersen 35.105
4. Steve Muscat 35.124
5. Glen Stallbaum 35.140

Rotax Heavy
1. William Yarwood 33.768
2. Ben McKinlay 33.885
3. Daniel Stein 33.938
4. Brendan Nelson 33.962
5. Michael Powe 33.976

Clubman Light
1. Ben Stewart 33.702
2. Joseph Mawson 33.783
3. Lydon Dodge 33.821
4. Nathan Davis 33.843
5. Cian Fothergill 33.935

Junior Clubman
1. Thomas Randle 33.850
2. Joshua Smith 33.855
3. Nicholas Rowe 33.875
4. Reece Davidson 33.937
5. Lachlan McHugh 33.941

*All results are provisional

The race order for the event is as follows:
1. Leopard Heavy
2. Rookies
3. Junior National Light
4. Rotax Light
5. Clubman Super Heavy
6. Cadets
7. Junior Max
8. Senior National
9. Clubman Heavy
10. Junior National Heavy
11. Leopard Light
12. Clubman Over 40’s
13. Rotax Heavy
14. Clubman Light
15. Junior Clubman

The results are being uploaded to the CM:S System at the completion of each race and can be found by clicking here.

The AKA’s Twitter will be posting snippets of information all throughout the weekend, follow the news here and also check out the facebook page here.