QUEENSLAND DRIVERS ON TOP IN IPSWICH

Chris Hays will start from pole position for tomorrow's opening Pro Gearbox (KZ2) final. Pic: Kart X/Budd

Queensland drivers Chris Hays, Cian Fothergill and Brock Plumb have finished on top of their respective categories in round one of the CIK Stars of Karting Series in Ipswich, Queensland today.

While it was Ipswich’s Scott Auld who stole the show during qualifying aboard his G Developments-backed MS Kart in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category, Hays took the victory in all three heat races contested today and secure pole position for tomorrow’s opening 25-lap final.

“Tyler (Greenbury) was right there with me in the heat races but my Tony Kart was working really well towards the end of the races and I managed to get a gap over the final couple of laps,” said Hays.

“I was in a similar position last year but didn’t finish the job off due to a couple of mistakes, I just need to drive smart tomorrow and get as many points as possible for the championship.”

A pair of second places in the heat races secured Auld a spot on the outside front row for tomorrow’s opening final. Toowoomba’s Tyler Greenbury, who pressured Hays during the opening two heat races today, and defending champion Matthew Wall will start on row two.

Fothergill was the dominant force in the Pro Light (KF1) category with the defending champion showing the field a clean pair of heels all throughout the day aboard his Tracksa-backed Kosmic kart.

“I had good speed in qualifying and then to get three heat wins is a great start to the season,” said Fothergill.

“There has been a big step up in the quality of drivers this year so to start up where we left off is very pleasing.

“The plan now is to take two more wins tomorrow and make the best possible start to my title defence.”

Victorian Champion Adam Hughes will start alongside Fothergill on the front row for tomorrow’s opening final with young gun James Macken starting from position three.

There is nothing separating the three Tony Kart drivers with Grant Smith, Aidan Wright and Joel Smith set to start from positions four, five and six respectively tomorrow morning.

Local driver Brock Plumb will start from pole position for Final One of Pro Junior (KF3) tomorrow. Pic: Kart X/Budd

In the Pro Junior (KF3) ranks Plumb was Mr Consistent all throughout the day with the Birel pilot taking the win in heat two and finished runner-up in the other two 15-lap heat races.

Defending series champion Pierce Lehane won two of the three races contested today, however, a fifth placing dropped him to the outside front row for tomorrow’s grid.

West Australian Jake Klarich will start from position three courtesy of a pair of third placings, with a much improved Jake Coleman starting fourth ahead of series debutants Dimitri Agathos and Holly Patrizi.

In the Yamaha Challenge Chris Farkas has won three race from three starts to secure pole position for tomorrow’s pre-final for the Clumban competitors. The Junior National grid will see James Abela start on pole position ahead of Jake Wood and Callum Walker.

Scott Sorensen will start from pole position in the TaG Light category while Joel Allingham is the best of the Heavy drivers.

To view the full results please visit the AKA results system by clicking here and click on the Queensland drop down menu followed by the Ipswich Kart Club.