RANDLE AND ROCHFORD RACE TO ROTAX PRO TOUR VICTORIES

Thomas Randle on his way to victory in Junior Rotax (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Melbourne drivers Thomas Randle and Daniel Rochford were two of the big winners at the Rotax Pro Tour event, incorporating the Jason Richards Memorial, hosted by the Albury Wodonga Kart Club on the weekend.

Randle proved victorious in the Junior Rotax category in his FA (Fernando Alonso) Kart ahead of Wright Kart pilot James Golding while CC Racing’s Liam McLellan completed the all-Victorian podium.

Sydneysiders Cameron Hill and Andrew Kahl finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 30-lap main event.  Gold Coast driver Jaxon Evans used Randle’s spare chassis in today’s action (after he damaged his RK chassis in a rollover incident yesterday) to charge his way to sixth place.

Melbourne driver Daniel Rochford claimed the win in the Rotax Light category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

After playing second fiddle to CRG driver Pierce Lehane during yesterday’s heat races, Rochford turned the tables on the youngster today to dominate both the pre-final and final in the Rotax Light category.

The RJ Garage Doors Kosmic driver got the jump at the start to open a handy buffer ahead of Lehane, who was the followed by reigning Junior Max Champion Joseph Mawson.

As the race continued Lehane pulled clear of Mawson to close in on Rochford but the Victorian was able to hold his composure to take his second Pro Tour victory in the category.

“Pierce certainly kept me honest all race there in the final, one mistake and I knew that he would be right there and able to challenge,” said Rochford.

“I’ve only raced here once before and that was many years ago, so to come away with the win, especially after being outpaced by Pierce yesterday, is very pleasing.”

Behind the leading duo, Mawson and Tony Kart driver Joel Smith came together on the last lap allowing Geoff Connell to snare third place.  CC Racing’s Bradley Jenner finished fourth ahead of Energy Corse Australia’s Michael Stewart, who started from the rear of the field after failing to finish the pre-final.

Victorian Troy Woolston with the Jason Richards Memorial Award (Pic: Real Deal Media)

For the fourth Rotax Pro Tour event in a row Melbourne driver Troy Woolston greeted the chequered flag first aboard his CC Racing Intrepid kart in the Rotax Heavy division.  Woolston led home Exprit driver William Yarwood and the Gold Coast’s Lane Moore in the main event.

Woolston was also honoured throughout the day when he was presented with the inaugural Jason Richards Memorial Award.  This Award was voted on by a number of key members from the event origanisers to a driver who they believe displays exceptional sportsmanship win, lose or draw.

“It’s an absolute honour to be presented with this award, Jason was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word and always had time for everyone,” said Woolston.

“This award is something that I will very much treasure.”

Also competing in the DD2 category, where the winner would receive the Jason Richards cup, Woolston finished in third place behind Top Kart driver Kyle Ensbey and CRG’s Jason Pringle.

Kyle Ensbey leading Jason Pringle and Woolston in the DD2 Final (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Ensbey and Pringle battled for the front running all weekend before the Sunshine Coast driver held on for a narrow victory in the 30-lap final.  Thomas Macdonald showed good speed to cross the line in fourth place aboard his Exprit kart.

“I knew getting the jump off the start was going to be vital as it’s very hard to pass Pringle at the best of times, let alone a tight track like here in Albury,” said Ensbey.

“Luckily I was able to get that jump and then hold a slight gap to get the win.  We’ve been working pretty hard on getting the Top Kart right over the past few months, so it’s great to finally break through for the win.

“The added bonus is to win the Jason Richards Cup.  I had the honour of racing against him a couple of years ago in this category and he was a great bloke.”

Queenslander Shane Karandrews took out the Rotax Over 40s category (Pic: Real Deal Media)

In the Rotax Over 40’s category it was Shane Karandrews who snared the win aboard his Tony Kart.  CRG driver Dean Penrose set the pace for the majority of the weekend, but an early race incident forced him to watch from the sidelines.

Ex-pat New Zealander Hamish Leighton made the most of his opportunities in the DD2 Masters category to take the win ahead of John Bailey and Sydney’s Brent Coghlan.  After qualifying on the front row, wheelchair-bound racer Niki Urwin had a difficult race after a mechanical issue forced him to start from the rear of the grid.  He then charged his way through the field to finish sixth.

To view the full results please click here.

The next Rotax Pro Tour event will be hosted by the Griffith Kart Club on June 2/3.