The Easter break saw a contingent of Sprint Kart drivers from around the Northwest converge on Karratha to compete in the first of five rounds in the 2012 Northern Zone Series Titles.
Eighty plus drivers from Karratha, Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Exmouth, Geraldton and Perth spent Good Friday setting up their race karts and preparing for what was to be a very long and hot day and night of racing come Saturday at the Karratha Kart Club in the LIA.
Racing commenced at midday and went well into the evening as ten nominated race classes competed in four separate heats prior to the finals once the sun had set.
The Open class took to the track first with some action aplenty as local driver Jeremy Pitt tried making a comeback after spending considerable time away from the sport.
His efforts were in vain as he struggled to keep the high-powered machine on the track due to a broken hand.
At the end of the night it was Exmouth boys Alan Waddingham and Peter Maier who took first and second place at the end of the evening.
Next up were the Sportsman 125 Light class and again Exmouth drivers were showing the remainder of the field what it is like to be up front with brothers Aiden and Kieran Passmore finishing first and third overall.
Ryan Brown from Tom Price split the brothers to take second place.
The young up and coming Pro-Cadets were out in force putting in some great racing throughout the day with Tom Price kids Brayden Brown and Tyler Smith out-classing the remainder of the field.
For Junior National drivers Connor Whitlock and Braedyn Bowra, the trip from the city paid off as the Perth duo were able to hold out the rest of the class with a first and second overall.
Liam Hagan from Newman rounded out the top three.
The Junior Clubman class showed how Tom Price drivers could race when Travis Brown finished the meet ahead of local drivers Amie Gray and Caleb Barth.
Local girl Kayla O’Keefe pushed the top three throughout the day but was not able to gain the advantage she required to make the podium.
Michael Baumgarten from Hedland had an almost perfect race meet to hold out Geraldton driver Ken Stewart to take the win for the Sportsman 100 Heavy class giving Hedland its first trophy for the meet.
Local driver James Lamb was very lucky to escape serious injury and walk away in the 100 Heavy class when he locked onto fellow club member Clae Pike flipping his kart mid air then ending upside down in the tyre barriers.
Exmouth again came to the foray when Aiden Passmore continued his streak by winning the Sportsman 100 Medium class ahead of local driver Ethan Barth.
The time finally came for Karratha to take honours when local driver Marty Coutts took the majority of wins in the Restricted 125 Heavy class.
Hedland rookies Archie Morrison and Gregory Gaudron ended their night second and third respectively.
Next were the Restricted 125 Lights where Karratha’s Troy O’Keefe held off a very quick Nathan Wills from Hedland and fellow team member Andrew McLeod to gain victory.
McLeod finished third behind Wills to round out the Light class.
The last class was the Sportsman 125 Heavies, which saw Hedland driver Mick Day, shine above the remainder of the field to win the overall.
Newman driver Levi Hagan finished in second position followed by Nicola Duncan from Hedland.
The day was well received by all who attended and special thanks went to Karratha Kart Club president Hans Barth and committee member Wayne Moritz for the work they both put in to make the day a successful one.
The next Northern Zone Series will be held in Newman on May 5, 2012.
Karratha Kart Club will hold its next club meeting on April 21, 2012.
For those interested in the sport you can contact Michelle Lino on 0418 921 200.
