SURPRISES AND STARS SHOW THE WAY AT PRO TOUR ALBURY

Andrew Kahl will start from pole position in the Junior Rotax pre-final tomorrow (Pic: Real Deal Media)

There were a number of surprises during qualifying day at the Rotax Pro Tour IV, incorporating the Jason Richards Memorial, hosted by the Albury Wodonga Kart Club today.

In the junior ranks it was Tony Kart driver Andrew Kahl who showed the 35-kart field the fastest way around the flowing circuit. The Karting World driver then led the way during the opening half of the first 18-lap heat race before being chased down and passed by Victorian Thomas Randle.

Kahl then turned the table on Randle in the second encounter to take the win ahead of Joseph Burton-Harris and Top Kart’s Cameron Hill.

The third encounter was less of a subdued affair with two red flags punctuating proceedings, with a number of drivers involved in separate incidents – including one that saw Jaxon Evans spiraling through the air. Despite the spectacular exit, all drivers emerged without injury.

In the end, it was a hard charging Randle who chased down Kahl for the win. However, Kahl’s pair of second places and a win has earned him pole position for tomorrow’s pre-final.

“It’s been a pretty good day, I’ve had some good speed all day and had some great battles with Thomas.

“I last raced here when I was in Cadets and finished second, hopefully I can go one better tomorrow.”

CRG driver Pierce Lehane reaffirmed his position as one of Australia’s brightest stars with a dominant performance in the Rotax Light category. The Fujitsu Cool Driver, who finished third at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in 2010, qualified fastest before going on to claim the win in each of the three 18-lap heat races.

Behind Lehane, RJ Garage Doors Kosmic driver Daniel Rochford was a comfortable second while Bradley Jenner, Andrew Carey and Geoff Connell fought it out behind the leading duo.

“It’s been an awesome day, the CRG kart has really been working well since we first put it on the track yesterday,” said Lehane.

“A big thanks must go to Darren and Mattia (Skippy) from CRG and Troy Farley from Troy Farley Race Engines for all of their hard work so far, but there’s still a long way to go tomorrow.”

Reigning National Champion Troy Woolston won two of the three heats in Rotax Heavy (Pic: Real Deal Media)

In the DD2 category, Kyle Ensbey and last Pro Tour event victor Jason Pringle battled hard for the victories with Ensbey gaining the upper hand in the opening two heat races. Pringle turned the tables in the final race.

Reigning National Champion Troy Woolston claimed the win in two of the three heat races in the Rotax Heavy category, fastest qualifier Adam Hunter proved to be victorious in the other. The duo, along with 41-time state champion William Yarwood, Brendon Nelson and Todd Davey all ran within close proximity of each other throughout the day.

In the Rotax Over 40s category it was CRG’s Dean Penrose who proved superior by taking a clean sweep of the heat races. Shane Karandrews was close enough to keep him honest but never seriously mounted a challenge for the lead.

DD2 Masters Polesitter Brent Coghlan struck gearbox issues in the opening heat race handing the win to New Zealander Niki Urwin. John Bailey then took out the second heat race before Coghlan struck back in the final 18-lap encounter. Urwin’s consistency will see him line up on pole position for tomorrow morning’s pre-final aboard the Pacific Kartsport entry.

The pre-finals and finals will be contested tomorrow.