Lismore Kart Club karter Chris Burley on his way to a clean sweep of the weekend in the Junior National Lights in round one of the State Cup North series, held in Lismore. Photo Nick Adams / Flatbikkie Photography
The Lismore Kart Club hosted the first round of the State Cup Series last weekend (11th & 12th February) with a solid field in all classes.
After weeks of uncertain weather the skies cleared to give drivers a beautiful weekend of racing. Late storms threatened to interrupt proceedings, with lightning to the west offering the Junior National Heavys a hurry up on Saturday afternoon.
It was a hard fought battle in the Rookies class with Natasha Herne, Damon Ash, Kaleb Mustow-Veal, and Jack Smith all fighting for the top placings. Natasha Herne led for 15 of the 16 laps in the final to be pipped at the post by Damon Ash and Jack Smith.
Joshua Crossingham dominated the Senior National Light racing, with Hayden Buchanan finishing second, and Francis King and Jaden Partridge tussling for the final podium position.
Natasha Herne fights off a challenge Jack Smith and Kaleb Mustow-Veal in the Rookies final in round one of the State Cup North Series at the Lismore Kart Club. Kart #66 Damon Ash went on to win. Photo Nick Adams / Flatbikkie
Chris Burley from the Lismore Kart Club outclassed an impressive field in the Junior National Lights, qualifying fastest and winning the heats, prefinal, and final. Racing was interrupted in the final after an accident saw the race red flagged. Racing resumed to see fellow club member Michael Dwyer take second spot, and Jordan Kidas hold out a fast finishing Gus Flynn.
Cadet racers Fraser Ruane and Nathan Herne of the Lismore Kart Club continued their on track rivalry. The pair swapped the lead in the final over half a dozen times, with Ruane stepping up to take the win. Their clean racing is a drawcard, providing the most exciting racing of the weekend. In third place, Jack Doohan, another well known racing name, took the honours.Michael Slade took victory in the Tag Restricted Lights, with Daniel Burley second and Paul Craddock third. Luke Garrard continued to dominate in the Heavys, followed home by Scott Hogan, and Steve Hartelust.
In the combined Clubman Light, Heavy, and Sportsman 125 Heavy race, Lindsay Bunt took out the Sportsman 125 Heavy Class. Adam Briggs led home fellow Lismore karters Bianca Herne, and Jamie Quinn in the Clubman Light, with Joshua Herne victorious in the Clubman Heavy.
The Junior National Heavys finished off racing for the weekend, with Brady Buchanan taking honours across the weekend. Lismore karter Mathew Byrne took second place in his first outing in the heavy division, and Steven Adams rounding out the top three.
The next race meet at the Lismore Kart Club track will be held on the 18th March, with details on our web site www.lismorekartclub.com
Junior karters are reminded to add the Lismore Kart Club Young Guns Titles to their calendar on 4th, 5th & 6th May. There is a combined prize pool valued at over $17 000. Trophies, tyres, and coloured plates are again on offer to class winners. Three Formula Ford Development Day prizes will also be given away, with draws for a CRG chassis and a Yamaha motor amongst the giveaways.
The Young Guns Titles continues to grow as one of the premier events on the Australian karting calendar for Juniors. All welcome to come along to pit their skills against some of the best drivers in the country.
Lismore Kart Club Track, State Cup North Round 1 Results
Cadets; 1. Fraser Ruane, 2. Nathan Herne, 3. Jack Doohan.
Rookies; 1. Damon Ash, 2. Jack Smith, 3. Natasha Herne.
Junior National Light; 1. Chris Burley, 2. Michael Dwyer, 3. Jordan Kidas.
Junior National Heavy; 1. Brady Buchanan, 2. Mathew Byrne, 3. Steven Adams.
Clubman Light: 1. Adam Briggs, 2. Bianca Herne, 3. Jamie Quinn.
Clubman Heavy: 1. Joshua Herne, 2. Timothy Pettitt.
Senior National Light; 1. Joshua Crossingham, 2. Hayden Buchanan, 3. Francis King.
Sportsman 125 Heavy; 1. Lindsay Bunt.
Tag Restricted Light; 1. Michael Slade, 2. Daniel Burley, 3. Paul Craddock.
Tag Restricted Heavy; 1. Luke Garrard, 2. Scott Hogan, 3. Steve Hartelust.
