Two Vortex Rok class winners of the opening round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE are in the rare position of chasing down the Championship lead at this weekend’s second round of the Series to be held on the New South Wales-Victoria border this weekend.
Under the points system for the Championship, points are awarded across each heat – and the final – throughout the course of the race weekend, therefore reward consistency.
It is a brand new track for the Australian Championships this weekend at Albury Wodonga, which is set to level the playing field.
Most notably in the ‘chaser’ situation is Tasmanian AWC Motorsport Academy driver, Lachlan Dalton in the single gear KA1 category utilising the Vortex DVS-SV. He became the first Tasmanian to win a round of the Australian Championships at round one, but heads to Albury sitting third on the points ladder, seven points behind Kosmic TD Racing driver, Joshua Denton from Adelaide, SA.
Separating them is PFG Race Team driver, Mathew Stenner – who started the season with a hard fought performance throughout the course of the weekend. Defending Champion, HDR Arrow’s Scott Sorensen is looking to fight back this round, so too last year’s Junior Champion – Broc Feeney – who, along with lady racers Rianna O’Meara-Hunt and Taylah Agius – is one of the very few in the category who have racing experience at the recently expanded Albury kart circuit.
In Cadet 12, last round winner, Shamick Racing’s Harry Arnett is another chaser – sitting just off the Championship lead, with EVO Kart’s James Piszcyk holding a three point buffer in the Vortex Mini-Rok powered class. Last round’s second placed man, Max Deguara is currently fourth on the points standings.
In the premier Junior category, first round winner, Visa Global Logistics-backed driver Valentino Astuti takes what seems like an almost comfortable 11 point advantage to Albury over Kai Allen – who is quickly becoming accustomed to the higher power afforded to him by the Vortex DVS motor. Hard luck story from the last round, Matt Hillyer lines up third in points, but still in striking distance – 13 behind Astuti.
In the youngest category of Rokkers set to take the track this weekend – Cadet 9, Rusty Ponting will be looking to back up his maiden Championship win at Monarto as he holds a three point Championship lead over Rock Han and a further point over Justin Francis – who comes in hot after winning the Victorian Cadet 9 Championship round last weekend, which uses the Vortex Mini-Rok 60cc motor.
108 Vortex Rok competitors are set for the second round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol EDGE. It is a new track for the Championship – so establishes a level playing field for the competition.
Numbers continue to be strong across all Vortex categories, with 50 Cadet 12 competitors entered for the 40 spots available in Sunday’s final.
Live timing throughout the weekend can be followed on the Speedhive by MyLaps App available on the iTunes or Google Play stores – or via http://www.karting.net.au.
Livestreaming of Sunday’s action can be followed at http://www.karting.net.au or via http://www.facebook.com/australiankartchampionship.
For more information on Vortex Engines Australia, visit http://www.vortex-engines.com.au or http://www.facebook.com/vortexengines.
