Henry Johnstone a young up and coming star from rural Victoria took on the opening round of the Australian Kart Championship at the Ipswich Kart Club this weekend. Johnstone racing the highly competitive KZ2 class was looking to get his 2019 season of to a strong start.
Johnstone went out for qualifying and in a highly competitive fast paced qualifying session Johnstone was able to put himself inside the top ten in position nine setting himself up in a strong position with the aim to move forward throughout the heats.
Heat 1 came around and Johnstone of to a clean start jumping away and staying in position nine in the early stages. Johnstone had a couple of battles throughout the race and managed to come home in position nine grabbing some vital championship points.
Johnstone again got away well in heat 2 and was able to maintain position. Johnstone dropped one spot and continued to battle throughout the race keeping himself clean and out of trouble. Johnstone crossed the line in position ten but after multiple post race penalties Johnstone was classified in a strong position six grabbing more valuable points to the championship.
Johnstone again out of position nine for heat three and again was able to get away well and hold position. Johnstone maintained position before making a move for position eight crossing the line in eighth spot. With post race penalties again playing a part Johnstone was again classified in sixth spot showing how important it is to stay out of trouble.
Johnstone again out of position nine, the number of his weekend apparently! Johnstone jumped away cleanly and maintained his position in ninth for the entire race but again being the benefit of post race penalties showing how important it is to keep yourself out of trouble with Johnstone moving all the way up to a classified fifth position again gaining valuable points for the weekend.
Final race and Johnstone out of position eight for the start and was able to immediately jump up to position seven. Johnstone dropped a couple of spots throughout the race before fighting back hard to cross the line in a creditable seventh spot. Johnstone did occur a post race drop down penalty costing him two positions and classifying him in position nine.
Johnstone overall was happy with the way things panned out. “I think we have had a good start to the year, I’m looking forward to getting back racing again in Newcastle for the second round of the championship”. Johnstone gaining valuable championship points will be looking to be gathering more results going into the second round at the Newcastle Go Kart Club.
