National Hire Kart Challenge  (Rd 1)
Sunday 1^st March 2020

This is going to be a sensational year for the Hire kart racing fraternity with the introduction of the National Hire Kart Challenge. There are 9 rounds over 9 months and you will get to drop your worst round in the points score.  Drivers should note that the NHKC has a minimum weight of 80kg per driver so to compete in the national final drivers may need to wear weight suits or similar to qualify. The top 5 point scorers after the 9 rounds will represent Qld in the National titles to be held here on the 31^st October this year.

In Qld there are going to be 3 weight classes Lights (up to70kg), Mediums (71kg – 89kg), and the heavy class of all drivers over 90kg. Races are run on the last Sunday of most months and we will be running either 3 separate races or Depending on the number of we may amalgamate the classes in any one event.  Each weight division will be racing for their own set of trophies and points and we will be awarding medallions and trophies in each round.

At the conclusion of each day there will be a free lunch time BBQ and the Track Manager Allan will be conducting the presentation ceremony straight after lunch.

Round 1 Heavy and light Combined Report

It was a very competitive day with a collection of some of the fastest drivers  all brought together to race for the title of National Hire Kart Champion. Overall it was a great day with only one incident that required the stewards involvement and with that sorted it was on with the business.

This round saw the New Platinum Series Schumacher karts hit the track and they are a different kart to drive and many drivers struggled with the different steering and grip factors in the early qualifying races.

Heavy Qualifying:  hit the lemans track next and that saw Ryan O Sullivan putting It on pole with a 63.880 and in 2^nd Bob Cripps, Chris Martin in 3^rd taking out the top 3 spots for the 90+kg Heavy Weights

Light Qualifying: On track we have the light weights racing the clock to see who will be fastest. Lindsay Hobbs puts it on pole doing a 62.246 fastest lap this morning. Rounding up 2^nd place was Josh Mcleod and 3^rd place was Robert Mclaren.

Combined Race 1,  Light and Heavys. As the pace karts about to pull in we have Lindsay Hobb and Josh Mc leod leading the grid on the main straight waiting for the lights to go green. GO GO GO the lights are green and we are off and racing down in to turn one with Lindsay Hobbs (L) getting off to the clean start and getting the gap to the rest of the grid. Ryan O Sullivan (H) take a clean dive on Rob Ferriman and making the move stick. Lindsay Hobbs was a long way down the road running the fastest lap of the morning of a 61.6. and he stay clear and ran away to record a race 1 win.  a few seconds back was Josh McLeod and rounding off the top 3 was Robert Mc laren. Ryan O Sullivan was the first of the heavy drivers home and right in the mix with the lighter drivers.

Heat two, we see the lights and heavys hit the track once more. Rolling lap on to the straight - the pace kart is in and we are off racing down into turn one With Lindsay Hobbs getting off to another clean start making it look easy. Once again Josh Mcleod is trying to chase him down in 2^nd place running low 62 seconds but its just not enough. Phillip P moving his way up the grid for the heavy showing that hes just as fast as the other drivers on track.  He has it in the bag, Lindsay Hobbs 1^st and in 2^nd Josh McLeod and 3^rd Rob Mclearn. And taken it out for the Heavies Ryan O Sullivan 1^st and in 2^nd Phillip P and rounding off the top 3 was Sam Deering.

Heat three for the Lights and Heavys. All driver behind the pace kart waiting to race the pace kart goes and there off racing down the main straight and Lindsay Hobb get another clean start putting his kart out in front and once this time a very determined  Josh McLeod is right on his heels. The battle was on for 3^rd between the Roberts as they race side by side it to the hairpin at the end of the straight. This was an excellent drive also by Bob Cripps who was holding onto to the group, showing the young ones he can keep up with them. Extremely entertaing race with lots of paasing and race strategies unfolding but as the flag goes out it is congratulations to Lindsay Hobb in 1^st and 2^nd Josh McLeod and taken out 3^rd for the battle of the robs goes to Rob Mclaren. Taken it out for the Heavies was Ryan O Sullivan and not far behind him was Phillip P 2^nd and 3^rd was Sam Deering.

Last race of the day  in Nation Hire Kart Challenge we have the Heavys and Lights and leading the grid out on to the track was the highest point scorers Lindsay Hobbs and Josh McLeod. The lights goes green and we are off and racing around lemans for the final race. Lindsay Hobbs gets off to the perfect start leading out of turn one. Can anyone catch him. As we hit lap 6 Lindsay is well clear and In 2^nd is Josh Mc Leod but and 5 seconds back  and right behind him Rob Ferriman pushing and probing the younger driver just waiting for an opening for a pass. On lap 7 theres a chance and Rob Ferriman dives down the inside and into 2^nd place and that is how they finished. For the Heavys the battle was on for 2^nd and 3^rd for the whole race and Phillip defended his line well as they entered turn one and securing 2^nd place

Final results were Lindsay Hobbs is 10 seconds out in front coming in 2^nd Rob Ferriman and 3^rd Josh McLeod. Ryan O Sullivan again drove well and served it to the lighter drivers and takes it out for the Heavys and coming in 2^nd was Phillip P and 3^rd was Chris Martin.

Well that it round one done of the National Hire Kart Challenge is now done but theres 8 more rounds to go who will be are top 5 drivers at the end? Will it be YOU!

Would like to thank all that race and all wifes & partners and Kids that cheers their driver on as they raced around the track.

Top 3 Heavy weights

1^st Ryan O’Sullivan 214 points

2^nd Phillip P 202 points

3^rd Chris Martin 190 points

Top 3 Light weights

1^st Lindsay Hobbs 240 points

2^nd Josh McLeod 230 Points

3^rd Robert Mclaren 220 points

Are you Fast enough can you beat 62.5 second lap time? if that’s you book in for the challenge next round is the 28^th March see you there.

Top 3 points holders overall on the day.

1^st Lindsay Hobbs 240 points

2^nd Josh McLeod 230 points

3^rd Dean Ferguson 228 points

So as you can see there is nothing between the top drivers and along way to go until the October Finals. Until next race on the 28^th of march all the best and race safe.

Allan Dawson

Track Manager