A1 Engines Motorsport had a team of 13 drivers across 7 classes headed to the capital of Victoria, Melbourne, for the 36th running of the Panduit City of Melbourne Titles. Brett Arnett was once again powering the thirteen drivers ranging from the Cadet 12 field all the way through to the senior driver ranks. The team had SP Tools Australian Kart Championship round winners William Thompson and Jackson Brasher along with former state champions Zackary Thompson and Ayrton Dalmaso leading the team.
William Thompson was the single driver using the A1 Engines Motorsport power in KA4 Junior Light. Thompson put in a strong performance in qualifying, landing himself in position 8. Will dropped backed to position 13 in heat 1 but fought his way back up to position 6 in heat 2 and position 5 in heat 3. Thompson saved his best until last moving his way forward in the final and coming home on the podium in position 3 overall!
Ayrton Dalmaso was another single driver using the A1 Engines Motorsport powerplant, this time in KA3 Junior. Dalmaso qualified just outside the top 20 in position 22 but quickly got into his work to make his way up the field. Ayrton made his way into the top 20 in heat 2 and then into the top 15 in heat 3 in position 13 overall. Dalmaso continued his brilliant progress in the final just missing the top ten overall in a brilliant position 11 overall.
KA3 Senior Light had a four driver A1 Engines Motorsport attack in former national champion Kobi Williams, Nicholas Trebilcock, Chloe Potter and Harley Bright. Williams and Trebilcock led the charge in qualifying landing inside the top 10 in position 5 and 7. Potter was just outside the top 15 in position 16 with Bright inside the top 25. Williams and Trebilcock raced around the top 5 and 10 in the heats but Williams had a DNF in heat 3, putting him off the rear of the field for the final. Potter was racing around the top 15 with Bright pushing towards the back of the top 20. Trebilcock was able to lead the way in the final coming home inside the top 10 in position 8. Williams putting in a storming driver from the rear to come home in position 12, with Potter and Bright not far behind in position 19 and 23 respectively.
Ryan Dealy was flying the A1 Engines Motorsport flag in the TAG 125 Restricted Light class. Dealy qualified in a brilliant position 3 but a DNF in heat one stopped his momentum. Ryan regrouped quickly and was able to make his way into position 3 in heat 2 and position 4 in heat 3. Dealy was right in the battle for victory in the final and came away with a brilliant podium in position 2 overall!
Jackson Brasher and Aryton Myers were the youngest drivers using the A1 Engines Motorsport power in the Cadet 12 class. Brasher was able to qualify in position 15 with Myers unfortunately not setting time in the session. Brasher was able to move forward in every heat with a position 8 and position 9 in heat 2 and 3. Myers was able to make his way forward on to the edge of the top 20 in heat 2 but a DNF in heat 3, putting him off the rear of the field once again. Brasher was able to charge forward once again in the final coming away with a brilliant position 5 to finish the weekend. Myers was able to move up around 10 spots and come home in a credible position 24 from the rear of the field.
KA3 Senior Medium had Corey Arnett and Bodhi Bright flying the flag for A1 Engines Motorsport. Arnett qualified just outside the top 5 in position 6 with Bright down in position 12, looking to move forward across the heats. Arnett did a faultless job in the 3 heats claiming position 1. Bright was able to move his way forward into the top ten with position 9 in heat 1 and position 8 in heat 3. Arnett was in a race long battle for victory in the final, coming away with position 2 and on the podium. Bright left his best performance of the weekend until the final coming away with position 6 overall.
TAG 125 Light was the final class of the weekend which had A1 Engine Motorsport drivers Zackary Thompson and Zane Bright. Bright led the way in qualifying with position 18 overall, with Thompson down in position 24 and looking to move forward. Thompson was able to charge his way forward in the heats moving into the top 15 in heats 1 and 2 and then the top 10 in the final heat race. Bright was racing around the top 20 but DNF’s in heat 2 and 3 hurt his chances and had him off the rear of the field for the final. Thompson was able to put in a remarkable drive working his way up onto the podium in position 2 in a great fightback! Bright starting outside the top 30 was able to move his way forward into position 18 by the final flag in a nice fightback.
Brett Arnett spoke post weekend on his A1 Engines Motorsport team. “It was nice to come away with some silverware! It is one of the toughest meetings of the year and to come away with 4 podium positions was a great result. Corey and Ryan were right in the battle for victory and both Thompson boys did a great job to come through the field”. A1 Engines Motorsport will have a busy end to the 2022 karting season.
