PHOTO CREDIT: PACE IMAGES
Kartclass took to the state of New South Wales over the weekend for the fifth and final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship. 18 time national champion David Sera was once again leading the 7 driver team across 4 classes with championship aspirations for Peter Bouzinelos in KA2 and a top 3 spot for Riley Harrison in Cadet 12.
Peter Bouzinelos and Ben Holliday took to the track for the Kartclass team in the premier KA2 junior class. Bouzinelos led the charge in qualifying putting himself inside the top 5, with Holliday not far behind in position 10. Both drivers were inside the top 5 across the heats with position 2 in heat 1 and position 3 in heat 2 for Bouzinelos, while Holliday came home in position 4 in heat 2. Bouzinelos had a DNF in heat 3 which effectively ruled him out of the championship hunt, with a podium spot now the goal. In unfortunate circumstances, both drivers weren’t able to finish the final. Bouzinelos was able to claim 3rd spot overall in the championship in a terrific result for the team.
Jaxon Johnstone was once again the senior driver leading the Kartclass team in the X30 class. Johnstone qualified just outside the top 20 in position 24 but moved up to position 20 in heat 3 and an awesome position 13 in heat 4. Jaxon drove his heart out in the final and was nearing the back of the top 10. Johnstone was able to come home in position 12, moving up a remarkable 12 spots across the weekend!
Jay Kostecki and Carter Grother were the youngest two drivers for the Kartclass team in Cadet 9. Kostecki did a brilliant job in qualifying to put himself on the 2nd row of the grid, with Grother just outside the top 10 in position 13. Kostecki raced inside or on the verge of the top 5 in all 4 of his heats, with Grother making his way to as high as position 9 in heat 3. Both drivers put in exceptional drives in the final to come home just outside the top 5 with Kostecki in position 6 and Grother right behind in positon 7.
Riley Harrison and Dominic Mercuri who have both taking out championship round wins were taking on Cadet 12 for Kartclass. Both drivers did a superb job in qualifying with Harrison in position 3 and Mercuri down in position 6. Harrison raced in the top 5 battle all weekend with a 2nd position in heat 3. Mercuri unfortunately had some rough heat races putting him back in the order and trying to charge back into contention. Harrison raced as hard as he could in the final, coming home in position 6 and taking home 3rd place in the championship! Mercuri was able to continue his recovery forward and finish just outside the top 10 in position 12 overall.
The results across the year cumulate in Kart Class being awarded 3rd in the teams championship. David Sera spoke post weekend on a tough season and tough final round. “It was a disappointing end to the AKC, with our drivers struggling to find pace at Newcastle. We never gave up, which is a testament to the kids & families and to walk away with 3rd in Cadet 12, KA2 and the teams championship was some reward to a big year”. Kartclass will be back once again in 2023 for another shot at SP Tools Australian Kart Championship gold!
