PHOTO CREDIT: PHOTO NINJA
B & A Kart Racing’s James and Aiva Anagnostiadis took on the final round of the Rotax Pro Tour over the weekend at the Coffs Harbour Kart Club. Both drivers have had busy 2022 season, with a national championship for James on the line over the weekend. Aiva was once again competing in the Rotax Light category, with James in the Junior Max class. Both drivers were looking to put their best results in to finish the championship.
James as first out in the Junior Max class and had a tough field of 15 drivers to contend with in the final round of the championship. Qualifying was under wet conditions with Anagnostiadis knowing he had to keep the kart near the front for his championship. James was able to put himself in the top 5 drivers and set the 4th fastest time in the timed session. Heat 1 Anagnostiadis didn’t get the start he was after, dropping back to position 6 on the opening lap. James dug deep and quickly made his way back up into 4th position. Anagnostiadis was able to stay there for the remainder of the race, crossing the line and grabbing more valuable points. Heat 2 and James was able to get a cleaner start and slotted into position 4. Anagnostiadis was in position 4 for majority of the race but was in a battle for 3rd in the back end of the race. James was able to make his way into 3rd position on the final lap grabbing more valuable points for his championship.
Sunday morning came around and the nerves were high for James with an Australian championship on the line. Anagnostiadis got a clean get away and quickly made his way into 3rd position. The pre final was back under dry conditions and James was sitting in 3rd position, doing what he needed to do for his championship. Anagnostiadis crossed the line in position 3 overall and was now looking to the final to secure his maiden Australian championship. James got a crucial start in the final, jumping into 2nd position and doing what he needed to do for his championship. Anagnostiadis dropped down to position 6 across the final but was able to take out the all important Australian championship in Junior Max!
Aiva was up next in the Rotax Light class and had a national level class field of 24 drivers to deal with. Anagnostiadis used all of her practice to get the best out of her driving and the package she had. Aiva put herself in the top 10 in a wet and wild qualifying session to land herself in position 7 on the grid. Anagnostiadis got a great start in heat 1 moving into the top 5 before being involved in an incident and dropping down outside the top 10. Aiva was able to regroup and make positions back up through the field and grab position 9 overall. Anagnostiadis had a much better start in heat 2 when she moved up to position 3 and was right in the battle at the front of the field. Aiva dropped down to position 4 but was driving well and was able to come home inside the top 5 to finish the 2nd heat!
Aiva was ready to go for her pre final and she was looking to continue her push for a podium result. Anagnostiadis slotted into position 3 at the end of lap 1 and then moved to 2nd on lap 2. Aiva was in a battle with Tyler Howard for 2nd spot and dropped down to 3rd in this battle mid race. Anagnostiadis crossed the line in 3rd to finish the race but an unfortunate 2 place penalty dropped her down to position 5 overall. Aiva was looking for a podium going into the final race of the Rotax season. Anagnostiadis got a clean get away but her race was turned on its head on lap 3 when she was involved in an incident and put to the rear of the field. Aiva got back on circuit and started charging through the field before dropping out of the race later in the final.
James and Aiva’s parents spoke post weekend on their two young driver’s weekend. “The final round of the Rotax Pro Tour was all about securing the Championship for James. He knew where he had to finish to get the job done and drove within those limits all weekend. We are so proud of him and the maturity he showed. Aiva had a brilliant weekend, driving within the top 5 all weekend. Unfortunately, an incident in the Final forced her to retire but we are really happy with her results!” Both drivers will have a busy finish to 2022 with the New South Wales State Championships the next big title on B & A Kart Racing’s radar.
