CIK: AUS: Series Newcastle summary

NOVOCASTRIANS FINISH ONE-TWO IN OPENING ROUND OF AUSTRALIAN CIK CHAMPIONSHIP

Novocastrians Hayden McBride and Simon Roberts claimed a one-two finish in the opening round of the 2009 Australian CIK Karting Championship, run alongside the Rotax Pro Tour, at the Mount Sugarloaf circuit in Newcastle, NSW over the weekend.

McBride, who won the Australian Rotax Light Championship at the same venue in 2006, was the pacesetter from the outset having qualified on pole position and taking the win in the opening two qualifying heats.

A mechanical gremlin halted his charge in the opening final of the day but McBride put this disappointment behind him to claim a dominant victory in the second final.

"It was a great way to start the championship off, while I had some dramas in the first final it all turned out ok in the end," said McBride.

"Newcastle is one of the best tracks in the country so it was great to be able to race on it in one of the world's most powerful kart engines.

"Work commitments means that I can't race as much as I used to, so the CIK Championship fits in perfectly and I'm really looking forward to the remainder of the series."

Roberts, who was making his debut in the Australian CIK Championship, continued to adapt to the high-horsepower machines before crossing the line second in the final race of the day.

Damian Radosevic, who won the first points scoring final earlier in the day, finished third behind the local duo in the second race.

South Australian Tyson Pearce showed glimpses of the talent that carried him to the 2003 Australian Championship throughout the weekend before his run came to a premature end due to chain problems.

Pearce bogged down greeting the starter for Final 1 and worked his way through to be in a position to challenge for the win on the final lap. He passed Radosevic heading onto the back straightaway only to have his chain come off with just two corners left to go. Pearce had the same problem in the second final, although far earlier in the 25-lap journey.

Series Organiser Peter Galvin was delighted to see the rejuvenated CIK Championship take to the track and is looking forward to the series develop over the remainder of 2009.

"It was fantastic to see the CIK-style of racing return to Australian circuits," said Galvin.

"The first final was one of the best races of the weekend and it was good to see Damien Radosevic win with a 'lease' engine that he simply bolted on his kart during Friday.

"Hayden was a deserved winner of the weekend but I'm sure he won't have it all his own way throughout the year as drivers to the calibre of Tyson, Mitchell Cunningham, Simon Roberts, among others will be out to chase him down."

The next round of the Australian CIK Championship will be held at Melbourne's VACC Park on June 26 and 27.

In the opening event on the Rotax Pro Tour it was David Sera who proved too good in the Rotax Light category to take the win over local driver Mark Flood. Jason Pringle continued his impressive run in Rotax Heavy while Luke Rochford won the Formula JMA category.

Sydney Top Gun Racing Academy driver, Nicholas Crawshay showed the field a clean pair of heels to win Rotax Over-35s by 4.3 seconds while Grant Smith won the Open Performance (Rotax DD2) category.

The Rotax Pro Tour continues at Melbourne's VACC Park on June 26 and 27.

-creidt: karting.net.au