Ford KartStars Round two Geelong qualifying summary

Another Pirtek pole

14 June, 2003 - While Marcus Ambrose continues to set the pace in the V8 Supercar Championship Pirtek Ford KartStars driver John Martin claimed his career first pole position today at Geelong in the second round of the Ford KartStars Series.

The 18-year-old Queenslander upstaged the field to set the 760 metre circuit alight with a 32.863 second circulation during the first qualifying session.

"It is pleasing that our pace is finally beginning to show some good results and what is even more pleasing that I was consistently fast, not just one fast lap," commented Martin following qualifying.

While Martin elected to sit out the second qualifying session Adrian "Hollywood" Estasy stopped the clocks at a mere 0.26 of a second behind Martin during the session for second place on the grid.

Behind the leading duo came KartWorks driver Luke Wood, Josh Arandt and Taz Douglas.

At the start of the opening heat Martin simply bolted from the field to open a handy lead over Estasy who had slotted himself into second.

While Martin held on for his maiden KartStars heat victory Estasy held on for second after a race long battle with Wood.

After qualifying 7th Pre-race favourite, Andrew Thompson dropped to fourteenth during the early running before climbing back into contention late in the race to finish 4th.

Behind Thomspon followed Tim Blanchard who lead a freight train of up to 10 karts. Jack Perkins was also a big mover in the opening heat charging through the pack from his 22nd qualifying starting position to finish 12th.

Starting from the outside front row Estasy grabbed the lead at the start of heat two ahead of Martin and Thompson. Shortly after Thomspon moved past Martin into second.

On lap 4 Thompson took over the front running to then hold on for the victory. Late in the race Estasy appeared to close on Thompson but settled for second.

"I would have loved to have won the heat but the main aim is to get the points tomorrow. The kart really came on strong which fills me full of confidence for tomorrow's longer races," said the English born Estasy.

Behind the leading trio Jason Varley, Ben Savage, Taz Douglas, Reif Corbett and Josh Aarandt were engaged in a titanic battle for the fourth through to eighth position. Tim Blanchard set the third fastest lap of the race to finish 8th ahead of Tim Blanchard and the Gas Works' Nick Parker.

The action will continue at Geelong's Beckley Park tomorrow with the final 12-lap heat race, Pre-Final and 23-lap Final.

The Geelong Karting Circuit is located at Beckley Park, Geelong Road Corio adjacent to the Geelong trotting track approximately 5 kilometres north of Geelong. <pre> Ford KartStars Round Two -- Top 10 Heat One 1. 4 John Martin -- Pirtek, Wurth Australia 2. 12 Adrian Estasy -- Sydney Laundry and Dry Cleaning service 3. 17 Luke Wood -- Kartworks, Thorndon Plastering 4. 62 Andrew Thompson -- Fuchs Silkolene 5. 18 Tim Blanchard -- Jayair, Castrol 6. 92 Taz Douglas -- Douglas Earthmoving 7. 10 Jason Varley -- Phillips Foote Restaurant, Sik FX 8. 21 Ben Savage -- www.nkn.com.au, Panasonic, INXS 9. 66 Reif Corbett -- Panasonic, INXS 10. 33 Nick Parker -- Gasworks, Just Toyota

Ford KartStars Round Two -- Top 10 Heat Two 1. 62 Andrew Thompson -- Fuchs Silkolene 2. 12 Adrian Estasy -- Sydney Laundry and Dry Cleaning service 3. 46 John Martin -- Pirtek, Wurth Australia 4. 10 Jason Varley -- Phillips Foote Restaurant, Sik FX 5. 21 Ben Savage -- www.nkn.com.au, Panasonic, INXS 6. 92 Taz Douglas -- Douglas Earthmoving 7. 66 Reif Corbett -- Panasonic, INXS 8. 1 Josh Arandt -- CC Racing, Garden Aspects 9. 18 Tim Blanchard -- Jayair, Castrol 10. 33 Nick Parker -- Gasworks, Just Toyota

-fks-