Australia day racing 2016 kicked off the SA karting season with over 100 entries and provided some spectacular racing at the Bolivar circuit. Host club Southern Go Kart club had their new flag lights on display and by all reports had a successful debut with the new system. Over cast and muggy conditions greeted the quailifiers and with the first of heats complete the weather started to clear to leave perfect racing conditions for all. The new tyre combos were proving difficult for some to get the set up right but others showed that in the off season the practice and testing had paid off with crazy lap times being put on the board.
The cadet 12 class was the most entered and this was the stand out race of the day - front runners Blake Purdie and Arron Oliver were battling hard but in heat 3 they battled a little too hard and both visited the kitty litter and the stewards room and to emerge with both starting the next heat rear of field. Both charging through the 18 kart field cleanly was an awesome sight to see.
KA 3 and 4 classes proved to be hit with a strong field across ages. Even the state President was on the podium with a well earned 3rd place.
Next race on the calendar is at Mt Gambier: 7 February 2016 and then -- Barossa: Doug Liddle/Rod Gardner -20 February 2016-
Cadet 12 Old: Aaron OLIVER - 40.613 New: Blake PURDIE - 39.215 At least half of the field at some stage throughout the day had beaten the old record but it was Blake who ended up with the new record.
KA4 Junior Light Old: Jason BOWYER - 38.221 New: Jack HUTCHINS - 37.555 Similar happened with the Junior Lights with several drivers (Amber, Nikki, Adam to name a few) at some stage beating the old record but it's now Jack's record.
KA4 Junior Heavy Old: Matthew FORRESTER - 40.530 New: Sebastian ZILLANTE - 40.364 Sebastian's first ever race meeting.
KA3 Senior Light Old: Daniel ROCHFORD (Vic) (KT100s) - 36.578 New: Jacob DOWSON - 36.465 Has been a few years since this class (was Clubman Light using KT100s) had run but this year a few juniors stepped up to the senior ranks to make a class.
TaG Restricted 125 Masters Old: Simon BOND - 37.951 New: Darren HOLLIDAY - 37.865