KARTSPORT NEW ZEALAND

Media Release

For immediate release

 

    Round 4 (Final)

    Hamilton

 

04-08-06

 

 

Auckland's Mitchell Evans made the final round of the 2006 Top Half kart series at Hamilton's RV Wholesale Supplies Raceway his own with a clean sweep in the Junior 100cc Yamaha Restricted class.

 

The result was the only 'perfect score' on another intensely competitive day though Kane Taylor came close in Rotax Max Light, winning four heats but conceding the Final to day runner-up Simon Evans.

 

Over 100 karters from all over the upper North Island converged on the Hamilton Kart Club's RV Wholesale Supplies Raceway for the much anticipated final round of the annual Top Half series.

 

In the Senior classes Open was a four-way battle amongst Dan Smith, NZ F125S #1 Jason Lee, eventual overall series winner Daniel Kent, and NZ ICC#1 Ryan Grant with Smith securing the round win despite finishing sixth in the Final, a race won by Lee with Auckland's Tim Hartley second and Ryan Grant third.

 

Overall however, it was the consistent Daniel Kent who claimed the series top spot from Lee and another young Aucklander, Michael Wheaton.

 

Kane Taylor made the early running in Rotax Max Light, winning the first heat from P6 on the grid and the third from P7, but Simon Evans was always a factor, twice finishing second in the heats then winning the final from Taylor and Mike Male.

 

Consolation for Taylor was the series win, from Whangarei's Charles Hoare and Simon Evans

 

The Bay of Plenty's Stuart Gould was the winner in Rotax Max Heavy on the day but the series title went to Hamilton's Phillip Saunders who finished fourth on the day behind Gould, Brent Murgatroyd and Simon Saxon.

 

Another Bay of Plenty driver, Jason Catley, won Senior 100cc Yamaha Light on the day, from Auckland's Deon Forrest and Tokoroa's Bradley Tyrrell, but it was Tyrrell who claimed the series title from Auckland's Ben Dallas - who finished fifth at Hamilton - and Hamilton's Matt Bambery.

 

Senior 100cc Yamaha Heavy was a benefit for Auckland's Kendall brothers, with Leyton claiming both round and series honours. On the day brother Dion finished second from Hamilton's Clinton Fell and Auckland's Brad Curtin, but overall Leyton Kendall was the winner from Aucklanders Stuart Marshall and Arron Cunningham.

 

In the Junior classes, Aucklander James Stead's good recent run continued with round victory in Junior 100cc Yamaha from Daniel Dufty and David Meszaros. Series victory however went to Mathew Kinsman from Stead and and Graeme Smyth.

 

The day placings in Junior Yamaha  were reversed in Formula Junior with Daniel Dufty claiming round honours from Stead and Nelson's Brett Sullivan, and overall series honours from Sullivan and Aucklander John Lovich.

 

The aforementioned Mitchell Evans dominated Junior 100cc Yamaha Restricted on the day, winning the round from Daniel Kinsman and Nick Cassidy, the latter starting rear of field all day because he had not competed at previous series rounds.

 

That didn't stop him getting as high as second in the the fourth heat and third in the Final, some achievement in what is at the moment the closest fought and most intensely competitive Junior class.

 

In terms of overall series placings the round win at Hamilton elevated Mitchell Evans to the top spot with Christchurch's Chris Cox second and Auckland's Arie Hutton third.

 

To Cadet and a win in the Final gave Shaun Grocock the round win from Aaron Wilson and Callum Quinn but it was Paul Blomqvist, who finished fifth on the day, who claimed the series title from CJ Sinclair and Grocock.

 

Ends

 

1. Shaun Grocock; 2. Aaron Wilson; 3. Callum Quinn

1. James Stead; 2. Daniel Dufty; 3. David Meszaros

1. Daniel Dufty; 2. James Stead; 3. Brett Sullivan

1. Jason Catley; 2. Deon Forrest; 3. Bradley Tyrrell

1. Leyton Kendall; 2. Dion Kendall; 3. Clinton Fell

1. Kane Taylor; 2. Simon Evans; 3. Charles Hoare

1. Stuart Gould; 2. Brent Murgatroyd; 3. Simon Saxon

1. Dan Smith; 2. Jason Lee; 3. Daniel Kent.