Sproston is SuperKart Champ for a Second Time

02-03-06

Meeting Review

Sproston is SuperKart Champ for a Second Time

Wellington's Wayne Sproston successfully defended his 2005 New Zealand SuperKart International class title at the 2006 KartSport New Zealand National Superkart Championship and Grand Prix meeting at the Taupo Motor Racing Circuit last weekend.

The Wellington man, who is also the reigning North Island Superkart International class champion, proved too good for fastest qualifier and South Island champion Paul Dunlop, who finished second.

Dunlop was the first to dip into the 36 second bracket in qualifying, claiming pole position with a new benchmark time for the class of 36.810, but Sproston, who limbered up for this year's Nationals with a winning performance at the Taupo track at the Karts 'n Cars meeting in early January, came back after an electrical problem in the first heat to win the other three and keep the trophy for another year.

Consolation for Dunlop, who had made the long trip up to Taupo from his home in Clydevale, near Balclutha, came in the form of a new outright track lap record - 36.711.

Third overall after a second place finish behind Dunlop in the first heat and a pair of thirds and a fourth in the others was Wellington's Gerard Braakhuis.

2005 title-holder Nelson's Robin Wooldridge got the better both of fastest qualifier Ryan Urban and his sister Melissa Urban in the National class, winning the first three heats then sitting out the fourth heat, which Ryan Urban won from Aucklanders Darren Waugh and Daniel Bray.

Ryan Urban ended up second overall with Waugh third, but won the 25 lap Open Grand Prix from Bray and another Aucklander, Kevin Varney.

In the Rotax Max categories, young Auckland driver Simon Evans won his first National title in Rotax Max Light, winning the first three heats after some very close racing, an outstanding performance on his long circuit debut.

Second overall in the Light (165 kg) category was Taranaki's Hamish Scott, third Hawke's Bay's Gareth Playle.

In the Heavy (185 kg) category South Island and 2005 New Zealand champion Simon Hunter was the man to beat, winning the first three heats as he liked. Second was fellow South Islander Ralph Godwin, who in Hunter's absence won the fourth heat and third was Rex McDonald.

The Rotax Max Grand Prix was closely contested throughout by Evans, Hunter (running in Light class) and Jay Waugh. Waugh was first over the line however he was eliminated from the results following technical inspection. This gave the GP win to Hunter with Evans second and Scott third.

ENDS

2005 National Superkart Championships and Grand Prix Taupo Motor Racing Circuit Taupo Saturday/Sunday February 5/6

Provisional results
International
Heat 1: 1. Paul Dunlop 7.27.822; 2. Gerard Braakhuis +9.979; 3. Glen Tremain +19.015.
Heat 2: 1. Sproston 7.26.087; 3. Dunlop +0.229; 3. Braakhuis +14.773
Heat 3: 1. Sproston 7.30.656; 2. Dunlop +0.101; 3. Braakhuis +20.940.
Heat 4: 1. Sproston 7.29.331; 2. Dunlop +0.116;3. Glen Tremain +25.691
Overall: 1. Sproston 3 points; 2. Dunlop 5; 3. Braakhuis 8

National
Heat 1: 1. Robin Wooldridge 7.44.810; 2. Melissa Urban +2.592; 3. Darren Waugh +8.784;
Heat 2: 1. Wooldridge 7.42.115; 2. Ryan Urban +3.142; 3. Melissa Urban +9.90
Heat 3: 1. Wooldridge7.40.009; 2. Ryan Urban +0.053; 3. Waugh +14.151
Heat 4: 1. Ryan Urban 7.51.83; 2. Waugh +3.462; 3. Daniel Bray (Auckland) +5.209
Overall: 1. Robin Wooldridge 3 points; Ryan Urban 5; Waugh 8.

Rotax Max Light
Heat 1: 1. Simon Evans 8.35.450; 2. Hamish Scott +0.150; 3. Donna Less +3.562
Heat 2: 1. Evans 8.33.274; 2. Scott +0.231; 3. Michael Grimshaw (Auckland) +4.062
Heat 3: 1. Evans 8.34.856; 2. Gareth Playle +3.508; 3. Mathew Newport +3.591
Heat 4: 1. Scott 8.36.824; 2. Playle +0.041; 3. Newport +0.406
Overall: 1. Evans 3 points; 2. Scott 5; 3. Playle 10.

Rotax Max Heavy
Heat 1: 1. Simon Hunter 8.46.821; 2. Ralph Godwin +6.701; 3. Rex McDonald +17.168
Heat 2: 1 Hunter 8.46.083; 2. Godwin +0.605; 3. McDonald +15.208
Heat 3: 1. Hunter 8.44.529; 2. Godwin +3.838; 3. Warren Horner-Pascoe +18.082
Heat 4: 1. Godwin 8.54.794; 2. McDonald +14.023l 3. Pascoe-Horner +14.387
Overall: 1. Hunter 3 points; 2. Godwin 5; 3. McDonald 8
(Result subject to appeal)

Open Grand Prix (25 laps)
1. Ryan Urban 16.03.580; 2. Daniel Bray +23.649; 3. Kevin Varney +28.847

Rotax Grand Prix (25 laps)
1. Simon Hunter 17.57.874; 2. Simon Evans +0.033; 3. Hamish Scott +0.129
(Result subject to appeal)

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