Third New Zealand Title For Hutton

HUTTON RACING - Media Information

For immediate release

Release UTi 4

17-4-09

For Immediate Release

Third New Zealand Title For Hutton

Winning the Formula Junior title at the 2009 KartSport New Zealand National Sprint Championships presented by Toyota Racing Series in Hamilton over Easter Weekend makes young Auckland karter Arie Hutton the first driver to achieve a National Sprint title in three current junior age group classes, Cadet in 2005, 100cc Junior Restricted Yamaha in 2007 and now Formula Junior.

In fact, if it hadn’t been for a mistake passing under a yellow flag in the Junior 100cc Yamaha final the total would be four titles because the 14-year-old King’s College student was driving his UTi sponsored Tony Kart EVR in both classes.

The televised event was held in good conditions and also celebrated 50 years of KartSport in New Zealand. The Formula Junior class had 15 entries and Junior 100cc Yamaha 34.

Arie’s note book:

Thursday, Testing

"The weather was variable so we only did one run with the KF3 on the EVR and two with the Yamaha on the TS30. Fortunately we had already scrubbed in tyres and carried out testing in the wet and dry a couple of weeks previous. Hamilton is virtually our home track so we were confident with our set ups."

Friday, Day Off

"Friday was spent watching racing and checking out the TRS display while Dad and Stuart swapped the KF3 for the Yamaha on the EVR. Double shifting the chassis meant more work for the team but I really like the EVR!"

Saturday, Junior Yamaha

"A good run in Q1 for second place just behind Daniel Kinsman. A few adjustments for Q2 however our #1 engine suffered a big end bearing failure climbing the hill on lapfive and destroyed itself. Dad was a bit upset as it was his favourite Yamaha. With no improvement in time it meant the unfavoured grid two for the heats. The back up engine was very strong however and Dan and I had a good battle in heat 1. I led laps eight and nine but was just a fraction back at the finish. With Dan winning heat 1 and having won qualifying there was no sense in fighting in heat 2 so I followed Dan all the way. I tried pretty hard to win in the pre final and get pole for the final however despite leading for four laps during the race, Dan was just ahead over the finish line. Damn, grid two on the outside again into turn one for the Final. I dropped back to fifth while Dan led from pole. On lap two I set up a pass to fourth on Paul Blomqvist into Club House corner, however I missed the yellow flag. If only I had seen it and waved Paul back by. We had the pace and 18 laps left to catch Dan. The race soon developed into another close one with Dan. I led lap 13 and Hayden Pedersen was right behind waiting to take advantage of any opportunity. Unfortunately for Hayden he had an engine problem with about five laps to go so it was just Dan and I battling for the lead which I took at the beginning of lap 18 and held to the chequered flag. However after the race we accepted a DQ for the yellow flag incident and retired to the tent where the Tony Kart Team NZ helped fit the KF3 to the EVR ready for Sunday. Congratulations to Dan for adding the Junior Yamaha title to his 2008 Formula Junior title."

Sunday, Formula Junior

"The EVR feels even better with the KF3 fitted and we blitzed Q1 by nearly half a second to take pole. The rest of the day was spent focussing on good starts and leading from the front to win all the races. In the final we managed to go quicker than in qualifying with a best lap of 39.399 (lap 12). It was good to see more new KF3’s in the field at this event.

A big thanks to Stuart Park for preparing the engines and working on the chassis and to mum and dad, Gary Wilson, Darren Biggs and all the members of Tony Kart Team NZ for their help and encouragement over the weekend. Also of course thanks to UTi for their ongoing support."

The Junior 100cc Yamaha final will screen on TV1 Powerbuilt Motorsport on Sunday 19th April at 3pm.

The Formula Junior final will screen later in the year on Sky Sport.

Arie’s next major events are:

Auckland Region Schools Championships Auckland 19-4-09

Formula S Series Round 1 Bay of Plenty 25/26-4-09

Formula S Series Round 2 Auckland 23/24-5-09

Ends

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