Round 4 of the NSW Superkart club series was held at Eastern Creek on Sunday August 3rd. This event was an absolute cracker for the NSW club, and the racing in the Rotax class was a standout. 5 maxes took to the track with another 2 unavailable for the event. Rotax is gaining momentum in Superkarting in NSW. Anyone standing on the sidelines debating having a crack at this, now is the time to join the party.

Hows this for mind blowing excitement, in 2 of the races, 1 being 16ish kilometre distance, the other 20ish klms. 3 maxes crossed the line within 400th of a second, the other 2 maxes in 300th of a second. It doesn't get any closer, and all this at up to 170klm per hour speeds, and wait for it, no rubbing paint. Ultra clean pure excitement.

Congratulations to Anthony Gattellaro for taking 1st overall for the day in his debut event. Anthony has made the change from sprint racing and just can't believe the fun, the friendship, the cleanness that comes with superkarting. Outstanding driving Anthony, can't wait for  Wakefield in September. 2nd overall for the day was myself and dammmmmmm did it feel good to get back up there!! Many thanks have to go to Alan Dodge for getting HRT back up there, with his work at sorting out the steering issues that have plagued us for the previous 2 rounds. 3rd overall went to Graham Taplin with a solid drive throughout the day. 4th went to Denis Torresan, who was always in the mix. It was unfortunate for Alan Dodge to take 5th as Alan won the first 2 races but stripped gears in the 3rd ended his day. I'm pretty sure a clean sweep was on the cards for Al.

Times were very impressive especially for Alan and Myself. Alan managed a 1.51.87 and I a 1.51.88, Don't blink you'll miss it!!

HRT'S day was as follows.

Qualifying

I took it easy for a few laps as we were scrubbing in a new set of Maxxis HG3s. The steering issues that have given us so many dramas were gone. A 1.56.6 was good enough for 3rd, but Graham and Alan were both low 1.52s, so I'd need to pull the finger out.

Race 1

Rolling starts, something I'm still trying to get used to. Typical, buggered the start again, slipped straight back to 5th and let the chase begin. I climbed back to 3rd, but was happy with how things were going. Al up front in 1st Graeme 2nd, myself 3rd, Dennis 4th, Anthony 5th.

Race 2

Another buggered start and back to 5th, getting used to this!, I chased hard and the kart was feeling good, I felt there was low down problems out of turn 2 and 9, but a boot up the butt by my fiancée and mechanic Shauna soon made me realise I just wasn't  pushing hard enough in those turns. I was in 4th and so close to Dennis coming onto the straight the final time. I sat straight behind his rear and pulled out to slip back into 3rd by the time we reached the line. All positions were the same as race 1

Race 3.

This was a cracker. A shocker start again, chase chase chase, this is becoming a regular event. Over the back of the circuit Alan was pulled over to the side, his race done. this left it close. Graham in front and Dennis in 2nd, braking into turn 9, Dennis got the tiniest of love taps from Anthony, just enough to put it into a spin, Dennis recovered. Then the balance of the race it was a 3 way battle. Anthony snuck by Graham, and the 3 of us sat so close at up to 170 klms per hour for the remaining laps. Coming onto the straight for the final time I got a great run, I was edging closer, if only there was another 100m. This race showed true superkart style, massive speeds, ultra clean, and so exciting for people watching. I don't think anyone breathed at the chequered flag with 400th of a second separating 1st -3rd.

Race 4.

The final. 6 laps this one. Well blow me down I had a great start, I had to, otherwise Shauna would've cleaned me up when we got back in!! Once again the racing was so close, constant nose to tail, fascinating. Anthony was running red hot in 1st, Graham had a spin in turn 2 on the final lap. Unfortunate but I did say a little YEAH YEAH!!. I was so close behind it unsettled my kart around the turn and I washed off a lot of speed to avoid. Anthony was driving off in the distance. I couldn't relax and settle for 2nd as I didn't know where Dennis was. I put the boot in and gave it a red hot go, I couldn't believe coming out of turn 9 I was closing in. I grew a little more balls and went around 11-12 like I've never gone. Low and behold I'm closing in and needed another 100m again. This time we crossed in 300th of a second. Better not blink again!.

A crackerjack round for all and thoroughly entertaining. In the 250Inter class, Sam Zavaglia cleaned up big time. Sam just drove away from the field and was mighty impressive pumping out low 1.30s. Luke Brown put in a stellar drive for 2nd overall in the 250 Inters. Sam Rose took 3rd. John Pellicano took 1st in the 125 G/B class, and was never headed. Ron Ping in his 1st event back since the v8 supercars  took 2nd, with Ian Mash rounding out the 3.Frank Giglio won the 250 NAT class.

The way the rolling starts were conducted at this event was exceptional. Sam Zavaglia and John Pellicano at the front held the speed beautifully to the line which made life a lot easier for us Rotax guys at the back.

Shauna did a magnificent job once again, setting the HRT machine up between races. hands dirty, changing settings, Shauna's excellent.

A few people who deserve a mention are Aleisha Dodge, who ran around all day collecting timesheets for all the drivers, Phil Eggins for his wonderful efforts throughout the day with scrutineering and paperwork. Clint Brown for vehicle recovery and of course Tony and Jane for the fantastic kitchen they put on for the club. Vic Roy from GOLDKART was on hand as well, not only helping Anthony but offering advice to the Rotax guys. Thanks Vic.

Bring on Wakefield Park on September 21. A large Rotax field should be back on hand which should make for another success for the NSW Superkart Club in 2008