Photo: Andy SchofieldYoung guns Andy Schofield and Daniel Kinsman spearheaded a strong youth charge at the opening round of this year's Right Karts Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand in Palmerston North on Saturday.
The pair, both former winners of the Arai Junior Max class, dominated the premier Motorex Rotax Max Light class at the annual day/night Kart 'n The Dark meeting at KartSport Manawatu's Manawatu Toyota Raceway, Aucklander Kinsman topping the time sheets in Qualifying and winning the the two Heats and Pre-Final, but Cambridge driver Schofield prevailing in the 24-lap Final.
Third was the first of the class's old hands, top local driver Andrew Hoare, fourth two-time former class winner and New Zealand representative Ryan Urban and fifth Kinsman's older brother Matthew.
Urban did well to work his way back into the top six after struggling with an engine issue in qualifying but fellow former class winner Paul Cameron was not so lucky, ending his Final at the side of the track after losing a chain.
Youth also ended up triumphing over experience in the Strata Networks's Rotax Max Heavy with Kiwi-born Queensland young gun Lane Moore beating class stalwart Aarron Cunningham in the Final.
'Drive-of-the-race' honours, however, belonged to defending series champion Hamish Cross, who made his way from the back of the grid (after failing to finish the Pre-Final) to third place at the flag.
Fellow South Islander Scott Manson completed an even more spectacular feat in the Arai Junior Max class, working his way from the back row of the grid to the front in the Final to complete the Rotax category's only clean sweep, with Aucklanders Shaun Grocock and Reid Harker second and third respectively and local driver Josh Drysdale fourth.
Saturday's opening series round attracted a 60+ field of drivers across the three Rotax Max classes with racing held in hot, dry conditions in front of a large and appreciative crowd.
The season-opener in Palmerston North was the first of six rounds of this year's Right Karts Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge with subsequent events to be held at Tokoroa, Te Puke, Auckland, Hamilton and KartSport Rotorua's new track in the Mamaku Ranges.
Motorex Rotax Max Light
1. Andy Schofield 18:06.852; 2. Daniel Kinsman +0.570; 3. Andrew Hoare +8.014; 4. Ryan Urban +12.837; 5. Mathew Kinsman +14.699; 6. Mason Armstrong +14.896.
Fastest lap: Daniel Kinsman 44.717
Strata Networks Rotax Max Heavy
1. Lane Moore 18:42.832; 2. Aarron Cunningham +0.779; 3. Hamish Cross +3.538; 4. Shane Hodgson +4.740; 5. Scott Fountain +7.079; 6. Stuart Gould +11.951.
Fastest lap: Hamish Cross 46.119
Arai Junior Max
1. Scott Manson 18:20.492; 2. Shaun Grocock +2.781; 3. Reid Harker +4.221; 4. Josh Drysdale +4.741; 5. Rhys Tinney +6.500; 6. Logan Rogers-Jenkins +15.369.
Fastest lap: Scott Manson 45.029
