Adrenalin was pumping in the last race of the Thirsty Whale North Island Sprint Championships on Sunday 23 October. Hawkes Bay Karter Zach Zaloum zoomed raced around his home track to defend North Island Rotax Max Heavy class title.
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Crowds lined the track as Zaloum drove to victory, not only was he about to become North Island Champ for the second consecutive year but he was about to become the only karter to ever back up the Rotax Max Heavy title in the 55 plus years of Karting in New Zealand.
Zaloum had a nightmare of a race on Saturday in his Yamaha Heavy class, after winning the pre final by over half a straight to gain pole position for the final he was taken out by Australian driver Lane Moore on the first corner, which sent the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Its understandable that when Zaloum was off 2 for the final of Rotax Max Heavy on Sunday and Lane Moore of pole nerves were again high amongst spectators who lined the track, however Zaloum held composure and didnt falter in the 24 lap race and took victory in front of his home crowd.
It was a great race said Zaloum moments after coming into the pits, "once I passed Lane I knew that he would be right on my tail I to keep calm and really focus on the task at hand, complete every lap without faulting"
"We had the kart set up perfectly' said the Supreme Kart Supplies sponsored driver and thats thanks to Maurice and Zaloums Father Wayne who did all the mechanics over the weekend.
With the kart set up correctly and a talented driver Zaloum also blitzed the current lap record for Rotax Max Heavy which he has held since July 2011.
Zaloum was the only Hawkes Bay driver to have a successful finish at the North Island Championships over Labour Weekend.
