Kart drivers few but furious in S.I. titles battle

Press, 17 June 1986, Page 22

Kart drivers few but furious in S.I. titles battle

The Christchurch Kart Club was disappointed with the small entry for the 1986 Radio Avon South Island road race titles held at the Ruapuna motor-racing circuit on Saturday. What the meeting lacked in entries was made up by the intense competition in each of the three classes. Murray Davies, with the Woolston Kart Sales vehicle, dominated the lOOcc class, winning all four races in the road championships and the 20-lap Grand Prix. Behind Davies, Shane Drake, Keith Hooper, Nigel Wilkinson, Fred Otte, Grant Clearwater (Gore) and Damon Sayer disputed every heat. Damon French was also in with this group in the early part of the meeting, but was involved In a crash with Clearwater and Hooper in the second heat and took no further part. This group had a tactical battle and in one heat none of the drivers wanted to be in the front, and the field proceeded along the straight at near half speed.

Shane Drake would have finished second overall, but weighed in underweight in the final heat and was disqualified.

The Grand Prix in this class, was raced in similar fashion. Gary Dixon joined the fray for a few laps, but found the competition fierce, and rolled over at the circuit’s hairpin. Graham Stevens, with the

Atlantic Pacific Travel Rotax had no competition In the 125 cc gearbox class and won both the road series and Grand Prix.

The expected challenge from Hawera's Maurice Frost with the Hawera Motor-cycle Centre Yamaha did not eventuate. Frost was plagued with engine problems. Michael Burkhart, also from Hawera, with the Calendar Motor-cycles Suzuki, was pleased with his performance. Burkhart and Russell Nant raced hard all day with Nant just having the edge at the chequered flag. In the Grand Prix, Stevens took off while Nant, Burkhart, and Eric Wood Suzukisponsored Paul Crichton raced for third.

Frost charged past these three, pursuing Stevens. Unfortunately, with Stevens in his sights the motor cried “enough”. Crichton moved into second, followed by Nant and Burkhart. On the last lap, Crichton stopped in the main straight and Burkhart just beat Nant to the line.

The expected challenge from the North Island did not eventuate In the Superkart Class, the three northern drivers hit by engine problems. The title was between Jim Rouse (C.R.C. Chemicals Rotax) and John Hamilton (Goldaire Rotax). Hamilton took the first heat, Rouse the second.

Both heats were hotly disputed with first place being swapped at least three times a lap. In the third heat.

Rouse appeared to have Hamilton’s measure under brakes at the hairpin, and when It looked like it was Rouse’s race he ’ went sideways at the hairpin. The last heat was the decider and Hamilton had to win to take the title. If Rouse won, the title 1 would be shared. Rouse looked all set for the win twice, but he blew It each time with tyre-burning stops at the hairpin, leaving Hamilton to take; his second title in two weeks. A depleted field of six faced the starter for the Grand Prix. Hamilton withdrew as his engine was making ominous noises. Rouse won as he liked. Results (drivers from Christchurch unless otherwise stated): ; Road championships (four heats of six laps):— 100 cu. cm. Yamaha class: Murray Davies 1, Nigel Wilkinson 2, Damon Sayer 3. 125 cu. cm. gearbox class: Graham Stevens 1, Russell Nant 2, Michael Burkhart (Hawera) 3. Superkarts: John Hamilton 1, Jim Rouse 2, Mike Wooley (Auckland), 3. 1 Grand Prix:— 100 cu. cm. Yamaha (20 laps): Davies 1, Grant Clearwater (Gore) 2, Keith Hooper 3- ' ; . 125 cu. cm. gearbox (15 laps); Stevens 1, Burkhart 2, Nant 3.

Superkarts (10 laps): Rouse 1, Wooley 2, Craig MacMorland (Nelson) 3.;