Second-generation racer Thomas Randle continued his strong run of form to claim his maiden win in the Castrol EDGE CIK Stars of Karting Series in Sydney on Sunday.
Over the past 12 months, Randle has rocketed towards becoming one of the country’s top young junior drivers and his Pro Junior (KF3) round win at Eastern Creek has cemented his place in the elite group of junior drivers.
The FA Kart driver became the third different round winner of 2012 and broke Cameron Hill’s run of victories in the Pro Junior (KF3) ranks by winning both 25-lap main events at Eastern Creek.
Randle opened up a gap over the field early in the race before being chased down and pressured by Hill late in the race. While close enough to pressure, Hill was never close enough to mount a serious challenge as Randle claimed a clean sweep of the finals.
“Last round I blew an engine in the pre-final and had to start last, but this round everything went to plan and got to front then managed to hold it,” said Randle.
“It feels great to be standing up here on the podium – let alone on the top step!”
Hill’s second place, and mechanical issues for his title rivals, has provided him a handy buffer in the chase for the Jon Targett trophy.
Behind the leading duo, there was a titanic battle for the final place on the podium with Brock Plumb, Lachlan McHugh, Lachlan Gibbons and James Abela. In the end it was Plumb who claimed third by the narrowest of margins ahead of McHugh.
Patrizicorse driver Kyle Ensbey continued his love affair with the Eastern Creek circuit by claiming his second win in as many visits to the Sydney venue aboard a Pro Gearbox (KZ2) machine. The Queenslander, who also regained the championship lead as a result of his victory, finished ahead of Formula K Australia driver Lee Mitchener and CRG driver Tyler Greenbury.
Behind Greenbury came Chris Hays and Jason Pringle, who now sit second and third in the chase for the John Pizarro Trophy awarded to the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Champion.
Former Series Champion Cian Fothergill put in a sterling drive on his way to the Pro Light (KF1) victory.
After being forced onto the sidelines in the opening 25-lap encounter, the Kosmic Racing Australia driver charged his way from the last row on the grid to secure victory in the second final.
Courtesy of his victory, Fothergill’s name will be the first that will be etched on the Franco Guiatoli Memorial Shield.
Behind Fothergill, his Kosmic counterpart Daniel Rochford also charged through the field to finish runner-up with reigning champion Jake Spencer ensuring that the Italian-made chassis dominated the podium.
The fifth, and final, round of Australia’s elite karting championship will be contested at the Port Melbourne Karting Complex in Victoria on September 22/23.
2012 CIK Stars of Karting Series
presented by Castrol EDGE
Round 4 of 5 – Eastern Creek, NSW
RESULTS: Top Five
PRO LIGHT (KF1)
1. Cian Fothergill (Gladstone, QLD) – Kosmic/IAME
2. Daniel Rochford (Narre Warren, Vic) – Kosmic/IAME
3. Jake Spencer (Wantirna, Vic) – Kosmic/IAME
4. Adam Hughes (Mentone, Vic) – Kosmic/IAME
5. Matthew Waters (Horsley Park, NSW) – Kosmic/IAME
PRO GEARBOX (KZ2)
1. Kyle Ensbey (Sunshine Coast, QLD) – Top Kart/TM
2. Lee Mitchener (Greensborough, Vic) – Formula K/Maxter
3. Tyler Greenbury (Toowoomba, QLD) – CRG/Maxter
4. Chris Hays (Gold Coast, QLD) – Energy/TM
5. Jason Pringle (Essendon, Vic) – CRG/Maxter
PRO JUNIOR (KF3)
1. Thomas Randle (Narre Warren, Vic) – FA Kart/Vortex
2. Cameron Hill (Canberra, ACT) – Top Kart/Vortex
3. Brock Plumb (Forrest Lake, QLD) – Arrow/Vortex
4. Lachlan McHugh (Gold Coast, QLD) – Intrepid/Vortex
5. Lachlan Gibbons (Kings Langley) – Kosmic/Vortex
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – Top Five after round 4 of 5
PRO LIGHT (KF1)
1. Adam Hughes 510
2. Daniel Rochford 501
3. Jake Spencer 476
4. Cian Fothergill 469
5. Joseph Mawson 431
PRO GEARBOX (KZ2)
1. Kyle Ensbey 498
2. Chris Hays 485
3. Jason Pringle 479
4. Tyler Greenbury 467
5. Lee Mitchener 438
PRO JUNIOR (KF3)
1. Cameron Hill 535
2. Jake Coleman 473
3. Brock Plumb 458
4. Joseph Burton-Harris 452
5. Thomas Randle 437
