Vodafone-backed kart racer Chris Hays has made a sizzling start in the scorching South Australian heat during practice for the opening round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE at the Bolivar Raceway today.
With the mercury reaching 39 degrees, there was no escaping the heat throughout the day, however, this didn’t faze the Gold Coaster who finished on top of the timesheets with a fastest lap time of 34.211 seconds around the iconic 755-metre circuit.
“It’s definitely a turn around from last year, and it feels great to finish the opening day on top of the timesheets,” said Hays.
“From the time we put it on the track for the first session until the end of the fifth session the Energy kart felt very good. Throughout the day we made some changes, some worked and some didn’t, but I think we’ve finished up with a fast and consistent set-up which is what matters most in this style of racing.”
Right on the rear bumper of Hays was Kosmic driver John Grother with a fastest lap time of 34.217 seconds. He was closely followed by local drivers Daniel Price (34.237) and Scott Taylor (34.271) with Queenslander Kyle Ensbey fifth fastest (34.343).
JAM Racing finished the day one-two in the Pro Light (KF1) times with Adam Hughes (34.565) narrowly edging out defending champion Jake Spencer (34.620) throughout the day.
Bolt Pro Racing’s Tyler Greenbury who is attempting a unique double in the Pro Light (KF1) and Pro Gearbox (KZ2) categories finished fifth and sixth fastest respectively in both classes today.
Canberra’s Cameron Hill set the pace in the Pro Junior (KF3) category (35.572) ahead of Victorian Thomas Randle (35.632) and Top Gun Racing protégé Joseph Burton-Harris (35.665).
In the Clubman category for the Yamaha Challenge James Greenwood finished as the fastest driver while Adam Willison (Light) and Michael Griffiths (Heavy) were the pacesetters in the Australian Leopard Challenge.
Qualifying and the heat races will be contested from 9:00am tomorrow ahead of the finals on Sunday.
The Bolivar Raceway is located on Summer Road, Bolivar. Admission is free for spectators.
CIK Stars of Karting Series
Presented by Castrol EDGE
Round 1 – Bolivar Raceway, SA
Practice – Top Five Combined
Pro Light (KF1)
1. Adam Hughes 34.565
2. Jake Spencer 34.620
3. Daniel Rochford 34.687
4. Cian Fothergill 34.732
5. Tyler Greenbury 34.738
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Chris Hays 34.211
2. John Grother 34.217
3. Daniel Price 34.237
4. Scott Taylor 34.271
5. Kyle Ensbey 34.343
Pro Junior (KF3)
1. Cameron Hill 35.572
2. Thomas Randle 35.632
3. Joseph Burton-Harris 35.665
4. Lachlan McHugh 35.683
5. Jake Coleman 35.724
