The penultimate round of the Australian Kart Championship at Newcastle Kartway got underway in fine conditions today, however a number of Title contenders are in soul searching mode after a difficult opening day.

KZ2 Championship leader Jake Klarich had to watch the majority of the second heat from the sidelines after an airbox bracket failure brought him to a standstill. Other KZ2 Title contenders to strike trouble included Troy Woolston and Chris Hayes who collided at turn one of the second heat – Woolston spectacularly flying two metres into the air.

It was a Team CRG benefit with last round winner Jason Pringle being dominant in both heat races. He had good back up in the form of Kyle Ensbey – who’s never finished off the podium in a KZ2 event held in New South Wales – and Jaie Robson – who is looking to make amends for last round’s failure on home soil.

Brendan Nelson struck trouble in KA TaG. After winning the first heat, a trouble in arriving at the grid for the second saw him start his Arrow from the back. He scythed his way forward to finish 13th at the end of the race – however Brad Jenner won the race in his BirelART and Title leader, Adam Lindstrom is looking strong having made the top three.

Jenner was also involved in the race of the day in X30. After James Sera took a comfortable win in the opening heat, he didn’t have it all his own way in heat two. Ben Stewart made the best of the outside front row start and held the lead right to the finish, however it wasn’t without Sera and Jenner both having stabs at his lead.

The Queenslander is showing good form after recently qualifying on pole for a SKUSA TaG event – ironically in New Castle in Indiana – his fellow banana bending Arrow pilot, Adam Mercer was a surprise pole-sitter.

FA Kart-mounted Sera is another doing double duty in KA1 this weekend and this Title is heading towards an interesting conclusion. His Championship rival, Justin Francis (Haase) took the first heat, before the multiple Australian Champion struck back in heat two. Dean O’Brien edged past Francis for second.

In KF3 – Championship leader Reece Sidebottom has shown that he wants to lay the gauntlet down for the elite Junior Championship after one of the most dominant performances of season 2015. He was able to get home by over three seconds in the end. Second place fell the way of Alec Morse, the younger of the Tony Kart driving Morse brothers from Canberra. He had a great battle with fellow 2015 debutante, Cody Brewcynski. The Redspeed driver held second spot for much of the race and with Troy Hunt in his corner will be a force to be reckoned with in tomorrow’s final.

The 73-point lead Jack Doohan holds in KA Junior is looking ever secure with the Queenslander finishing second in today’s heat one. It was a tough battle throughout the race with Sydneysider Benito Montalbano taking his PCR Kart to his first Australian Kart Championship heat race win.

Broc Feeney crossed the line in third placing, however was later rubbed out for being underweight allowing Ipswich winner Jordan Caruso to finish third.

Young South Aussie Zanardi Kart racer, Blake Purdie had a breakout first win in KA12. It was a tough fight in the late afternoon sun at Newcastle, however the youngster – who has been aiming up for a big performance since round one – was able to position himself perfectly for tomorrow’s proceedings. Cooper Webster got home in second and Connor Davison in third.

Tomorrow, all of the Australian Kart Championship presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE action will be covered in the live video stream at www.karting.net.au.