The Junior competitor took out the Junior Clubman and Junior National Heavy Championships in fine style – dominating the finals for both classes on his way to victory. He was aiming for his third on the day in the Junior National Light Title Final, however during the course of a last lap lunge, he spun his kart three corners from home and was recorded as a non-finisher.
That paved the way for Victorian, William Hawkes to claim the win, followed by Nikola Mitic and Damon Strongman.
Marquis won the Junior Clubman Title from emerging New South Wales driver, Dimitri Agathos and Queenslander, Mitchell Gee. His Junior National Heavy Championship was won from James Allen and Damon Strongman.
Another South Aussie, in Jordan Murphy, got proceedings underway well for the Southern State, winning the Junior Rotax division in just his first Championship event in the category from Mitchell Gee and pole-sitter, Andrew Kahl – who fought back after being shuffled back to ninth in the early running.
Matthew Wall added to his State Championship trophy cabinet in the Leopard Heavy Final, comprehensively defeating Brendan Nelson and Western Australia’s Brad Fitch. It was the first State Title win and quinella for the brand new Arrow X-2 Chassis.
Sydney-sider, Pierce Lehane took out the Clubman Light final amid moments of insanity during the course of the 16 lap race. Lehane was able to hold strong to take the win in his first major Championship in the class, beating home Matthew Waters and Luke Flynn.
Waters has set himself up nicely for next weekend’s Australian Championships in Darwin by taking out the Senior National category. With three National Titles in the class already, Waters proved dominant beating home fellow Sydney-sider Aaron Borg and Victorian Nicholas Ellen.
The youngest racers in the event, the Cadets category provided some of the best entertainment of the day. Jordyn Sinni, who had been dominant for the weekend was battling for the lead with Jack Doohan before running wide and hitting the tyre barriers hard. This paved the way for Nathan Herne to assume the lead. He and Doohan swapped the lead at will with Queenslander Harrison Hoey keeping the pair honest, before Herne was able to claim the Title from Doohan.
Similarly the Rookies was just as entertaining. Pace-setter, Cooper Murray shadowed West Aussie, Brock Kenny for much of the Final, before a last lap charge ended in the sandtrap, leaving West Aussie Kenny as the winner. This allowed local driver, Kasey Fullwood through to second with Sean Dicker in third. Fullwood had earlier worked her way forward to get past Dicker.
Clubman Heavy was dominated by West Australian veteran, Kip Foster – who would have won his third straight NT Title in the category, however he came in underweight post-race. This handed the win to Queenslander Shay Mayes. Matt Wall was second after having to fight his way through from a poor qualifying performance, whilst V8 Utes regular, Kris Walton finished third.
Ben Stewart proved to be the class of the field in Leopard Light taking a lights to flag victory from Adam Garnaut and Pierce Lehane.
Queenslander, Scott Simpson claimed the 22nd State Championship of his career in Clubman Super Heavy, winning from FA Kart team-mate, Ben McKinlay.
Shane Leahy took out the Clubman Over-40s event from local racer Darren Chilton and West Aussie, Wayne Gough.
All in all, the Northern Territory State Titles proved to be a success once again and has set up the 50th Australian Sprint Karting Championships next weekend at the 1053 metre circuit to be an absolute cracker.
