Top Kart driver Joseph Mawson has turned up the heat on his opposition in the chase for the Jon Targett trophy in the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE in Newcastle today.

Mawson, who sat 30 points adrift of championship leader Pierce Lehane entering this weekend’s penultimate round, was the dominant driver all throughout today’s qualifying and heat race action in the Pro Junior (KF3) category.

“It was a great day today, you can’t ask for much better than today’s results,” said Mawson.

“They’re (his opposition) starting to get quicker and heat three wasn’t as easy as the opening two but I think I’ve still got a little bit more left in the bag for tomorrow’s longer races.

“There’s a lot of tyre conservation needed here, so I’m trying to conserve as much as I can – hopefully this will pay off for tomorrow’s finals.”

Also in scintillating form today was reigning Pro Light (KF1) champion Cian Fothergill.

Fothergill set the pace from the outset with a sensational lap during qualifying before backing this up in the top five shootout and securing comfortable victories in all three heat races.

In the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) ranks the action came thick and fast throughout the day. Top Kart driver Macauley Jones secured the maiden pole position of his career before a clutch issue ended his opening heat on lap one. He showed true class in the remaining two heats on his way to victory and as a result will start fifth in tomorrow morning’s opening final.

Vodafone-backed Tony Kart driver Chris Hays had a trouble-free day and as a result will start on pole position tomorrow morning with fellow Queenslander Tyler Greenbury alongside.

The second row of the grid tomorrow morning will be filled by Jordie Lindstron and Troy Woolston ahead of Jones and David Sera, who failed to finish heat one due to an engine issue. Championship leader Scott Taylor will start seventh.

There will be a pair of 25-lap finals top be held tomorrow for each of the three Pro categories tomorrow.