Wet conditions for much of the day in Newcastle have made things difficult for Australia’s leading karters in the penultimate round of the Castrol EDGE CIK Stars of Karting today.

17-time national Champion, David Sera has been the dominant force in the six speed gearbox KZ2 category. He was given a free kick this morning when Championship leader and arch rival Joey Hanssen had his qualifying times disqualified for an on-track indiscretion forcing him to start from the rear.

Sera won all three races whilst Hanssen elevated himself to the top 10, Kel Treseder was another forced to start from the rear. His poor day was compromised further when he wrote off a chassis in an opening heat startline collision.

From there he was able to work his way forward in the remaining races.

Round one winner Kyle Ensbey kept the heat firmly on Sera with a trio of second places.

In KF2, Sydney racer Nathan Tigani has had the pace to dominate. The first heat, held in the heaviest rain seen for some time at Newcastle International Kartway saw Tigani lead by around nine seconds before the chain came adrift from his PCR chassis. He made amends by winning the remaining two races in convincing fashion.

Harrington Doyle Racing Arrow Karts pilot Scott Sorensen showed good speed to charge through the field after dramas in the qualifying session. His team-mate Jarryd Ebzery put in a strong charge as well, being towards the front of the pack for much of the day. Championship leaders Troy Loeskow and Matthew Waters both encountered DNFs throughout the day that will certainly have Championship implications.

In the KF3 ranks Zane Morse won the opening two heat races to continue his mid-season charge towards the top of the championship standings. He will start from pole position in tomorrow’s opening 25-lap final.

Freem Fastest qualifier Jayden Ojeda won the final heat ahead of Karting World’s Andrew Kahl while Aaron Cameron’s consistency will see him line up alongside Morse tomorrow morning.

In the TAG 125 Light Monaco driver Daniel Rochford was the pacesetter while David Whitmore claimed a trio of top three finishes. Brendan Nelson will start on pole position in tomorrow’s TAG 125 Heavy pre-final with fellow Queenslander Gaven Whitmore alongside.

Series leader Jack Doohan qualified on pole position in the Rookies but a mechanical issue prior to the start left him to watch on as Zac Crichton took the win.

Lady racer Melissa Whitmore qualified fastest and won the opening heat of Restricted 125 Light.

Fine weather conditions are predicted for tomorrow’s extended finals at the Newcastle Kartway, Cameron Park Drive, Cameron Park.

Tomorrow, all of the action will be live and exclusive on Speedcafe from 8:30am at the link www.speedcafe.com/kartinglive/.