With over 70 entries across six classes at the opening round in Palmerston North over the weekend the annual WPKA Goldstar kart series is in good heart.

“It’s certainly a very satisfying beginning to our year, says WPKA (Wellington Provincial Karting Association) President Wayne Zaloum. “The hard work done by the clubs in encouraging their members to participate in this series has obviously paid off. This long running series is the first step after club competition and we look forward to providing a fun experience around the circuits of the lower North Island.”

While the weather hadn’t been favorable throughout practice the previous day it all looked good by the time the Cadet class rolled out the gate for the first race of the day on Sunday morning. The 6-12 year-olds didn’t disappoint either with a different race winner in each of the five heats. Jason Rooney secured the win from Tom Grieg by one point with newly crowned North Island champion Callum Hedge third out of the nineteen entered.

In the Senior classes, top local driver Brendon Hart won 125cc Rotax Max Light from senior newcomer Jack Bridgeman with Ben Thom third. All were tied on the same points and could only be split when the countback went down to their discarded heat result.

Lunch had been taken following the third heat of the 125cc Rotax Max Light class but before the eighteen Junior 100cc Yamaha entrants getting the day underway again the pitter-patter of rain drops announced the biggest question of the day, how wet will it get?

‘Very’ was the answer, with torrential rain and even some hail. Unfortunately, some of the drivers didn’t make it out the gate while others – on slick tyres – didn’t make the start. It was all in a day’s work for Maddie Wise though who dominated the race and the class to win the round. James Webb finished second overall ahead of Matt Podjursky in third.

Henri Ham led home Derek Lawrence and Brent Robinson in ClubSport 120, another class with five different heat winners.

There was also intense competition in Junior Restricted 100cc Yamaha though Kaleb Ngatoa’s five wins ensured it was all for the minor placings. Bayley Walker was the best of the rest from Rianna Omeara-Hunt, who was tied with Josh Donohue but secured third by countback.

Last year’s Yamaha Light champion Brad Still carried his form over to easily win the day in that class from Jaden Hardy and Hamish Berrett.

In the GP races wins went to Tom Grieg (Cadet), Kaleb Ngatoa (Junior Restricted) and Brendon Jury (Junior Yamaha).

That just left the Senior title race. Dominic Crossman got away to a flyer but he was slowly drawn in and passed by Brendon Hart – who had come from the back of the grid – and Ben Thom. However Hart and Thom collided and retired leaving Crossman clear of Aaron Marr (1st Yamaha) and Scott Williams.

This summer’s WKPA Goldstar Series is supported by  Maurice Frost and the team at Supreme Kart Supplies as well as  Right Karts, Napier Collision Repair, Kiwi Karts, Manawatu Toyota, ORG and Refined Concrete & Flooring.

WPKA Gold Star Round 2 is at KartSport Taranaki’s Todd Energy Raceway on December 2nd. For more information go to www.wpka.org.nz