Jurczak Dominates Opening Day At Rotax Nationals

26 September 2009

Queenslander Ben Jurczak continued his dominance of the Formula JMA category with a scintillating performance during the opening day of action for the Rotax Nationals at Sydney’s Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway today.

Jurczak, who is the current Victorian and Queensland Champion in the category, qualified on pole position by more than two-tenths of a second in his Redspeed kart ahead of local driver Max Johnstone and CRG pocket rocket Pierce Lehane.

Unfortunately for Jurczak he encountered an electrical issue in heat three but he will still start near the front of the field in tomorrow’s pre-final.

“My Redspeed kart is certainly working well, ever since we put it on the track yesterday it has been very fast, the only real hiccup has been the electrical mishap in heat three,” said Jurczak.

“While it is disappointing not to win all three races, at least it was today rather than tomorrow and I should still be starting somewhere near the front tomorrow. The pre-final and final are two long races so anything can happen, hopefully I can keep out of trouble and finish on the podium.”

Defending Rotax Light Champion David Sera secured his third pole position at the Rotax Nationals ahead of Daniel Rochford.

In the opening heat it was local driver David Whitmore who took the honours after a race long battle with Sera and CRG pilot Jason Hryniuk. He then continued this form throughout the day and will start from pole position aboard his Kosmic kart in tomorrow’s pre-final.

Victorian Jason Pringle has been the pacesetter in the Rotax Heavy division but you can never discount the man who has been shadowing Pringle throughout the day – Matthew Wall. Unfortunately for two-time defending Champion Kel Treseder he endured a rollover during the second qualifying session and also crashed out of the second heat.

In the non-championship categories Gerry Brookes is dominating the Over 35 category while Brinley Gread is setting the pace in the Open Performance (DD2) category.

The Pre-Finals and Championship Finals will be contested tomorrow.