Round 3 of the island karts 'n' parts Tasmanian Leopard Series

Launceston kart Club 5 August 2007.

Heavy midweek rain washed the rubber off the racing line and made the infield wet and muddy. Then rubber laid down during Saturday's practice then got washed away by late afternoon and evening rain. The changing conditions kept pit crews on their toes as they tried to keep up with changing track conditions.

Ben Walter leading Leopard Heavy final

Brilliant winter morning sunshine soon stated drying the track and a puddle in the middle of the back straight received the broom treatment. The track was greasy for the opening combined Light and Heavy Leopard heat, although with a little bit of caution the MG yellow slick tyres offered plenty of grip.

By the time the all important finals came around the track had started to rubber up, providing more grip for the Leopard powered machines.

The Leopard Light final proved to be a clinic by local youngster Steven Wrigley with enthusiastic support from the whole family. Wrigley jumped from pole position into the lead and never looked back.

George Bowe moved past last round winner Jason Wyllie into second place, but could not make an impression on Wrigley's lead. After slow opening laps, Wyllie picked up his pace and shadowed Bowe for the rest of the race.

Steven Wrigley shows Adrain Harper the way through the Waterhole corner

On the last Wyllie made his move under brakes at the end of the long back straight. Bowe tried to fight back through the infield complex only to end up on the outside, as the pair went into the waterhole corner.

There is only one racing line through this difficult fast uphill left hander, and Bowe ran out of room on the outside and ended his race bogged in the woodchips. While the pair squabbled over second, Harley Aitken slipped though to pinch it, leaving Wyllie to claim third.

The resounding win extended Wrigley's lead in the series to 144 points heading to the last round under lights at Smithton in a fortnight's time. A fourth place or better finish will clinch the series for Wrigley even if Wyllie wins.

Ben Walter continued to dominate Leopard Heavy, maintaining his perfect record with another all the way win.

Jason Wyllie leads a pack of Leopards

Once again, Jeff Dickson fared poorly in the combined qualifying heats and spent most of the race working his way to the front of the main pack. Once Dickson managed to clear away from the pack into a clear second position, Walter was too far ahead to challenge.

Dickson's consistent placings leave him 156 points behind Walter in the series standings. Dickson's only hope is a disaster for Walter at the far North West Tasmanian track.

Jared Bishop and Zayne Wyatt are locked in a close battle for third place. For most of the final Wyatt, driving a Kosmic rather his usual Arrow, trailed the battle for third between Jason White and Bishop. In the closing stages Wyatt managed to relegate Bishop to fifth, helping to close the points gap.

island karts'n'parts
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