The ‘Big Guns’ of New Zealand’s KZ2 category, including 2018 International KZ2 Super Cup runner-up Daniel Bray, head the largest entry this year at the final round of the 2018 Molecule ProKart Series in Hamilton this weekend.
Joining Bray on the entry list in the premier Lascom Motorsport KZ2 class is former NZ #1 and recent Australian Kart Championship final round class runner-up Dylan Drysdale. Also entered and rearing to go are class series’ points leader, and current NZ#1 Mathew Kinsman and #2 Madeline Stewart, as well as category young gun Matthew Payne (who raced with Daniel Bray in Europe this year) and Australian Henry Johnstone (who competed against Drysdale and Madeline Stewart in the Australian championship). And back in the KZ2 class for the Hamilton final is one of the country’s other leading female drivers, Tiffany Hamilton (nee Chittenden) from Christchurch.
All up there are 21 drivers entered in the main Lascom Motorsport KZ2 class, as well as 21 in the combined Lascom Motorsport KZ2 Masters/KZ4 class, a new benchmark for both this season and something Molecule ProKart Series promotor Steve Brown is very proud of.
“Particularly for a final round, when what usually happens is those not in a position to get a podium in their class give it away. If you look at the points heading into this weekend though they are still really close in all three classes, right through the fields too, so everyone has still got plenty to race for. Plus of course we’ve got guys like Dylan coming back and Henry coming over because of all the good things he has heard about our series over here.”
Heading into the final round at the KartSport Hamilton club’s Speedworks Raceway (opposite the city’s international airport) Aucklander Mat Kinsman has an eight point lead in Lascom Motorsport KZ2 over local ace Rhys Tinney with Daniel Bray third equal with top Palmerston North driver Jacob Cranston. Fellow young guns Matt Payne and Madeline Stewart are also in the hunt in fifth and sixth place respectively. Not in overall contention having only returned to the series recently but also expected to play a part up front this weekend are former series race winner Graeme Smyth, and teammate Ryan Grant, the latter a multi-time former KZ2 series winner.
The battle for class victory in Lascom Motorsport KZ2 Masters this weekend is also expected to involve several players, including series’ promotor himself, Steve Brown, the current points leader, and fellow vets Kevan Storr, Nick Isaac, Andrew Hunt, Enrico van der Griend, and Tim Loughran from the Hawke’s Bay.
How Lascom Motorsport KZ4 pans out is anyone’s guess. Auckland’s Regan Hall (pictured) has a seven point lead but no fewer than three drivers – Jamie Pollock from Wellington, Aaron Wooley from Hamilton and multi-time former class title holder Garry Cullum from Auckland – are tied for second place on point
There will be action of track both days this weekend with the Molecule ProKart Series again sharing top billing with the Giltrap Group Rotax Max Challenge’s double-header (Rnds 7 & 8) final.
RESULTS
Lascom Motorsport KZ2
Series points after Rnd 4 of 5.
1.Mat Kinsman 350; 2. Rhys Tinney 342; 3= Daniel Bray & Jacob Cranston 340; 5. Matt Payne 339; 6. Madeline Stewart 335.
Lascom Motorsport KZ2 Masters
Series points after Rnd 4 of 5
1.Steve Brown 355; 2. Kevan Storr 345; 3. Nick Isaac 343; 4. Andrew Hunt 340; 5. Enrico van der Griend 334; 6. Tim Loughran 330
Lascom Motorsport KZ4
Series points after Rnd 4 of 5
1.Regan Hall 356 points; 2=. Garry Cullum/Jamie Pollock/Aaron Wooley 349; 5. Gerhard Benadie 340; 6. Shaun Curran 330.
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