Christmas came full blast to Kartsport Auckland on Saturday December 15 th.

The kids Christmas Party & Feast drew the largest turnout in recent years and Santa had his work cut out dealing with the 45 guests.

It was a record number of drivers for this meeting also, 103, and there was some superb racing displayed. For those of you who attended the Auckland Christmas Meeting for the first time we hope you enjoyed it in all its aspects.

Liam Haigh, James Murdoch & Luke Dobbs were first – third overall in Un-Rated Cadets; these three lads achieved their placings by going forward from their start grids in all their races – well, Liam slipped up in the first race but then in the third he drove from grid 8 to first so we’ll let him off. He may been distracted by Phantom Santa……..

Fourteen Cadet drivers took to the track and provided some spectacular racing – especially in the second race which saw a three-way battle between Thomas McLean, Joel Herbert & Kaitlyn Wonnacott. Kaitlyn won the day from Joel and Richard McCarthy.

Aaron Wilson had his work cut for him in Junior Restricted – the grid draw was not kind!! He managed two firsts & a second which secured the days win from Kaleb Currie, whose grids were only marginally better!, and Shaun Grocock.

What a great turnout of Formula J drivers!! Nick Cassidy stamped his authority on this class for the day taking 3 from 3. Levi Madsen-Prinn was second, and Matthew Griffin third.

Junior Yamaha ran on the track with Formula J’s and young Daniel Kinsman continued a family tradition by winning the class & taking back home the Jack Pearson Memorial Trophy that brother Mat had won last year. Adam Davis & Jake Connor finished in second & third positions.

Club Class saw Dennis Nicols, Nigel Kurtz and Shaun Curran battle out the first three positions in all races with Dennis taking the overall win. Nigel got second on countback from Shaun.

Another good field was Yamaha Light and the battle for honours was between Deon Forrest and Mat Kinsman. Deon successfully retained the Bob Hone Trophy by only one point from Mat. Matthew Sloper filled third spot. The Heavy class ran on the track with Lights and honours there went to Steven Currie from Leyton Kendall and Brendon Smith.

The Rotax Light guys must’ve had a chat prior to racing; Kane Taylor was first in all three races, Daniel Kent, second, Michael Emmerson, third and Travis Taylor fourth. Made working out the overall result dead easy!

Rotax Heavy went to Aarron Cunningham, 2 wins and a second placing, from Warren Parris & Garry Claxton. Kevin Wylie was back – he DID go out & buy another kart after the Enduro Day!!

Open Class and the Williamson Memorial Trophy went to Graeme Smyth from Alex McClennan & Ryan Grant.

In addition to the Christmas event we also ran the Burger Fuel 500, which had not been run at round two due to time constrictions. The contesting class was Junior Restricted and was won by Aaron Wilson with Shaun Grocock in second & CJ Sinclair in third.

Results –

Un-Rated Cadet -

1. Liam Haigh 2. James Murdoch 3. Luke Dobbs 4. Lachlan Smith 5. Brodie Cox 6. Amy Smith

Cadet -

1. Kaitlyn Wonnacott 2. Joel Herbert 3. Richard McCarthy 4. Michael De Ponte 5. Thomas McLean 6. Brad Wilson

Junior Restricted –

1. Aaron Wilson 2. Kaleb Currie 3. Shaun Grocock 4. CJ Sinclair 5. Jordan Hart 6. Mitchell Brown

Junior Yamaha –

1. Daniel Kinsman 2. Adam Davis 3. Jake Connor 4. Mitchel Stone 5. Danny Keene 6. Samantha Lewis

Formula Junior –

1. Nick Cassidy 2. Levi Madsen-Prinn 3. Matthew Griffin 4. Michael Bird 5. Scott Reddish 6. Mitchell Pykett

Club Class –

1. Dennis Nicols 2. Nigel Kurtz 3. Shaun Curran 4. David Turpin 5. Shanon Hope 6. Garry Cullum

Senior Yamaha Light -

1. Deon Forrest 2. Mat Kinsman 3. Matthew Sloper 4. Todd Sherley 5. Pierre Buckleigh 6. Ben Covich

Senior Yamaha Heavy -

1. Steven Currie 2. Leyton Kendall 3. Brendon Smith 4. Dion Kendall 5. Martyn Waugh 6. Todd Neal

Senior Rotax Light -

1. Kane Taylor 2. Daniel Kent 3. Michael Emmerson 4. Travis Taylor

Senior Rotax Heavy -

1. Aarron Cunningham 2. Warren Parris 3. Garry Claxton 4. Anthony Murch 5. David Waldmeyer 6. Cameron Dennis

Senior Open –

1. Graeme Smyth 2. Alex McClennan 3. Ryan Grant 4. James Jackson 5. Shaun Wotherspoon 6. Ashley Johnson

Burger Fuel 500 - Junior Restricted - 20laps

1. Aaron Wilson 2. Shaun Grocock 3. CJ Sinclair 4. Oliver Pykett 5. Kaleb Currie 6.Alex Cassidy

Following all the official racing it was time for the Christmas and end of year fun to start.

First up was the Ladies race - won by Michelle Nicols. Then was the turn of the Fathers - won by Dianne Sloper; who is actually a Mum! Due to a small glitch Dianne missed the Ladies event so our kindly race officials allowed her out with the Dads - & she cleaned up! Well done - GIRL POWER!!!! Last on the track was the Mechanics race, which went to Kerry Smyth - who will not let anyone forget it for the entirety of 2008!!!!!

These three winners each received a voucher for one free club race day entry at Auckland in 2008 - we may get one or some of them hooked!

Other 2007 end of year awards presented -

Overall Points -

Cadet - Kaitlyn Wonnacott

Junior Restricted - Shaun Grocock

Formula Junior - Scott Reddish

Junior Yamaha - Adam Davis

Club Class - Shaun Curran

Yamaha Light - Matthew Sloper

Yamaha Heavy - Dion Kendall

Rotax Light - Michael Emmerson

Rotax Heavy - Warren Parris

Open - Shaun Wotherspoon

 Most Improved -

Cadet - Brad Wilson

Junior Restricted - Aaron Wilson

Junior - Jake Bonney

Senior - Anthony Murch

 Best Presented Kart - Graeme Smyth

So ends our 2007 karting year.

The track is closed and reopens January 9 th.

Our first meeting for 2008 is the Totalspan City of Sails 2-Day Challenge. Entry Forms are available on both the NZ & Auckland websites. We have secured TV coverage for this event thanks to Totalspan so get those entries in!!

Keep up to date with what’s happening via the web site - there will be a working bee or three leading up to this first event to get the complex ship-shape.

First club day is February 17 th.

Have an enjoyable holiday break and travel safe.