Australian FKS Bolivar race notes

Arandt's round, Thompson's title

21 September, 2003 - Following Luke Wood's domination of yesterday's proceedings it was Garden Aspects CC Racing pilot, Josh Arandt who broke through for his maiden Ford KartStars victory in today's final round at South Australia's Bolivar Raceway.

Wood began the day in the same way he finished yesterday, with a victory in the third heat race first thing this morning. Nick Parker began to show signs of pace finishing second in his SupAlign/Just Toyota entry ahead of "Hollywood", Adrian Estasy. Meanwhile Troy Woolston's Championship hopes virtually went out of his grasp when he failed to finish.

In the Pre-Final Wood led the early running before being overcome by Jayair's Tim Blanchard. When Blanchard ran wide in the middle corner it allowed Parker to pounce with four laps remaining to then take out the Pre-Final at Bolivar for the second year running.

"Finally we have got some pace at the right end of the weekend, hopefully I can finish higher than my fifth last year after starting on pole," said Parker after the Pre-Final.

Wood finished second ahead of Blanchard, Josh Arandt and Championship leader, Andrew Thompson.

As the KartStars field filed through the opening turn it was Wood who got the jump ahead of Parker who was soon to be overcome by Blanchard. Arandt and local driver Reif Corbett were the drivers on the move during the opening laps moving to second and fourth respectively.

On lap 9 Arandt found his way into the lead to then pull away for a convincing victory. Wood continued to show good pace to hold on for second and finish on the podium for the first time.

Blanchard was third for the majority of the race after holding off the challenge by Corbett but was unable to hold off the charging Parker who finished on the podium for the first time in third.

Mid race Championship contenders, Woolston and Thompson came together forcing Thompson out of the event. However his swag of points in the opening four rounds was enough for him to seal the victory in the Series with 391 points becoming the youngest winner of the series.

Woolston finished second on 375 ahead of Arandt (358) and Jason Varley (322). The top 4 will undergo an evaluation program from which two will compete in the Victorian Formula Ford Championship in 2004. Finishing just outside the top 4 was Wesley May and Blanchard on 318.

-fks-