4th February

Burdon Comes Out On Top at Young Guns

After a battling race Josh Burdon took the chequered flag of Launceston’s Annual Junior Feature Race “Young Guns”. He finished just a mere kart length ahead of his best friend Mitchel Evans


Above: McDonald's Young Guns competitors ready for action
(Eventual winner Josh Burdon second from right)
pic - Brad Segda, kartpix.fotopic.net

 

In the blistering heat of 28◦c the action at LKC was not to be frowned upon with close racing all day. The junior classes and feature showed talent from beyond their years as they battled their way through every corner.

 

The junior light final was a race to be seen with top drivers Josh Burdon, Jackson Evans, Mitchel Evans and Jack Dimsey swapping places every corner. It came to the last lap, Josh Burdon leading. Jackson Evans made an attempt up the inside of Burdon with 2 corners to go but the karters got tangled sending Josh, Jackson and Mitchel off the track giving Dimsey a clear run to take the chequered flag; Mitchel Evans 2nd and Josh Burdon 3rd.

 

The junior heavy final was commented as being the race of the day with young Burnie driver Luke Peters dominating all day. Although on pole position Peters got a bad start and was placed back in 5th behind other drivers Sam Crack, Waylon Sims, Harley Aitkin and State Champion Byron Bateson. But Peters fired back and by lap 3 was back in the lead. It was a close race through every corner as he and talented driver Sam Crack diced their way around the track with the others closely behind. The last lap was crucial as the drivers tangled themselves down the back straight of the last lap. Sam Crack was forced back to 5th position giving Luke Peters the extra kart lengths he needed to win the race.

 

But nerves were rattling as it came to the last race of the day… The Junior Young Guns Showdown!

Top driver Josh Burdon, who had been quick all day, drew pole with new junior Tim Rogers by his side on grid 2. Defending Champ Jackson Evans settled back in grid 10 and 2006 runner up Sam Crack in grid 8.

The race began and pole man Josh Burdon broke away to take a small lead. It was a messy start for those further back in the pack with two drivers not making it past the first corner; new junior Danton Evans was pushed from the track after starting in grid 12, he rejoined the field in 18th place.

Defending champ Jackson Evans had a magnificent start and immediately began to make up positions, his cousin Mitchel Evans, who too had been quick all day, was making his way through the field quickly also.

 

New junior Tim Rogers was showing great talent as he held his own at the front of the field. Jake Sale too was showing great driving skill as he settled in 4th place for the majority of the race before being passed by Sam Crack and Byron Bateson.

 

Jackson eventually caught and passed Burdon and attempted to break away, but Burdon fought back and stuck to Jackson’s tail closely. It appeared it was down to these two drivers, each just as eager for the title as the other.

But the spectators were in for a treat when Mitchel Evans, all the way from grid 19, caught and passed the two front runners with 4 laps to go. It was on! The three of them passing and dicing their way through each of these last few laps; screaming spectators high on their heels at the fence.

 

It was the last lap, Mitchel Evans 1st, Jackson Evans 2nd and Josh Burdon 3rd. Two corners to go, Jackson made one last attempt to get passed his cousin and take the title. But his plan didn’t work as he went too deep and took the hair pin wide. It was 3 wide coming onto the finishing straight… Jackson hit the curb and was sent skidding across the track and onto the grass; to stop just 10 meters from the line.

 

Josh Burdon went ahead to win a race that will be remembered for many years to come. Mitchel Evans came in a very close 2nd; and 2006 runner up Sam Crack came in 3rd.

It was a fantastic race… Congratulations to all!!

 

Above: Josh Burdon leads Jackson Evans and Tim Rogers through Dunlop Corner in the early stages of the race.
pic - Brad Segda, kartpix.fotopic.net