Kiwis hit the track for Australasian Young Drivers’ opener

by Adam Hamilton

The four Kiwis kick-off their assault on the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship at Albion Park today.

And they have a proud record to build on with NZ drivers winning five of the past nine titles.

Carter Dalgety, Wilson House and Harrison Orange will join defending champion, Sam Thornley, as “Team NZ” across the 10-race series.

It starts with three heats on this afternoon at “The Creek” – races six (5:47pm NZT), seven (6:22pm NZT) and nine (7:27pm NZT).

The draws have been kind to Orange (gate one on My Ultimate Cossie) and Thornley (gate two on Mahindi) in the first heat.

Dalgety has drawn the pole on Hatties Jewel in heat two, while Thornley, who easily won last year’s NSW-based series, will start from barrier three on Obi One in heat three.

The series returns to Albion Park on Wednesday for another three heats, then heads to the unique “triangle” track at Redcliffe on Friday night for heats seven, eight and nine.

As is the norm, the last of the 10 heats will be part of the huge Inter Dominion Grand Final night at Albion Park on Saturday.

The Kiwis will face some strong Aussie opposition, headed by Victoria’s superstar James Herbertson.

The other Aussies in this series are: Jett Turnbull (NSW), Emily Suvaljko (WA), Brodie Davis (Tasmania), Chloe Butler (Queensland), Bernadette Page (SA).