01/07/2026
🏁 Been a busy few weeks behind the microphone! 🎤
The biggest event was undoubtedly the 2026 South Australian State Titles at Glenburnie Kartway, hosted by the Mount Gambier Kart Club. Firstly, a huge congratulations to the club, officials and volunteers. State Titles are no small task.
⬛️ Abel Dutton was the headline act, taking home not one but two Black Plates in KA3 Junior Light and KA3 Junior. Not a bad day's work! Fighting back Pittam in the Lights and a full field of potential winners in Heavies. He showed his worth this weekend!
⬛️ Aston Tuckett produced what was, in my opinion, the move of the weekend. Cadet 12 qualifying had already shown how close the class was, with the top three separated by just 0.069 seconds and Ethan Wallis claiming pole by only 0.031. The final delivered exactly what we hoped for. Aston and Max King broke clear of the field before a small mistake from Max opened the door. Aston needed no second invitation, making a brilliant move around the outside on the final lap and racing to the line for victory.
⬛ Henry Dohnt in the Cadet 9 had a great battle all weekend against Hayden Sharp, with both drivers in the fight for the Black Plate. Sharp had some tough luck with a missing chain guard costing a win and a carby issue leaving him sidelined in heat 3. In the end it was Henry Dohnt who came out on top after a strong final to claim his first ever Black Plate.
⬛️ Shane Moreland defended home soil in Tag Restricted Light. It was great to see him back racing, but if I'm being picky, I would've liked to see someone make him work a little harder for it!
⬛️ Noah Enright overcame a very different challenge to most. Away from his usual environment, without family trackside and without his normal setup around him, he relied heavily on the people around him throughout the weekend. With his kart transported by Chapman and plenty of phone calls back to Adelaide for advice and guidance, it was a true team effort. Despite all that, nothing was stopping him from claiming the Tag Light Black Plate.
⬛️ Robbie Turmine finally broke through for a Black Plate after years of trying different combinations and chasing the dream. Sometimes things just click, and for Robbie, this was that day.
⬛️ Troy Moreland completed one of the stories of the weekend in KA3 Senior Light. The racing in that class was absolutely wild. You could make an argument for almost anyone in the field being capable of winning, but while everyone else was battling amongst themselves, Troy put himself in the perfect position and delivered when it mattered most, also retaining his Black Plate for another year is succession!
Before Mount Gambier, I was also at the Rocky Gully Showdown at the Go Kart Club of SA. The 4SS standing starts were worth the trip alone! Tim Murphy nearly wheelied down the straight on race start and Lightning Luna put together a brilliant weekend on his way to his first karting grand slam 🏆
I also made my way to Collingrove for the Collingrove Hillclimb Trophy. One thing I'm loving about Hillclimbs is the variety. An extra Torana on the entry list is always going to make me smile, but seeing everything from a Mercedes AMG C45 to a US Legend Car attack the hill was fantastic. Fun fact, Legend Cars were originally designed so they could fit in the tray of a Ford F-150, allowing drivers to throw a few tools in the back seat and go racing without needing a truck and trailer. Simple and practical
One request... can we get some non-slip mats near the Mt Gambier canteen? 😅 I absolutely stacked it while running to grab a drink and my shoulder and leg are still sore a few days later. Apparently 26 is old now.
📅 Since we’re now into July, here’s what’s ahead over the next few weeks. Sunday the 5th I’m back up at Collingrove once again to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Hillclimb. The following weekend I head out to Broken Hill for their second running of the Silver City Titles. The week after that is the states top series, Festival State Cup at Southern Go Kart Club. To round it out, I’m back up at Collingrove Hillclimb for a second time in the month.
Already looking fully booked right through until the start of October. Busy year ahead! 🏁
