In preparation for the upcoming Grand Final of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, Alex Ninovic took to Newcastle Kart Circuit contesting the Newcastle City Cup, 30-31st of July 2022. ‘AN Racing’ in conjunction with kart manufacturer PCR used this meeting to test and tune their equipment before the championship decider, August 19-20-21, at Newcastle.
Friday Practice – Provided a clean slate where various setups were benched marked against data collected. This allowed Alex to test and provide feedback on drivability, speed and control.
Saturday Practice – KA3 Senior Drivers hit the track at 8.30 am for a six-minute shoot-out to determine the grid for Heat One. Ninovic Jnr again showed why he is the current KA4 Junior National Champion taking pole position in 48.600, followed by Keegan Frazer at 49.085 and Jordan Shalala 49.090.
Heat 1 – After 12 laps of racing, Alex Ninovic crossed the line in first place with a 3.835 second gap to Frazer and Shalala while also setting multiple fastest laps, Alex’s best being 48.746.
Heat 2 – With Ninovic Jnr on pole, a well-executed start saw him lead into turn one. From there it was a one-horse race with each lap setting the fastest times by the 15-year-old PCR Team Driver. After 12 laps Alex crossed the line in first with a 4.184-second margin over Shalala, Hill coming home in third. Alex’s time is 48.735.
Heat 3 – As the track rubbered up, from pole position Alex put his head down and pushed his PCR Factory Kart sponsored by Hamilton Blackstone Lawyers into the lead and taking the win from Shalala, Frazer with Hill in fourth place. Fastest lap Ninovic Jnr 48.886.
Heat 4 – Sunday morning competitors were greeted with cold conditions. From pole, Alex Ninovic lead the rolling start but was passed by Jordan Shalala into turn one. These two stayed in formation until lap five when Alex made his move. When the flag fell on lap 14, the Sydney ‘AN Racing’ driver took victory again by 3.484 over Robert Graham while setting the fastest laps.
Final – All was set for 18 laps of excitement and from pole position Alex again leads the field away. As the race progressed the ‘AN Racing Team’ PCR Kart experienced loss of power in certain corners. This allowed Matthew Hill to close in fast and take the lead. When the flag fell Hill had a 3.854 margin over Alex who managed to hold onto second from Keegan Frazer and a fast finishing Robert Graham.
Post race when interviewed about his dominant performance, 4 wins and a 2nd place in the final Alex said “The Newcastle City Cup is not the Nationals and naturally this is our focus. We will take all our data back to the workshop to see where we can improve and go even faster”.
Alex Ninovic goes into the Nationals 3 points behind the current KA3 Senior National Champion, Jace Matthews.
The next round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship is 19th – 21st of August where Alex and the AN Racing team are off to Cameron Park in Newcastle for the final round of the season.
