Inaugural event for Griffith Go-Karts

Karters from as far afield as Ipswich, Wangaratta, Bright and various Victorian locales drove into Griffith last weekend for the inaugural Dee Vine Estate Cup.

President of the Griffith Kart Club Wal Snaidero said it was a smashing success for the first of what will be an annual event on their calendar.

“We had 65 competitors,” Mr Snaidero said.

“It has been a fantastic inaugural event and the feedback has been really positive.”

Dee Vine Estate is the main sponsor for the event. Director of Dee Vine Estate, Adrian Bianchini’s brother Joseph was a karter back in the day so the Cup has been organised as a memorial to Joseph Bianchini.

Mr Snaidero thanked participants, officials and sponsors for an amazing weekend of racing. Adrian Bianchini gave a heartfelt speech highlighting the weekend’s tribute to his late brother, Joseph, a member of the club, and thanking all competitors.

Mr Snaidero said that the Griffith Kart Club was a country club that was looking forward to growing.

“We’re just trying to make it a family-oriented club,” he said.

“We want to get young families into the sport.” “It is a strong bonding sport for father/son or father/daughter.”

“We have competitors as young as 7 years right through to 75 years.”

The club has 67 members at last count and they are continuing to grow.

They run seven race meetings each year and had three people join the group last week.

Mr Snaidero’s own business Riverina Karts and Parts is the local shop for all things go-karts.

Anyone interested in having a go at a go-kart can contact Mr Snaidero on 0427 487 488 to make arrangements to try out one of their packages.

The next event on the calendar is the third round of the Southern Stars series on May 22 and 23.

Results

There were a total of ten classes, with drivers competing for a generous pool of $25,000.

Novices, the youngest class, won by young local Joseph Bianchini. Second place was taken by another local boy Brodie Tropeano. Novice P Plate class won by Albury’s Koa Patten.

The Rookies division (9 to 12 years) had 13 contenders for the title. Mitchell Love took the win, Charlie Curran from Orange took second and local rising talent Jack Charles took fourth.

Rookies P Plate Division was won by Albury’s Eli Patten.

The Junior L class saw Nowra’s Imogen Radburn take first place.

Junior H showcased a convincing performance by Will Jones, but Goulburn’s Costa Toparis won the trophy.

Tag Restricted L won by Connor Dunn.

Tag Restricted H won by local driver Chaise Soltaire.

Tag Heavy won by Albury’s Danny Wright.

4SS H won by Richard Drooger from Parkes in a hotly contested division.

The Inaugural Joseph Bianchini Shield was won by Dillan Wells.

The Junior Dee Vine Cup was awarded to Canberra’s Mitchell Love, while the Senior Dee Vine Cup went to Brett Robinson from Orange.

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