It was a case of close, but no cigar, for the Kiwi quartet in the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship.
The kiwi four of Robbie Close, Matt Anderson, Kyle Marshall and Brad Williamson all finished in the top six in the week-long competition in Western Australia. The competition was taken out by New South Welshman, Todd McCarthy.
Close and McCarthy went into the final night of racing at Gloucester Park on Friday night locked together, while four other drivers could have snared the major prize with a victory – dependent on other results.
The race was taken out by hometown hero, Stuart McDonald who was well down on the leader board which left the door open for any number of drivers to claim the top prize.
For the Kiwis, Matt Anderson gave himself the best chance of snatching a victory with his third placing, but it wasn’t enough with McCarthy, who finished down the track, claiming more points than close to give him a total of 73 points and the series win.
Close and Anderson were the next best on 71 points each – with the defending champion, Close, getting the nod for overall second placing on a countback while Anderson had to settle for third.
Marshall, who produced consistent results throughout the series was next in fourth while Nathan Dawson of Queensland finished just ahead of Brad Williamson in the next two spots.
All four of the Kiwi contingent tasted success in the nine-race series with six of the races falling to the foursome.
Close, Williamson and Marshall are all out of the junior ranks now but Anderson has a chance of getting himself to the next championship in two years with his time in the junior ranks set to extend for another couple of seasons.
Final Standings:
Todd McCarthy (NSW) – 73
Robbie Close (NZ) – 71
Matt Anderson (NZ) – 71
Kyle Marshall (NZ) – 69
Nathan Dawson (QLD) – 67
Brad Williamson (NZ) – 65
Jayson Finnis -(SA) – 61
Stuart McDonald (WA) – 46
Jason Lee (VIC) – 41
Wade Rattray (TAS) – 30
Matt Markham