MiniGP debuts new 110cc class

Series takes a thrilling step forward with a fast track to fame for riders as young as six

Chaz Williams and Jake Paige have emerged as the two round winners of the 160cc and 190cc classes respectively after the second round of the FuSport FIM Mini GP series held at Oakleigh Go Kart track in Melbourne over April 12-13.

The round also saw several new innovations, including the 110cc MiniGP class, providing an opportunity for riders as young as six years old to start competing.

Williams clinched the 160cc pole for the second round in succession, taking the lap record with him on his way to a convincing opening race win with a margin of 16 seconds to Ethan Ayad and Austin Attard, with Cooper Horne in fourth.

The big margin was due to some fierce dicing through lapped riders, with Ayad the beneficiary of an incident involving Attard and Horne. “I was so angry in the moment, it’s just racing, it happens,” Attard said.

In the second race, Williams was once again untouchable as Horne and Attard battled for the podium; this time Horne went down at turn five to promote Ayad to the podium.

Williams remained undefeated for the year, saying the second outing was a lot harder than race one due to the hot conditions. “It was really slippery on the rear, especially out of turn two and turn four. I was really waiting for that last lap board, I was so nervous and also exhausted from the heat.”

The competition has tightened in the 190cc class after the Oakleigh round, with Jake Paige holding firm for a double victory to seize the championship lead from South Australia’s Judd Plaisted. Plaisted held a one second advantage in the opening race before going down in the opening stages, allowing Paige to take control for victory ahead of Phoenix O’Brien and Isaac Ayad.

Plaisted remounted for fifth after another crash in the same corner, his consolation being setting the fastest lap of the race. “It was just unlucky, really. After the accident in the first couple of laps I knew I had to keep going and push to catch Isaac (Ayad), but my handlebar and foot hit the curb and I lost the rear and went down again.”

Keen to make amends, Plaisted battled past Paige to take the lead in the opening stage of the second race, only to crash again in a similar fashion. Paige rode smart to an untroubled three second victory ahead of Plaisted, the latter being made to fight through the field to salvage second from the much-improved Phoenix O’Brien.

The Pro/Am class provided some eye-watering action, with several ASBK stars showing just what the largest Ohvale is capable of. Cam Dunker took three wins from four races but was pushed hard by Levi Russo, trading some incredible passes.

The new 110cc MiniGP class provides yet another option for younger racers to develop their skills. Fitted with an automatic gearbox, the 110cc machine is easy to ride with the biggest trouble being the height to the ground for the young riders.

Archer Thomas won all four races, with Zephaniah Hendricks second and Finn Bradbury third.

Also debuting on the program was the 20-lap Mini Bike teams feature race, with seven teams entered. Jai Russo led at the midway change point as he handed over to teammate Mitch Welsh, but it was ironman Allesandro Fogli who took the win by over 10 seconds.

Fogli had been blisteringly fast all weekend against a field stacked with ASBK talent including Dunker, Max Stauffer and the Russo brothers. He rode the full 20 laps solo, still having to dismount at the change-over point.

The date and location of the next round is yet to be announced.

FIM MiniGP 190cc Round 2

Standings after 2 of 5 rounds –
J Paige 83, J Plaisted 72, P O’Brien 69, I Ayad 63, N Lazos 53

FIM MiniGP 160cc Round 2

Standings after 2 of 5 rounds –
C Williams 100, A Attard 76, E Ayad 65, C Horne 55, J White 40