Britek Motorsport Scholarship karter Scott McLaughlin has stormed into the lead of the New Zealand Junior Rotax Challenge following a resounding performance at the third round in Hamilton.
15-year-old McLaughlin from the Gold Coast qualified third but dominated both heats to start the pre-final on pole.
Despite tipping the scales some 13 kilograms over the minimum weight, McLaughlin aboard the all-new Arrow Red XE 28, prepared by Tony Chambers from Right Karts, controlled the pre-final before totalling dominating the 24-lap final in atrocious conditions to take the round and the lead in the series.
McLaughlin heads Tom Blomquist (the son of 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist) and Daniel Kinsman in the standings going to the Auckland Final.
“I’m thrilled to have won the round and to be leading the series is a huge bonus,” said McLaughlin.”
“The weather made it very difficult. Being aggressive as well as cautious was far from easy. I knew I needed to get to the front especially in the heats. Even though I was on pole for the pre-final and final, I had to keep 100% concentration throughout.”
“Weight is critical in the series and with some of the best drivers right on the minimum limit we do have to work extremely hard. That’s all part of the challenge and we will give it our best at the final round in Auckland.”
The top two overall in the championship will go to Italy to compete in the World Rotax championships.
The Britek Motorsport Scholarship is an initiative designed to provide aspiring youngsters with a career staircase from karting through Formula Ford. As well as supporting McLaughlin, the Britek Motorsport Scholarship supports Queensland brothers Justin and Nathan Garioch along with Minda Motorsport’s Adam Graham, Martin Swindells and Ben Walter in the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship.
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