Maclean’s Thomas Gallagher has kicked off his 2022 Australian Kart Championship with a second place at the first round held in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
This was Thomas’ first event with his new team Tyler Greenbury Racing (TGR).
The Australian Kart Championship consists of five rounds, held in various locations between Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Each of the five events run for three days which follows a similar program of practice for day one, qualifying and heats on day two, and more heats and the final on the last day.
Thomas had a great start to the race weekend with good pace early in the practice sessions, which followed on into qualifying where he snapped up 5th position. He continued to find pace over the heats where he placed 3rd, 3rd, 5th and 1st respectively. The team at TGR and Thomas were working hard all weekend to adjust the kart to suit both frequently changing weather and track conditions.
His consistent finishes within the top five in all heats allowed him to start on the front row of the grid for the final. This allowed Thomas to have an upper hand on the start and to stay ahead of the carnage that follows around the mid pack.
With the knowledge given to Thomas by his team and mechanic, he was able to keep a level head for the start and grab the lead early in the final. He held it for a few laps and was looking like he could bring home the victory.
With all race finals, there was some turbulent racing, and some contact between the top three drivers all competing for that first-place podium position.
Gallagher was bumped off the track and dropped from the lead, however he was able to regain his composure and chase the front pack down.
Within the final laps Thomas made a great comeback and was able to regain 2nd place for the checkered flag.
It was a great result for the team and for Thomas, and only gives all parties more drive to continue the success in the coming rounds later this year.
The next round will be held on April 15-17 at Bolivar Raceway in Adelaide, South Australia.