A third heat mishap which damaged his kart and rear tyre could not keep Bailey Sweeny from the podium in an international go karting event.
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The Eurobodalla Shire racer finished third in the KA3 event at the invitational Gold Coast 600 Race of Stars, held from October 17-19. Sweeny opted for a wet-weather set-up as rain was threatening. The decision slowed him down when the rain held off, but he fought hard to claim a place on the podium. Sweeny also qualified third and finished in the top 10 for the Tag125 and has taken plenty of "positives from the weekend".
His mother Michelle Sweeny said things rev up next year and sponsors were needed: "He moves to cars and will be competing in the Toyota 86 Series - a support category for the Supercars - along with doing a few rounds of the Australian Kart Championship. He is training at Paul Morris Norwell Motorplex on the Gold Coast. Bailey is seeking sponsorship to support his racing career, which will be televised next year live."
Also with his eye on a future Race of Stars is 11-year-old Aidan Williams, of Moruya, who showed he was a karter to watch by winning the ACT title this month.
His mother Nicole Thomas said he qualified third: "He worked well through out the heats and earned pole position for the final. Aidan hit the lead by the first corner and held it for 20 laps, winning his first state title. Aidan drives an Evo kart, Powered by Warped Race Engines, via his dad, engine builder Chadd Williams."