Butchart's Success Continues

Nelson's Matt Butchart continued a recent streak of good form to win the Garden City Champs which was run over two days in Christchurch last weekend. The event attracted the largest field of KZ2 Karts seen in the South Island for a long time with 14 of the 6 speed, 45+ horse power “shifters” taking to the track.

Drivers came from as far afield as Auckland and Invercargill. The event is run over two days with day one run in the “normal” direction and day two in the reverse direction. Butchart qualified a close second to good friend Chris Cox who is the top South Island and one of NZ’s best KZ2 drivers on day one.

There was good close racing during the day with Butchart having some bad luck in the Pre-final with his engine flooding on the start line and as these karts are the only ones to do standing starts he was left to watch the race from the side-line. This meant a start from the rear in the all-important final. In what was the drive of the day he came from the back of the field to 3rd by the second corner of the opening lap and managed to take second by the chequered flag but was never going to catch the flying Cox.

Day two saw Butchart qualify on pole from Cox. Again some good racing through the heats saw Cox off P1 and Butchart off P2 for the final. Butchart got an early pass on Cox for the lead in the opening lap but Cox came back and retook the lead. Unfortunately Cox experienced an engine issue mid race which allowed Matt to come through for the win and take the overall win for the meeting.

Club mate Jarod Fisher was competing in the Junior Rotax class. Jarod qualified in 3rd for day one with a standout win in the pre-final. He finished the first day in a strong 4th position. Day two saw him qualify in 4th and some intense racing between the top four drivers saw Jarod come away with a 4th overall for the meeting.

Both drivers will be heading to Blenheim at Labour weekend along with a strong contingent of Nelsons top drivers looking for top results in the South Island Champs which this year is attracting some of the North Islands best drivers away from their event run on the same weekend to the fast and flowing Blenheim track.

Photo Credit - Jason Green