Albany Soapbox Club produces both junior and senior champs at Ross Burton Championship weekend

Young Albany soapbox drivers made a splash at the recent Ross Burton Championships in Perth with a clean sweep across both junior and senior divisions.

Ten drivers from the Albany Soapbox Club made the journey to Perth for the championships on September 28, and returned home with two winners among them.

Rain early in the day made for a slow and soggy start, halting races after the first of four scheduled handicap races.

After a three-hour delay, the skies cleared just enough to squeeze in another two, and from there the top 12 drivers from junior and senior divisions moved through to elimination rounds.

However, the rain and delay meant the final rounds were cut short, and without the deciding four-race series completed, final placements were determined on race times from earlier rounds.

The junior division saw strong racing and fierce competition from an up-and-coming group of drivers, many making their competition debut, and Albany held their own with clinical performances.

Jack North was the stand-out of the Albany bunch, charging through the elimination rounds to finish as the overall junior winner, with fellow Albany racer Lara Curtis also on the podium in third.

Jessie Harper, Austin Tysoe, and Bella Specht all made the elimination rounds, and Harrison West made it through to the top six before he was eliminated.

Charles Connor and Aaleyah Curtis both made an impressive showing but narrowly missed elimination rounds.

In the senior division, Tom North went from strength to strength, winning the second place handicap trophy before progressing to elimination rounds, and kept pushing through to take the overall win.

He also brought home the prestigious Association Trophy for best-placed driver across all inter-club championships.

Saleem McNaught, fresh off a national championships win in Albany earlier this year, raced strongly to finish first in the heats, and backed it up with consistent driving through the elimination rounds and finals, finishing in third place.

Albany Soapbox Club president Larry Puls praised the entire team, saying he “couldn’t be prouder of the drivers for their sportsmanship, competitive spirit and commitment on the weekend.”

He also thanked the dedicated parents, pit crew volunteers, and the ever-enthusiastic supporters cheering from the finish line.

The Albany Soapbox Club will return to the track on Sunday morning at Apex Drive, Mt Clarence.

New racers and curious spectators are warmly invited to come along, join in, or simply enjoy the action.