Mathew Basso has had a hot start to season 2023 and looked to continue this at the opening round of the Victorian Golden Power Series! Basso, who has already claimed a round victory at the opening round of the Victorian Country Series, was going into the opening round of his second series of 2023 as one of the main fancies. In a field of 25 drivers, Mathew was in for a tough weekend of racing at the Eastern Lions Kart Club!
Basso hit the track Saturday afternoon for the all-important qualifying session and was in the zone to go for pole position. Mathew put himself in with the fastest 5 straight away and was pushing hard to make his way forward. Basso dipped under the 46 second bracket to put himself into position 1 overall. Try as the rest of the field might, Mathew was able to secure the all-important pole position for the opening heats!
Basso started off the best seat in the house for the opening heat and he was able to hold his position off the all-important start. Mathew was setting impressive pace which included the fastest lap with Cooper Synfield trying to push hard behind. Basso was able to take the chequered flag and convert pole position into a heat 1 victory.
Heat 2 was first thing on Sunday morning on Mathew was looking to take a 2 nd consecutive heat win. Basso was able to lead out of the opening lap but once again had competitor and rival Synfield on his tail. Mathew and Cooper traded lap times, with Mathew being able to open a slight margin across the race. Basso was able to take his 2nd consecutive heat win by just over 4 tenths to put him off pole position for the final heat.
Mathew was looking to make it 3 consecutive heat victories and he was once again able to nail the start! Basso was pushing hard at the front but had company in his rival of the weekend Cooper Synfield. Mathew was able to lead the entire 8 laps and in a hard-fought race was able to take a tight 3 tenth victory. Basso was starting off pole position for the all-important final and was looking for his 2 nd clean sweep of 2023.
Basso was looking to finish his weekend on a high in the all-important final. Mathew unfortunately didn’t have the start he wanted, getting shuffled back to 5 th position off the start. Mathew with determination and excellent pace was able to quickly make his way back up to 2nd position. By the time Basso had made his way to 2 nd position, the race leader was well clear. Mathew set blistering pace including the fastest lap of the race to come home in 2 nd position. Basso was able to leave the opening round of the championship with the points lead in a brilliant showing.
Mathew’s father Paul spoke post weekend their positive start to the Golden Power Series. “This has been a great start to our Golden Power Series campaign. Mathew drove flawlessly all weekend and if it wasn’t for a first turn incident where he was hit from behind, we probably could have walked away with full points from the weekend but that’s racing”.
Mathew backed up his father’s thoughts on his start to the championship. “I’m happy with the way the weekend went. The kart was fast and if it wasn’t for a small mishap in the final, I think we could have walked away with full points, but I can’t complain. We are leading the Series and that is very cool”.
Mathew would like to thank Castrol Racing, UNIT Clothing, NGK Spark Plugs, MEARTH Electric Scooters, Atlas Neck Braces, Oakley Australia, Platinum Potions, Mayhem Tools, Ethika, PREPD Hydration, Albek Luggage, SAKA Water, 808 Dude, Secure Max & Co, Bakers Delight, Raceline Motorsports Racewear, New Balance and MotiV8 Training.
(pic – Tim Francis)
