Mathew Basso was back behind the wheel over the weekend at the opening round of the Victorian Country Series. Basso was going into the weekend looking to replicate his championship victory from season 2022.
Mathew had moved to the KA3 Junior Heavy class which is under different regulations for season 2023. Basso was ready to hit the Southwest Kart Club track to try and start the championship with a bang!
Saturday morning started with cold conditions and light drizzle all throughout the day. Basso hit the track for qualifying and was immediately in the top few drivers setting quick times. Mathew was looking right in the hunt for pole position when he made a small mistake dropping him into traffic. Basso was able to regroup and jump up on the front row in 2nd position.
The young driver was looking to heat 1 to try and go one better! Basso was able to get an excellent start and make a move into turn 1 for the lead. Mathew put the head down and was able to slowly open up a margin and set fastest laps across the race. Basso was able to take the 1st heat of the championship in fine style.
Heat 2 on Sunday morning was much the same with another excellent start for Mathew. Basso once was able to open up a margin and continue to set fastest laps across the journey. Mathew made it 2 out of 2 race victories which had him off pole position for the final heat race! Heat 3 had Basso off pole position and looking to keep his unbeaten run of race victories. Mathew got another great start and led out of the opening lap and was once again trying to push open a margin. Basso was once again able to set fastest laps of the race and got over a 1 second lead ahead of his nearest rivals.
Mathew was able to make it 3 out of 3 race victories and he was now going into the final looking for the clean sweep! The nerves were high going into the final as Basso was looking to take maximum points away from the opening round. Mathew got another excellent start and didn’t look back extending margin across the race. Basso put in a faultless weekend of racing with 4 fastest laps and 4 victories to take the opening round of the championship and maximum points!
Mathew’s father Paul spoke post weekend on his young son’s performance. “Mathew has been driving well and all of our preseason testing is paying off. Everything was clicking this weekend and Mathew did a great job”.
Mathew also spoke post weekend on his busy preseason and upcoming race meets. “We have worked so hard during the off season and to come away with the win and maximum points was a fantastic result. I’m now looking forward to a strong showing at round 1 of the Victorian Golden Power Series, round 1 of the Australian Kart Championship and of cause the Victorian State Titles”.
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 – supplied/Darrens Sportography)
