Lodge returns with top 10

James Lodge made his return to the Hyundai Excel Victorian State Race Series over the weekend at Sandown race course. Lodge has had a busy 2022 in his Hyundai Excel duties, along with his Karting Australia racing. Lodge was contesting against a large field of 34 drivers across the weekend and was looking to put his hat in the ring.

Lodge was first out of the gate on Saturday morning for his all-important qualifying sessions. The Parolin Australia backed entry was quickly getting up to speed and was able to put himself into the top half of drivers. James was able to continue his charge inside the top 10 and was looking to push towards the top 5. Lodge stopped the clock in position 8 overall and was looking to race 1 to try and continue his progress.

The excitement had built to race 1 on Saturday and James was looking to move his way through the field. The Shamick Racing entry got away with no troubles and was able to move forward positions across the race. Lodge was pushing on the edge of the top 5 as he went into the crucial stages of the race. James was able to make his way into the top 5 and cross the line in 5th spot to finish Saturday’s racing.

Sunday morning arrived and Lodge and his team were excited to go racing! James got a clean get away and was racing inside the top 10 but was lacking straight line speed compared to the rest of the drivers. Lodge threw everything he had at the race crossing the line in position 7 overall. The team discovered post-race a couple of bent valves were hurting James’ straight line speed and pace.
Lodge was looking to come home with a clean car and do the best he had with his straight line speed. The Parolin Australian backed entry kept his spot in the top 10 in the early stages and was driving the wheels off his excel entry. James was still lacking straight line speed but was on the back of the top 5 giving it everything he had! Lodge crossed the line in a brilliant position 6 to round out his weekend of racing in style.

James father Simon spoke post weekend on his son’s tough weekend of racing. “James did a great job considering a couple of bent valves which hurt our straight line speed. To come inside the top 10 in qualifying and all 3 races was a great result and our next goal is to be pushing hard for podiums”. Lodge will be back on circuit this weekend in his Parolin go kart at the final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship!