Karting: Ronan races out of dad's shadow

Ronan Murphy, left, with grandfather Kevin Murphy and father Greg Murphy in the pits during Hawke's Bay's Blossom Karting meeting at the weekend. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

Ronan Murphy gave his famous father Greg, the Hawke's Bay-born V8 star and four-time Bathurst 1000 winner, and grandfather Kevin Murphy plenty to smile about on Father's Day weekend.

Hawke's Bay 13-year-old Ronan did the best of the Hawke's Bay competitors in the eight-strong Junior Yamaha class at Kartsport Hawke's Bay's 47th annual Blossom Sprint Meeting at Chemz Raceway. The Hereworth School student finished fourth and took home the trophy for the best performed driver making their first appearance at the Blossom meeting which attracted more than 100 competitors from as far away ad Whangarei.

"Ronan has only raced at six club days so we were pleased," his grandfather said.

Club president Alan McNicol said it was the wettest Blossom for at least 15 years and drivers did well to adapt to the conditions.

Four Hawke's Bay drivers recorded podium finishes. They were Simon Frater with a second in the Club Sport 120 class, Benjamin Hibbs with a second in the Cadet class, Jonathan Pearson with a third in the Open class and Jack Bridgeman with third in Rotax Light.

Greg Murphy proved he still had the necessary skills for this form of motorsport, which he first tasted 34 years ago as an eight-year-old, when he did a couple of laps to set a "hot lap" as part of a radio station competition. He also brought an ex-Australian V8 Supercar to display at the two-day meeting.