Three times back-to-back Australian Super Sedan Champion John Kapiris launched his bid for a fourth Championship in winning fashion recently at Alice Springs Inland Dragway.

As the 2015/2016 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series got underway in the Red Centre, Kapiris secured a second Desert Nationals crown in a row. 

In the process he made the most of the 50% travel bonus made available to competitors at the Desert Nationals who contest at least one additional Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series round in the same season. 

“It feels good to kick off the season with a round win,” said Kapiris. “And two wins in a row at Alice is a bonus. The trip is always interesting; you always meet someone new on the way. 

“Alice is a nice track to race at and with more Summit rounds there and more to come they keep on improving – and seeing a track grow from year to year makes you want to go back every time.” 

The event win did not come without it’s share of fortune as the three-time defending champ was thankful for a -.078 red light in Round 1 by Alice Springs local Geraldine Willox allowing him to run the HQ out the back door on a break out. 

Kapiris then followed that victory with round wins against George Tipouikidis and Marco Tolomeo to take his place in the final against Brett Matthew. 

Dual red lights would settle the score with Kapiris’ lesser -.010 infringement to Matthew’s -.072 enough for back-to-back Desert Nationals, the Silver Tree and a haul of early Championship points. 

The next time Kapiris takes to the track in his hometown Adelaide for the Springnationals, the 50% bonus will kick in, increase his total and likely maintain the Championship lead. Not that he needs it with the consistency he has displayed the past three years. 

“Consistency is never worrying about running a number, just run the car as it is racing-wise. Burn out. Staging. Gear changing. Don’t change any thing at all, same same, same.” 

Round 2 of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series next moves onto the Springnationals at Adelaide International Raceway October 17-18.

Image: Dave Hope