Drivers from the home state were the stars of the show during qualifying for the Queensland State Karting Championships at the Mackay kart track in Palmyra, just south of Mackay, today.

Leading the way for the Sunshine State were local drivers Shannon Price and Bevan Garioch.

Competing in three categories across the weekend, Price was the fastest qualifier in both the Senior National Light and Heavy categories and fourth fastest in the highly competitive Clubman Light field aboard his Hurst Racing Engines-powered Arrow Karts.

While pleased with his qualifying results the 19 year-old, who is chasing his first state championship since starting his career 12 years ago, is fully aware that the competition will be tough this weekend.

“During the last two practice days I was scratching my head trying to find some pace but it all seemed to come together today,” said Price.

“I’ve never won a state championship before, so hopefully this year can be my year – it would be great to win on my home track in front of my family and friends.

“In both of the Senior National classes Jarryd Ebzery will be tough, as will Luke Caputo (both of whom are also from Mackay) in the Light class.

“The Clubman field is probably the most competitive that we’ve ever seen here at Mackay with the likes of Ben Stewart, Jason Burns, Tyler Greenbury and Chris Hays, all of whom have won state and national titles, right up there near the front. I’m really looking forward to being among the action.”

Price is supported in his quest to become State Champion this weekend by Subway, McAleese Transport and Kart 1.

Garioch used his local track knowledge to qualify ahead of 50-time State Champion Remo Luciani in the Clubman Over 40s class with Townsville’s Scott Armstrong third fastest.

“It is a great way to start the weekend, I suppose you could say that the local knowledge helped me a bit but there is still a long way to go,” said Garioch.

“Remo and I have had some good battles over the last couple of years but he seems to make it count when it matters most, hopefully I can turn the tables on him this weekend.

“This is the club’s biggest ever meeting and everyone involved should really be congratulated on the presentation of the venue. A little over three months ago this place was almost flattened due to the cyclone that hit but everyone in the club has worked tirelessly to make sure this event would go ahead.

“It is great to see so many interstate visitors along with a heap of Queenslanders from other parts of the state here and I hope that they enjoy their time in Mackay.”

Continuing the good run for the Garioch family was Bevan’s son Justin who set the second fastest time in the Clubman Heavy class behind Gold Coast-based driver Brendan Nelson.

The battle lines will be drawn in the Leopard Light category with state pride on the line. Queeslander (Gladstone) Cian Fothergill was the fastest qualifier today, finishing 0.01 seconds clear of New South Wales pilot Fergus Symes.

“I was a little bit disappointed because I got caught in traffic on my fastest lap but with the times being so close it should produce some great racing across the weekend,” said Symes.

“Cian knows this track quite well and this is my first time here but I’ll be doing everything I can to take the championship back across the border to New South Wales at the end of the weekend.”

In the battle of the youngsters it was Western Australian Joshua Wood who topped the timesheets ahead of Victorian Reece Sidebottom, who is the reigning Tasmanian and South Australian Champion, in the Midgets category.

New South Wales driver Pierce Lehane has continued his good run of form in 2010, which sees him leading the CIK Stars of Karting Series in Pro Junior (KF3), by setting the fastest time during qualifying for the Formula JMA category today.

The opening round of heat races are being contested this afternoon before racing continues tomorrow with the Championship Finals scheduled for Sunday