Nineteen year old Kaiden Manders has experienced a tough weekend in the Chariots of Thunder Series double header at the Northline Speedway in Darwin.
In his first full season driving a 410 Sprintcar for the J&S Drilling team, Manders was up against a 30 car field that contained several Australian Champions plus many other very experienced drivers.
Friday night action saw the J&S Drilling #60 driver set the fastest qualifying time around the 402 metre Northline oval.
Manders started second in his first 10-lap heat race, and led for most of the journey, only to be passed on the final lap by two-times Australian Sprintcar titleholder David Murcott.
He came out of position six in his next outing, moved up to third only to again be passed by Murcott in the closing stages.
The main event of the evening - the 30-lap "Defend the Top End" - saw Manders involved in a first lap accident and unfortunately sidelined.
On Saturday he lined up in his first heat in position 6 and had worked his way up to fourth at the flag.
In his second heat race Manders raced from position six up to as high as second and crossed the line in third spot.
He started sixth in the 30-lap Pope 65 Bob Ekins Memorial race and was shuffled down to tenth before working his way back to ninth.
Obviously the talented youngster is on a steep learning curve - but he is gaining valuable lap time that will serve him well in the future.
The Darwin experience continues this coming weekend with meetings on both Friday and Saturday.

The J&S Drilling W60 team wish to acknowledge the support of their loyal sponsors who enable us to keep on racing.
Many thanks to – Non Stop 24hr Fitness, Neptune Skip Bins, PJW Haulage, S&J Excavations and Mandurah Bolt Supplies, Cowara Contractors.

Press Release
Prepared for J&S Drilling by Ken Brown
0421173271

PHOTO - Kaiden Manders (60) races wheel to wheel with Victorian Domain Ramsay at the Northline Speedway in Darwin (Image by Sphynx Photography).