MORE than 40 competitors from throughout North Queensland took to the Whitsunday Raceway at the weekend for the annual Great Barrier Reef karting titles.

Now in its third year, the Great Barrier Reef Titles was the biggest meet of the calendar year for the Whitsunday Raceway, due to the state titles being held elsewhere.

The race meeting consisted of a six-minute qualifying session for each of the seven classes, plus two heats, a pre-final and a final.

Sportsman Heavy was the feature class for the titles, with 11 entrants duking it out for the $800 in prizemoney generously sponsored by local businesses the Airlie Beach Hotel, Airlie Brake and Suspension, Quick Lube Mechanical and Airlie Auto Recyclers.

The Sportsman Heavy Class featured the current Queensland state champion and local club member Robert Thorburn, plus previous state champions Justin Garioch and Bevan Garioch.

The class was the biggest of the weekend, with 11 competitors packing out the field.

There was some close racing across all classes, particularly in the 16-lap final that was a test of concentration and strength.

The event was also sponsored by HD-Xposure, Whitsunday Karts and Parts, Whitsunday Automotive and All Spraying and Anaconda III.

Race secretary Maddy Thorburn said feedback from the event had been "really positive" and the club had already received numerous thank you notes from happy participants.

"I think the competitors really enjoyed it," she said.

WINNERS:

Cadet 12: Tristan Lambert

Junior Clubman: Keelan Dunston

TAG 125 Heavy: Wayne Boylett

Cadet 9: Dylan Le Garde

Junior National Light: Zachary Ewing

Junior National Heavy: Nathan Hadlow

Sportsman heavy: Robert Thorburn