LEICESTER captain Max Fricke finished fifth in the opening round of the Australian Championship series at Gillman on Friday.
Fricke scored 11 points from his qualifying races, including a hat-trick of wins, but he was eliminated from the meeting in the first semi-final.
That race saw him miss out to Brady Kurtz and Keynan Rew after an early battle with the Birmingham newcomer.
The second semi-final saw defending champion Rohan Tungate crash out as Chris and Jack Holder made it through at the expense of Zach Cook.
Kurtz was then unchallenged in the Final as he took the win ahead of Jack Holder, Chris Holder and Rew.
It means Kurtz has 18 points after the first of four rounds, with Fricke seven points behind in fifth place.
The Australian title race continues at Mildura on Sunday, with the meeting being live streamed on BSN.
