Karting News Briefs


  11 February 2015
 

karting news from here and around the globe...

  • Pucka's all ripped up! The Eastern Lions Kart Club's planned resurfacing of the Hume International Raceway is underway. It was hoped it would be completed within the first few weeks of February, however there have been some issues with the sub-base of the track that are currently being investigated and rectified. As such, the facility remains closed. While there will be no change to the layout, the club decided to re-do the entire track to avoid a patchup job. "We are fixing the track correctly so it lasts another 20 years" the club's Ross Harrod advised KartSportNews. While an actual date has not been announced, it is believed they should be up and running again by the end of March.

    pics - Ross Harrod


  • With the winners of the Bathurst 12-hour having Playstation backgrounds (as opposed to karting), maybe we karters need to change tact with how the sport is marketed? Online racing is a serious threat to karting - it's cheaper and arguably just as competive. And now it's got a run on the board as a source of serious driving talent. Karting Australia has the hashtag #RacingStartsHere. Maybe it should include something like "Karting - keeping it real"?

  • WSK Champions Cup - videos of the finals from Round 1 at La Conca with English commentary (there is also a bunch of driver interviews from rounds 1 and 2 on the Tkart YouTube channel HERE).


    Above: KF (gets red flagged on lap 8 when it starts to rain, then resumes on wets)


    Above: KF-Junior


    Above: 60 Mini



  • Reigning IAME X30 international kart champion Josh Smith (from Arnside, England) is to make the transition from karts to cars in the new junior MSA Formula, the Racing Steps Foundation announced last Friday. The 15 year-old Brit – who has competed in UK and international KFJ class karting with RSF backing for the past two years – will race with Fortec Motorsports in the new single-seater category.

  • Work on the new Weipa dirt karting facility in Far North Queensland is coming along nicely! The AIDKA sanctioned Weipa Kart Club is due to host the Queensland State Championships in September.



    pic - WDK/Facebook

  • Our Kiwi cousins are looking at the possibility of replacing the popular Yamaha KT100S in 2016 with an alternative engine. Kartsport New Zealand President Graeme Moore wrote there is a "team responsible for researching a sensible, easily operated and maintained option given Yamaha KT100 availability is expected to become tighter over coming years." A Kartsport New Zealand update (read it HERE) also mentions the Rotax EVO, saying "KartSport New Zealand must manage the conflict of expectations between elite racers with strong funding who demand the latest product and our entry and club class karters who look to us to protect their investment in existing machinery."

  • The TOTAL merchandise for the Cadet giveaways at the Victorian Country Series has landed. Round one is at Portland this weekend.


  • PLENTY of stock of IAME KA100s at Remo Racing headquarters! "We have 500 IAME Reedjet engines in stock and ready for immediate delivery" Remo Racing advised KartSportNews. "Available from all reputable kart shops in Australia or call us on (03) 5382 0241 for a dealer nearest you. Engines are $2990 and come complete with all hardware ready to race." Further information at www.remoracing.com.au and www.facebook.com/remoracing


  • V8 Ute racer Cam Wilson is attempting another karting World Record (see earlier press release HERE). Organisers tell us the fundraising (to help Queenslanders impacted by Huntington’s diseaseis) is going well and is closing on $6,000 - however the target is $48,000. Donations to the effort can be made via the everydayhero fundraising website HERE.

  • Never let a lack of limbs or restriction of mobility prevent you from taking to the kart track. Jean-Claude Planque and Thibault Bultez pose with their modified karts. The duo competes in Racing Handicaps Development Association events in Europe. Jean-Claude (left) is currently planning a new record project - "300kmh - without hands"!

    pics - Racing Handicap/Facebook


  • Italian motors in the USA is offering to trade in any running TaG engine for their new X125T (below). More info HERE.


  • The maximum number of drivers accepted for each category has been increased to accommodate all the requests to compete at the 20th Winter Cup and the 40,000 Euro Bridgestone Supercup at Lonato, South Garda, on February 19-22. KF Junior has been extended to 90 entrants (but currently has 82) while KZ2 currently has 82, with 51 in Mini Rok and 44 in KF.


  • Organisers of the 26th Andrea Margutti Trophy at the same venue have also capped the entry level for the same four classes on offer: "To grant a better organization of the whole weekend, all categories will be subject to an enrollment restriction. The maximum number of drivers accepted for each category follows: KF Junior - 72 drivers, KZ2 - 54 drivers, KF - 34 drivers, 60 Mini - 45 drivers."



  • Some stuff doing the rounds on social media:



  • Victoria & South Australia have accepted an X30 class proposal from Remo Racing to offer an 'arrive-and-drive' package at the IAME International Final. "The following letter was sent to all Australian States, WA, NSW, SA, VIC, NT, TAS and QLD and we are proud to announce that VICTORIA and SOUTH AUSTRALIA have accepted our generous sponsorship proposal" Remo Racing advised.

    • Letter sent to all Australian State Associations - 18/12/14

      We write to you with an offer that we sincerely hope will allow us to join together in one of the most significant promotions that Australian karting has ever seen.

      2015 sees a number of changes to the Kart Event landscape with the most significant being the creation of the new Australian Kart Championship Series and the 7 new State Championship Series.

      The IAME X30 class will be offered at the Australian Kart Championship Series and the prize pool on offer will include 2 Arrive & Drive packages at the IAME International Final valued at $18,000.

      With your cooperation combined with the financial support from DPE Kart Technology, Remo Racing, IAME and MG Tyres, we would like to take X30 Class promotion to the highest possible level by offering to a series in each state, 1 Arrive & Drive package at the IAME International Final to the winner of X30 LIGHT CLASS (160kg).

      The combined value of this equates to a total of $63,000.00.

      The only support that we are requesting from your State Association is to agree to take part in this major promotion within Australian karting by agreeing to offer IAME X30 classes at your main State Series.

      In addition to the promotional activities detailed above we also plan to investigate (subject of course to Karting Australia and State Association approval) the potential promotion of a single event towards the end of the year which would see X30 Class competitors from each of the State Championship Series come together to compete in an event of a new kind. We have some exciting new ideas to put on the table one of which could see karters representing their state in a form of “Interstate Rivalry” not seen before.

      Let’s join together and get karting in 2015 started with a big bang!!! All we need to make this happen is to receive your support by agreeing ASAP to offer IAME X30 classes at your main state series.

      We wait in hope and anticipation of your prompt response.

      Regards,
      Bart Price & Remo Luciani.

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