International Top Ten For Sidebottom After Australian KF3 Success
| press release | 27 November 2015 |
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Victorian Reece Sidebottom has backed up his series victory in the KF3 category as part of the Australian Kart Championship with a top ten finish at the 2015 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portimao, Portugal as part of Team Australia’s thirteen driver contingent who made the journey to take on the World’s best.
Above: Australian KF3 Champion
It has been a successful year for Sidebottom, who, in October finished second overall in the Junior Max category as part of the Rotax Pro Tour with the result earning him the seat as part of Team Australia at the World Finals.
In addition to this, Reece managed to replicate his strong results by claiming the title victory in the Australian KF3 Championship. The win capped off a busy yet prosperous season for Reece at the elite level of Karting.
“We had a great year and learnt so much, making plenty of developments that helped to improve the setup of our Kart in both Junior Max and KF3" Sidebottom said.
"Racing against the best young drivers in Australian Karting is always a challenge and we have to remain on top of everything and gather as much data and work on our development as best as possible every time we are in the Kart,”
The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals marked Reece’s first event competing on the International stage and the extra elements added to racing against the best in the World was something that he managed to prosper with. After initially coming to terms with the highly competitive driving style, Sidebottom came home with a tenth place finish, the best of all of the Team Australia drivers.
Above: Reece and mechanic Brett Arnett on the grid at the Rotax Grand Finals
“It was such a great opportunity and experience to be part of Team Australia for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The atmosphere throughout the event was incredible and to be racing against the World’s best junior drivers was something I will never forget. Without doubt, it was the toughest event I have ever competed in, the driving style was very different to here in Australia so I had to adapt to that but overall it has given me so much experience to go on with for the rest of my career,” Sidebottom added.
Reece also admits that without the support of those around him, both at the track and between events, his success throughout the season and ability to race in Portugal wouldn’t have been possible. City Finance, SCT, Approved Plumbing, Tyrepower, Shamick and A1 Engines all contributed towards Sidebottom’s season which he is greatly appreciative of.
Above: On track in Portugal
“Without the ongoing support of my family, friends and sponsors this year wouldn’t have been possible. We have been very busy, travelling all over the country, attending the biggest Kart races in Australia and it requires a lot of hard work and commitment and we managed to deliver that right from the start. I have to especially thank Brett (Arnett), his support and advice has been invaluable and without him, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have achieved,” Sidebottom concluded.
Reece’s 2016 racing plans will be announced in coming months.