American Gator Returns Down Under


press release 5 May 2016

Young American racer Ira ‘Gator’ Mattice will travel to Australia for the third time, to contest the inaugural Kids Royal for Speedway Karts this Saturday at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway in Victoria.

Sydneysider Graham Keats, a multiple Australian Champion across a range of classes in Speedway Karts, first made racing in Australia a possibility for Mattice two years ago, by means of sponsorship and individual support.

“This is such a great opportunity, not only for Gator, but for Speedway Karts in Australia,” expressed Keats, who has been involved with helping make the Kids Royal event a reality.

“It’s a huge thrill for the kids to be able to talk to an American racer their own age and hear what it’s like to race in America, compared to their home country, but also get the chance to race against him out on the track.”

The Florida-based Mattice, who has been racing speedway since the age of four, will bring with him a wealth of experience in Speedway Karts, having won 114 feature races and with five Championships to his name in his home country. The 11-year-old Junior National class racer is locked in to race in Australia for the next five years.

Keats is also working on an idea to have Australian junior drivers travel to America to race, in order to give kids, like Mattice, the opportunity to race internationally and be exposed to different environments.

Keats credits the long list of supporters who have been involved in making Mattice’s trip to Australia possible.

“We have to give a huge thank you to our sponsors,” added Keats.

“This wouldn’t have been a possibility without all of their wonderful support.”

The Kids Royal event will consist of the 30-lap Kids Royal and the 20-lap Silver Crown, with Sub Juniors, Avalon Raceway's Junior 4 Strokes, Junior Standards and the inaugural Iron Man 55 on the massive program.

Keats and Mattice would like to thank the following American and Australian Sponsors:

  • America: Pink Magic Tire Prep, Burris Racing Tires, T4 Films, Todd Miller Race Engines, and BKP Art
  • Australia: GPS Motorsports, KOOL Freighters, Letter Art Signs, Action Team Wear, Full Throttle, Sevy44Racing, Temby Haulage, and Ricky’s B&B

 

 

Home



kartsportnews promo banner