Memorial Weekend For Rotax Pro Tour In Geelong
| AKA media | 21 May 2013 |
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Competitors at this weekend’s Rotax Pro Tour event in Geelong, Victoria will be focusing on more than just a winner's trophy with the event doubling as the second annual Jason Richards Memorial.
The event, designed to honour the former kart racer and V8 Supercar driver, will see in excess of 130 competitors converge on the Corio Bay circuit to battle for victory in one of six karting categories, all of which are powered by 125cc Rotax engines.
Richards (right, EDGE Photographics), who at just 35 years of age tragically lost his battle with cancer 18 months ago, was a keen kart racer after starting his career at the age of eight at the Nelson kart track in his homeland of New Zealand.
He competed in karts competitively on both sides of the Tasman for almost a decade during his formative years resulting in an impressive 35 championship wins.
After advancing to cars, the likeable character would often return to various karting circuits both in Australia and New Zealand to give back anyway he could to the sport that provided him with so much joy.
In 2010, Richards competed in several Rotax Pro Tour karting events, including one at the Geelong circuit, in order to boost his race fitness and have some fun.
“Jason was always a fantastic supporter of not only the Rotax Pro Tour but karting in general and his loss has touched many of us in the sport,” said Rotax Pro Tour’s Ian Black.
“We wanted to honour him in a very special way. Last year, the event was held in conjunction with our Albury event, this year we’ve made it Geelong where Jason raced with us a couple of years ago.
“Along with the regular awards, we will be presenting the Jason Richards Memorial Award, which will not necessarily got to one of the front runners in their respective category but more so someone who has shown some of the traits that made JR such a popular competitor.
Above: Troy Woolston with the Jason Richards Award he was presented with at last year's event
“The Jason Richards Memorial Award is awarded to a driver who displays exceptional sportsmanship win lose or draw. Someone who has a hard charging attitude and always drives it like it is stolen, someone who has the ability to win, never gives up and is fiercely determined. Someone who most importantly, is always smiling....to quote JR himself “it’s not about the man in the fight….it’s about the FIGHT in the man.”
Last year’s recipient of the Award, Troy Woolston was honoured to be the inaugural recipient.
“It’s an absolute honour to be presented with this award, Jason was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word and always had time for everyone,” said Woolston.
“This award is something that I will very much treasure.”
While the likes of Daniel Rochford, Bradley Jenner and Tyler Greenbury will resume hostilities in the Rotax Light category, one notable absentee from the entry list is Pierce Lehane. The Sydneysider will miss the event due to him competing in round two of the Rotax Euro Challenge in Italy. 14-time National Champion David Sera will however be sure to keep the Pro Tour regulars on their toes in a guest appearance aboard his Arrow kart.
Queenslanders Brendan Nelson, Matt Greenbury and William Yarwood will be expected to figure prominently in the battle for the Rotax Heavy win alongside Melbourne’s Rick Pringle and local driver Daniel Richert.
Above: Tyler Greenbury was victorious at the most recent Rotax Pro Tour event in Newcastle
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Quickpixels.com.au
The largest field to assemble will be the Junior Rotax category with 32 drivers set to line up on the grid. The DD2 and DD2 Masters categories will see 17 drivers in each field, while 16 teenagers will battle it out in the Sodi Junior Rotax Trophy Class. The winner of the DD2 category will also receives the Jason Richards Cup.
Practice begins on Friday ahead of heat races on Saturday. The pre-finals and finals will be contested on Sunday.
