Veterans Set For Title Tilt In Lithgow
| AKA media | 2 October 2013 |
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Between them, Jason Varley and Mike Hazelton won three National Championships during the nineties and now after a break from the sport they’re chasing more glory on the karting track.
The pair is this weekend amongst the 300-plus competitors who will line up for the New South Wales State Championships to be held at the Lithgow City Raceway.
For Varley, the circuit is where he spent the majority of his youth racing against the likes of now V8 Supercar drivers Mark Winterbottom, Michael Caruso and James Courtney and holds some fantastic memories – which he hopes to add to this weekend.
Above: Jason Varley spent the majority of his youth racing at the Lithgow circuit
(Pic: quickpixels.com.au)
“I’ve been involved in the sport and raced all across Australia during that time but there is something special about racing in a major event on your home track,” said Varley.
“Over the years I’ve had some fantastic battles with a lot of talented drivers, and this weekend should be no different. Hopefully, I can come out on top though.”
Hazelton, who was the inaugural junior champion in the CIK Stars of Karting Series in 1993, will join Varley to compete in the highly competitive Clubman Heavy category that will feature a total of 33 drivers.
“After a several years away from the sport I had a drive a few years back which re-ignited my love for karting,” said 35 year-old Hazelton.
Above: After a several years away from the sport, Mike Hazelton had a drive a few years back which re-ignited his love for karting
(Pic: quickpixels.com.au)
“I really thrive on the competition and the thrill, it gives me an outlet that I thoroughly enjoy and to be able to take on the young blokes is fantastic - they race as hard as I used to.
“I’ve been at the front of Clubman Heavy a fair bit over the past few months, which is a good sign for this weekend, but in saying that I believe there will be 15 drivers who have a genuine chance of taking the win.”
Between Varley and Hazelton, they have won the past three New South Wales Closed State Championships in the category but face some tough opposition in the chase for the Open State crown this weekend.
Also on the grid in the category will be V8 Utes driver Kris Walton who will head straight from Lithgow to Bathurst where he will be competing the following weekend.
Varley and Hazelton are just two of an extensive list of Combined District Kart Club Members who are expected to fly the flag high for the local region at this weekend’s event. The Goodman brothers from Wallerwang and Lithgow (Christopher, Rodney and Bradley) are expected to figure prominently in the Leopard Light and Heavy classes.
Combined Districts Kart Club President Paul Giutini has spent many hours with his dedicated committee preparing the Lithgow venue for this weekend’s event. Now he’s got the next item on next agenda with his sons Aaron and Matthew suiting up in the Senior National and Clubman Heavy categories.
All in all, there will be action all throughout the weekend with 13 State Champions to be crowned on Sunday following three days of racing that begins with qualifying on Friday morning.
The Lithgow City Raceway is located on Oakley Forest Road at Marrangaroo.
To view the full entry list please click here.
