Reigning New Zealand KZ2 class Sprint champion Mathew Kinsman from Auckland and 2017 title holder, Palmerston North-born but now Sydney-based Dylan Drysdale, are set to take on some of the world’s best karters at Australia’s annual Race of Stars international invitational kart meeting on Queensland’s Gold Coast today and tomorrow.
The pair are two of seven Kiwi karters who have crossed the Tasman this week to contest the sixth annual event, the others being Josh Bethune (Rotax DD2). Liam Sceats (KA2) and Sebastian Manson (Cadet 12) from Auckland, Emerson Vincent (Cadet 12) from Pukekohe, and Ryan Wood (Rotax DD2) from Wellington.
Recent CIK-FIA 2018 International KZ2 SuperCup runner-up Daniel Bray is also at the meeting but working in his capacity as driver mentor and engine tuner for top Australian team Patrizicorse.
The entry for the premier KZ2 class at the meeting at the Xtreme Karting Complex at Pimpama is headed by recently re-crowned (the 2018 title is now his third) World KZ class champion Paolo De Conto from Italy (CRG) who has won the KZ2 class title at the Gold Coast for the past two years, and includes two-time French champion Anthony Abbasse (Sodi Kart), Italian KZ2 champion Lorenzo Camplese (Evo Kart) and Dutchmen Martijn Kremers (Ricciardo Kart) and Joey Hansen (CRG).
The three-day meeting is part of the big SuperFest promotion leading up to the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 Supercar race on the streets of Surfers Paradise over the October 20-21 weekend.