Karting News Roundup
- a note to kart clubs and industry – send us your news, we’ll tell the world…
SUPER USA – Superkarts will compete at the United States Karting Grand Prix in July. While most of the racing at the USKGP will be on the sprint track at Utah Motorsports Campus, the Superkarts will use the larger road race circuit. The Superkart Shootout will cater for 250cc single cylinder 2-strokes plus 4-strokes up to 450cc. There’s four grand (US dollars) of prize money to be spread across the top three of the Final.
STICK IT 1st – Tasmanian Cruz Kelly’s beautifully presented Cadet 9 racer carried some KartSportNews stickers at the Pucka Golden Power Series round. Cruz took the machine to victory in the 9-lap final – well done Kiddo! You can get KartSportNews stickers too – packs of 10 delivered for $7 (offer valid for Australian addresses only). See the merch page HERE.
RIP RON – The Victorian Superkart Club has expressed its condolences on the passing of Ron McIntyre. Father of kart racers Colin and Jason (dec), Ron was a regular and popular face at the track. He was there supporting his boys from when they started out in sprint karts back in the day, plus many many years in Superkarts.
“It is with much sadness that we note the passing of Ron McIntyre” the club stated. “The deep support given to his racing family and our club is very much appreciated and will be fondly remembered. We will miss you at the circuits we race race at. Sincerest condolences to Ron’s family and extended family and friends.”
COMEBACK – Former Toro Rosso Formula 1 driver Jaime Alguersuari is planning a comeback to motorsport in the KZ shifter class at the world karting championship. Prior to COVID, Spaniard worked as a professional musician. Unable to perform in night clubs, Alguersuari has been testing karts, which re-lit his interest. The now 30-year-old explained he “struggled a lot after F1”. He stressed there are no specific goals other than to have fun, but said he would need to be competitive in order to consider taking things further.
KZ CAPERS – Here’s a very good KZ2 highlights video from last month’s NSW Super Series round. “It was so hard to cram what was an unbelievable weekend of racing in just 4 minutes” the series posted. “Lap records tumbled, KZ2 rookie Cody Maynes-Rutty showed he is a serious contender by taking the fight to the reigning champion, Reece Cohen. Daniel Orsini had to fight tooth and nail for the win in KZ2 Masters with Glenn Linnett, Craig Deans and Michael Pesce all wanting the top step as badly as him.”
DATE CHANGE – Geelong Kart Club has moved the date of the annual Val Findlay Memorial race meeting. The event has been re scheduled to Sunday 10th October 2021. “This is to ensure the smooth running of the event. This date will ensure the best result for our members and the meeting itself” the club posted. The event will be run as an ‘open’ meeting, not restricted to just Geelong members.
TRACK FUNDING – Congratulations to the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club on receiving a $500,000 grant from the Victorian State Government’s Community Motorsport Program. The grant will assist, in conjunction with a loan from the Karting Australia Track Development Fund and funding from Karting Victoria, for an extension and upgrade of the circuit.
IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS – On board with Jordie Ford, setting a new lap record at The Bend on 10/4/21 for a 250cc International Division 1 Gearbox Superkart: 1min 46.696s. “My max speed is 240kph on this lap” Ford told KartSportNews. “Braking g-force is 2.3g, high speed apex g-force is 3.14G at 211kph.”
NEW PRODUCT – OMP’s KS-1 PRO Rib Vest is the first to meet the FIA’s new homologation standard FIA 8870-2018. Available through IKD (International Karting Distributors), the OMP vest has a polycarbonate outer with inner lining in nitrile rubber and shockproof memory foam that dissipates energy. The KS-1 PRO offers protection to the driver’s ribs, front and back and has adjustable shoulder and lateral straps and shaped front for maximum comfort. There’s even a spare inner padding kit (10mm thicker) to enable a perfect fit for the skinniest bodies. More information, or to get it online at IKD: https://www.internationalkarting.com.au/shop/category/…
SNELL UPDATE – The Snell-K2020 standard is now part of the current FIA standards that are recognised for FIA Karting competition. The FIA’s standards for Karting helmets are HERE. The FIA’s list of recognised standards for helmets (and their expiration) plus the list of certified SNELL/FIA helmets (the model and sizes for each brand) is on the FIA website HERE.
CLUB/TRACK – Following approval of a State Government grant (see previous news item), the Oakleigh Kart Club has revealed its planned track extension that will create a facility with multiple track layout options. “The original sections of the track at turn 1 and the 2-3-4 complex will be retained to allow us to run multiple different circuit configurations while the new sections will create a faster more flowing track” the club posted.
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SUPERNATS ON – SKUSA has announced its SuperNationals 24 will be the only karting event at the Rio Hotel in 2021. After missing 2020 due to COVID, the SuperNats will return to Vegas on December 1 to 5.
POLITICS – Karting NSW has appointed Matt Hill to the role of Director of Group Welfare and Karting Operations – Southern Zone. The role also includes Speedway and endurance karting. “Matt is an endurance karting specialist and brings with him extensive karting experience” KNSW advised. “Matt is also a member of the Engine Review Committee and has a wealth of knowledge in regard to both 2 stroke and 4 stroke karting.”
DAN’S LEGACY – The two sons of the late Dan Wheldon, Sebastian (12) and Oliver (10), have been signed as Junior Drivers for the Andretti Autosport team. “We see a lot of Dan in both Sebastian and Oliver and are very proud to officially welcome them into our racing family” said Michael Andretti. “(We’re) happy to offer a network for mentorship to help the boys grow their careers. Karting is the first step.” Under the new mentorship program, the Wheldons will carry the Andretti shield into three national level karting series, Rok Cup USA, Super Karts USA and United States Pro Kart Series.
RACE GEAR – Here’s the new for 2021 range of Rookie Balaclavas for karting from Sparco, available in one of 5 vibrant colours! Features:
- Material – 100% cotton for perfect comfort
- Extra flat seams to reduce pressure points
- Single eye-opening
- One-size fits all
- Available in 5 colours: Blue / White / Yellow / Black / Red
- SHOP ONLINE at IKD: https://www.internationalkarting.com.au/…/balaclava
TYRE TROUBLE – With Bridgestone experiencing supply difficulties, the FIA has confirmed MG Tires will be the exclusive supplier for this years FIA Karting Championships, Cups and Trophies organised on the European continent, plus the World Championship in Brazil. The FIA was “made aware that Bridgestone is no longer able to supply tyres… due to logistical problems related to COVID-19. In light of this situation, and acting in the best interests of the Sport, it was important for the FIA to find a viable and immediate alternative solution for the supply of tyres for events to be held on the European continent in 2021.” As such, Bridgestone will no longer be the brand responsible for supplying tyres in any of the four FIA Karting categories. The decision does not affect Superkarts.
VIC KZ2 SERIES? – The Geelong Kart Club is looking to hear from karters who might be interested in taking part in a quality KZ race series on the newly reconfigured circuit at Geelong. “There are several sponsors willing to back a Victorian-based series and this would be a great way to drag all those unused KZ karts out of the shed” the club’s Dominic Albanese informed KartSportNews. Interested persons should email their interest to the club (address: gkc10@outlook.com) and include name of possible drivers/teams and return contact details.
COME-N-TRY – The Ipswich Kart Club recently conducted its second Come-and-Try Karting day for 2021. “After not being able to host Come and Try Days in the second half of last year due to the COVID restrictions, Ipswich Kart Club has been very active this year” the club’s Russell Innes told KartSportNews. “So far our two Come and Try Days have introduced many new people to karting.”
At the most recent day, Kaos Karting attended as the Industry Partner and the IKC members who volunteered their time were fantastic in their support of the participants. IKC plan to host at least two more Come and Try Days this year. Those interested should register by sending an email to jnrdevelopment@ipswichkartclub.org.au
POLL RESULT – After Luca Corberi was handed a 15-year ban for his behaviour at the World Championships last year, we asked what you thought of the sentence. 45% of respondents thought the penalty appropriate for the behaviour. Of the remaining 55% who did not, around two-thirds considered the penalty too severe while the other third thought it should have been harsher.
BATHURST BLOCK – Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has signed a 10-year protection order that blocks the building of a kart track on top of Mt Panorama, Bathurst. The Bathurst Regional Council earmarked the site for a go-kart track in 2015. According to the ABC, Ley called on Council to find another location for the track. “It’s a good project and it’s meaningful and it has community support but it just can’t be in this particular location on the top of Mount Panorama.” More on the ABC website HERE.
AWARDS GALA – The 2021 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship Gala Awards Dinner presented by Castrol EDGE will be held at the NEX (Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre) at the conclusion of the final round, on Sunday August 29.
NEWSLETTER – Karting NSW’s April newsletter is now online. Click HERE to have a read of the 20-page document.
INDUSTRY / PRODUCT – A new kart has hit the market in Australia. Hyper Kart is made in Italy for Lloyd Bilick’s Perth-based Elite Karts. Direct drive (TaG, 100cc etc), KZ and Cadet chassis will be available. Bilick said the machines are manufactured at the TB Kart factory, but there are differences to the TBs to account for the current tyres. “These are the first Hyper Karts and Australia is the only country to have them right now” he added. There’s also a full range of suits and matching apparel.
BURN FROM THE STERN – On-board with Rueben Goodall during an AKC heat race at Bolivar; started last, finished first! Thanks to Matt Wall for spotting this.
PRO TOUR – Registrations have opened for the 2021 Rotax Pro Tour! Running for the first time outside of the Karting Australia umbrella, this year’s series will have seven Championship classes (Micro, Mini, Junior, Senior Light, Senior Heavy, DD2, DD2 Masters) plus a club-level category (Senior Restricted at 177kg). Commencing at Warwick June 4-6, the four round tour also takes in Coffs Harbour, Geelong and Canberra. Download the series’ Sporting regulations HERE.
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