DAP RETURNS – Kart Republic has re-birthed the famous DAP brand, introducing it to the organisation’s list of chassis models. “We are incredibly proud to be merging forces with such an historic brand, and we are very much looking forward to see the new jewel racing around tracks all over the globe!” KR Global Motorsport posted on social media. It is believed the original DAP owner, Angelo Parrilla, is not involved.
In Australia, the local Kart Republic agent, Tom Williamson Motorsport, will add the DAP brand to the existing KR nameplates they import and distribute. Interestingly, Williamson himself used to race DAPs back in the day with Ken Mitchell’s Racing Kart Services. Enquiries should be directed to TWM – tomwilliamsonmotorsport.com.au
AIDKA ANGELS – The Australian Independent Dirt Kart Association has made a donation of $1,600 to Angel Flight on behalf of its members. “Angel Flight is a charity which coordinates non-emergency flights to assist country people to access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distances and high travel costs” AIDKA posted. The dirt karting organisation takes $1 from every kart licence sold during the year to then forward to its chosen charity. The nominated charity for 2023 will be announced soon.
LANDO LAPS – Lando Norris on a kart sim:
F1 MOJOs – These are a thing; Pirelli branded MOJO kart tyres! A hobbyist is 3D-printed scaled down BBS F1 wheels, fitting them in used kart tyres and adding Pirelli soft compound markings to make replica F1 wheels of about 1/3 scale.
AKC PERTH – Need to get your gear across the Nullarbor for the AKC round in Perth? Parolin Australia is taking expressions of interest – email address is on the image below.
MINI TRUCK – The CRG Racing Department has added a new race truck for the 2023 season and it will be specifically for its customers in the Mini category. “The need to cover competitive programs different from the international categories, has led the CRG management to create a logistics and technical staff completely dedicated to the MINI class” the organization posted. CRG’s MINI team will be managed by the CRG Racing Department with Mariano De Faveri as technical supervisor and Carlo Pacitto as Team Manager.
RE-LIVE RMCGF – Rotax is remembering how much of a blast it was at the Kartódromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal for the 2022 Grand Finals. “We always love to experience the thrilling races packed with action and the passion of our worldwide drivers and meeting the whole Rotax Family for THE event of the karting year” the organisation posted with this review clip.
ROTAX 2023 – While the qualification criteria for Australian drivers is yet to be announced, the 2023 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will take place at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit from December 2 to 9. It will be the second time the venue has hosted the event and will feature races in the daytime and under floodlights in the evening.
FLOODED – Don’t bitch about how wet the track is next time it rains at your club…
WAITING, WAITING – The racer in everyone, waiting to be unleased on the new season…
NUMBER HOLD – In the spirit of ‘use it or lose it’, The Endurance Karting Association will no longer allow teams to freely hold on to a race number unless they have raced with that number during the previous season. Any team that wants to reserve a number they did not use last year must pay $200 to TEKA to secure it. There is no charge to hold a team’s number if they had used it in 2022. New teams wishing to compete in 2023 should contact TEKA for the list of available race numbers.
FSC MASTERS – TaG 125 Masters has now officially been included in the 2023 Festival State Cup series. The class will run combined with TaG 125 Heavy with fastest qualifier to the front and separate class winners awarded if the minimum entries to form each category is achieved.
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SIZE MATTERS – Who wants to race on the longest sprint kart track in Australia? The City of Sydney Titles next month will be run on a staggering 1,700 metre 32-turn layout at Sydney Premier Karting Park.
F1 COACH – While back in Australia for Christmas and the New Year, Australia’s latest F1 driver Oscar Piastri visited his old club and old team, catching up with Melbourne Kart Centre staff and customers at Oakleigh. “Great day at the track with some of the MKC team, thanks Oscar Piastri for coming down to have a steer and give the kids something to remember” MKC posted. “And FYI , Osc loves the new track layout.”
STATE REGS – Karting Victoria has issued a second version of its 2023 State Regulations. The main changes are listed below (and appear in red in the full document, which can be downloaded HERE).
- Cadet and Junior endorsements – Cadet D grade and Junior D grade drivers must have at least 2 D to C grade endorsements before entering a Zonal, State Series, State Cup or State Trophy event. Dispensation is granted for the requirement of 2 endorsements until the 1st February 2023.
- Cameras – Cameras are compulsory and are to be fitted from the first practice session. Cameras must comply with Technical Rules, at all times while on Track, Chapter 1 Rule 8 i) (iv) & Class, Refer to specific Class Rules.
SSSTARSSSS – With the return of Grenfell and Wagga, the 2023 Southern Star Series will run over five rounds, commencing at the undulating Orange circuit next month.
RULE BOOK – Karting NSW published its 2023 Rule Book last week. “The IAME X30 specs and IAME 100 Reedjet specs have been updated” KNSW advised on social media. To view the main Rulebook, plus the Handbooks for the various disciplines of karting, click/tap HERE. The Change Summary document is HERE.
LOW MOUNT – Are you banging your elbow on the cylinder head? The Odenthal Racing Products PRO series 5-degree low-profile engine mount is the mount Patrizicorse recommend for the KA100 engine. “Precision machined from 6061-T6 Aluminum and lightweight! This mount gets the motor a little lower which gives the driver more elbow room.” Product number is SKU: OD-PROLOW-5 at Patrizicorse.com
APPOINTMENTS – Drew Russell has been appointed Director of Group Welfare and Karting Operations Northern Area with Karting NSW. He will also be looking after the Endurance Clubs. “Drew has been involved with Motorsport since an extremely early age with his first go kart race as a driver being 23 years ago” KNSW advised. Russell has raced in the Bathurst 1000 (2015), runs the family’s business, Go-Karts-Go, and has designed and manufactured a twin engine endurance chassis which has won multiple championships. Darren Chick is now Director of Member Training and Education. Tony Taylor (Director of Group Welfare and Karting Operation Metro Area) will take on the role of Acting Director of Group Welfare and Karting Operation Southern Area whilst Phil Middleton fulfils the role of Acting Chair.
BOLD OPINIONS – Kart manufacturer and founder of the Intrepid brand, Mirko Sguerzoni, reckons changes need to be made to cap spending at karting’s top level and there needs to be a clear distinction between titled and non-titled races. Sguerzoni told Vroom magazine there should be just one world title, an FIA Championship spread over 10 to 12 rounds that is open only to the official teams run by the manufacturers. He feels the sport has to avoid the paradox of manufacturers competing against professional teams that use their same material. “I, as a manufacturer, have to compete and defeat those who use my chassis…” Sguerzoni also said that one-make series, to an extent, “do not serve the interest of karting and drivers, but simply the organizing company”. Read the full interview with on Vroom HERE.
CAN YOU KAC? – Karting Australia has reminded its clubs to have their Karting Activity Controllers ready to go for any social karting activities. People who are a recognised KA official (any level) are already authorised to KAC, however non-officials can also become accredited to oversee social karting. Interested people should contact their club.
SPEEDWAY NATS – Nominations will open soon for the 2022/23 SKAA Australian Speedway Kart Championship. This will be held at Avalon Raceway near Geelong on March 10 through 12. The event will use the main track.
UNREGISTERED – Don’t do this boys and girls.
PINEAPPLES & KIDS – After a massive 2022 with an average of 225 entries per club round, Ipswich Kart Club is looking to start the 2023 season with a huge race meeting on Saturday February 4, the IKC Cadet Titles and opening round of the Pineapple Cup. The club advises Cadet 12 has already received 37 entries (the track capacity is 40). The Cadet drivers will have qualifying in the morning, followed by three heats and a 14-lap Final. The meeting is also the first round of the club’s 2023 championship. The three-round IKC Pineapple Cup is to allow Gearbox/KZ2 & KA2 Junior drivers to have plenty of opportunity to run their karts at Ipswich prior to the AKC round at the venue in July. Pineapple Cup dates are:
- February 4
- April 1
- June 10 & 11
NEWSY NEWS – Have you got some karting news? Flick us a message or email – SEE HERE.
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