Arguably the three most significant trophies in Australian sprint kart racing these days is the trio of special silverware awarded to three drivers at the conclusion of the Australian Kart Championship.
The cups are named after significant kart racing identities – John Pizarro, Jon Targett and James Courtney. They will be presented to the 2023 champions at the AKC presentation gala after this weekend’s final round of the series.
Here’s a bit of their history…
The John Pizarro Trophy
This year’s Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Champion will have their name engraved on the John Pizarro Trophy named after one of the all-time legends of karting in Australia.
After starting off in karts at Granville in Sydney in 1964 John went on to score an amazing 15 National Championship victories. John competed in five world championships throughout his career, his first appearance coming in 1975 at the Paul Ricard circuit, an event he described as a ‘baptism of fire’.
The trophy will have extra meaning this year with John’s recent passing following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
John Pizarro Perpetual Trophy Honour Roll:
2022 – Joshua Fife
2021 – Troy Loeskow
2019 – Troy Loeskow
2018 – Aaron Cameron
2017 – Joshua Fife
2016 – David Sera
2015 – Jason Pringle
2014 – Joey Hanssen
2013 – Joey Hanssen
2012 – Chris Hays
2011 – Tyler Greenbury
2010 – Matthew Wall
2005 – Bart Price
2004 – Bart Price
2003 – Tyson Pearce
2002 – Jason Burns
The Jon Targett Trophy
As a driver, Jon Targett is the only Australian to have won a round of the European Formula Super A Championship. As a mechanic he was worked with some of the world’s best rising stars and as a mentor he helped guide James Courtney to a pair of World Karting Championships.
advertisement
It is for this reason that the Champion of Australia’s elite Junior category has their name etched on the Jon Targett Perpetual Trophy each year.
The engraver is warming up the etching tool to add Max Walton’s name to this list as he is Champion-elect entering the final round in Melbourne.
Jon Targett Perpetual Trophy Honour Roll:
2022 – Costa Toparis
2021 – Leon Cordato
2019 – Luke Pink
2018 – Kai Allen
2017 – Broc Feeney
2016 – Jack Doohan
2015 – Reece Sidebottom
2014 – Jayden Ojeda
2013 – Liam McLellan
2012 – Cameron Hill
2011 – Pierce Lehane
2010 – Pierce Lehane
2005 – Joshua Scott
2004 – Kristian Lindbom
2003 – Kristian Lindbom
2002 – Ben Chong Sun
2001 – Tim Slade
2000 – Andrew Thompson
1999 – Adam Graham
1998 – Neil McFadyen
1997 – Michael Caruso
1996 – Ryan Briscoe
1995 – Ryan Briscoe
1994 – Christian Jones
1993 – Mike Hazelton
The James Courtney Trophy
This year’s X30 Champion will receive the James Courtney Trophy, in recognition of James’ pair of World Championship victories in 1995 and 1997. James is one of only three Australian drivers to win an FIA World Championship – the other two being Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones. He was also one of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame for his achievements in karting.
Entering the final round, Jace Matthews appears likely to become the fourth driver to etch his name on the trophy for a second time as he currently holds a handy buffer atop of the standings.
James Courtney Perpetual Trophy Honour Roll:
2022 – Jace Matthews
2021 – Brad Jenner
2019 – Brad Jenner
2018 – Lachlan Dalton
2017 – Scott Sorensen
2016 – Scott Sorensen
2015 – Liam McLellan
2014 – Troy Loeskow
2013 – Matthew Waters
2012 – Adam Hughes
2011 – Jake Spencer
2010 – Cian Fothergill
2009 – Hayden McBride
2004 – Barclay Holden
2003 – Barclay Holden
2002 – Adam Graham
2001 – Mark Winterbottom
2000 – Neil McFadyen
1999 – Jamie Whincup
1998 – Ryan Wlodzinski
1997 – David Clark
1996 – Jeremy Lohmann
1995 – Darrell Smith
1994 – Phillip Scifleet
1993 – Richard McLeod
- information posted by Australian Kart Championship
advertisement