karting related stuff from around the world…
BATHURST GRID KIDS – Would your kid like to be on the grid at Bathurst this year? Karting NSW is looking for four Grid Kids who can attend circuit on the Saturday and Sunday of The Great Race, October 7 & 8. Program information is HERE (there is eligibility criteria to meet) and the application form is HERE. Expressions of Interest must be sent to Vanessa Bernallack (vanessa_benallack@goodyear.com) or Dunlop Grid Kid Manager Alice Litzow (alicelitzow@hotmail.com) by Monday, 25 September.
TALK SPORT – Are there any karters in Melbourne who’d like to be on a sports media panel discussing rivalries in sport? Swinburne University student Mitchell Davis is seeking someone from the local karting community who might be interested. The discussion panel takes place at Swinburne University on Monday, October 23. “The panel would be a brief 15-minute on-air talk show with other local Melbourne sports players and fans” Davis informed KartSportNews. “It’s an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to take part”. For further details, email Mitchell at davismitchell2004@gmail.com
F4 FOR JUNIOR – Lismore Kart Club has an incredible opportunity for the winner of KA3 Junior at the NSW State Titles this weekend – a full test day in a Formula 4 car, thanks to AGI Sport and Tailored Investment Solutions. “It’s a chance to experience the power, speed, and precision of a Formula 4 car on the track!” the club posted.
EURO INDUSTRY – WSK Promotion has announced a multi-year deal to be the new promoter for the Rotax MAX Challenge Euro Trophy and Rotax Winter Series, commencing in 2024. “The goal is to maximize the value and content of a unique series, which is based on engines that are truly synonymous with karting around the world, given their spread and their history” said Luca De Donno, Founder and President of WSK Promotion. The organisation started its activity as a promoter in karting in 2006 with its WSK series which continues today as one of the most competitive karting series on the international schedule.
WHEEL SPACERS – Here’s another new RKC product, a wheel spacer set for 50mm axles. The spacers come in 2.5mm, 5mm and 10mm pairs – “You know, the ones you always use and loose. No need to buy another full set with spacers you won’t use.” Price is $12. Call Ringwood Kart Centre on 03 9870 0903 or Moksy on 0419 882 132.
CLUB CONGRATS – Ipswich Kart Club took the opportunity prior to racing at its club round on September 2 to acknowledge the five IKC members (Brock Nolan, Max Walton, Keegan Fraser, Jace Matthews and Harrison Hoey) who all won their class in the 2023 Australian Kart Championship, plus the 2023 Ladies Champion Lana Flack. “Ipswich Kart Club appreciates the wonderful representation by all IKC Members in the 2023 Australian Kart Championships and is very proud of the magnificent achievements by Queensland drivers” the club informed KartSportNews.
TIGER UPDATE – Work continues at the Tiger Kart Club’s circuit at Henderson, south of Perth. The contractor, Menzies Civil, is carrying out the final trim and rolling of the base. Seal of the base will then occur followed by kerbing and asphalt.
NUMBERS GAME – Karting authorities posted on social media recently reminding competitors to ensure their race numbers meet specification (regarding size, spacing and background) so they can be easily read. But, perhaps it’s not just the digits that are the problem…
RIP MICKEY RUPP – One of the early pioneers of commercial kart manufacturing has passed away. Mickey Rupp, the manufacturer of the American Dart Kart, died last month, aged 87. He started building karts from his home in the late 1950s. His Dart Karts became popular and were produced through to the late 1960s by his company, Rupp Industries, which also produced mini-bikes and snowmobiles. He sold the business in 1973. Rupp also made a start in the Indianapolis 500, qualifying 15th in 1965, finishing sixth (pic, below).
HIDE YOUR SECRETS – Keep those prying eyes away! New from Kartech is this Front Torsion Bar Cover. Made of neoprene, it’s 235mm long, fits most karts that use 30-32mm torsion bars and is quick and easy to install via a velcro fastening strip. Visit https://dpekartsuperstore.com for more.
PROMO – Here’s a great little video on Aiva Anagnostiadis (a member of the Go-Kart Club of Victoria) from Simply Stories. WE know that karting is for everyone – let’s make sure everyone else does too!
SEAL DEAL – The Endurance Karting Association has advised its technical committee will be introducing a new engine seal which is substantially more robust than the existing Harcore seal. TEKA is calling for competitors to bring their log books to the next event at Tamworth so they can be updated with the three new seal numbers that will be placed on engines that are being used at that event. “Our aim is to have all engines updated with new seals prior to round one, 2024.”
MORE PROMO – Here’s some great general media coverage for the newly crowned Cadet 12 Australian Champion. WIN News Illawarra did the piece below on Wollongong’s Corey Carson after he clinched the title in Melbourne.
QUICK CHANGE – A tyre changing competition will be held during the upcoming ‘Speed Week’ at Ipswich. Scheduled for the Friday night of the State Cup/Rotax National Cup, competitors will need get a set of tyres on and off rims (no tongs allowed!) as quickly as possible. Fastest tyre changer wins two sets of LeConts and the runner-up receives one set. If you think you or your mechanic can get the job done, send an email to president@ipswichkartclub.org.au to get your name on the list. Entry will be capped at 18.
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SPONSOR – Parolin Australia will sponsor the annual Junior Sprint Classic at Puckapunyal on Oct 30/Nov 1. It will be the Eastern Lions Kart Club’s 41st edition of this kids-only meeting. “We are proud to be the major sponsor of the upcoming Junior Sprint Classic” Parolin Australia posted. “Get your entries in for your chance to win a brand new Parolin Kart.”
EVENT – KNSW NSW State Championship
BIZARRE – Not sure of all the detail around this photo, but this “Kei Car” uses kart wheels and brakes on the front. Teams build special cars for a 10-hour “K4GP” race at Fuji, Japan, that “are super serious and hilarious at the same time.” This one is clearly inspired by the 6-wheel Tyrrell F1 car from 1976-77.
SPONSOR – Long time karting supporter Shamick Transport will sponsor Erebus Academy driver Jobe Stewart for the remainder of the Super3 season. Having followed Stewart’s career since his early karting, Shamick Transport Director Shane Wharton is pleased to continue supporting him in a larger way. “I’ve followed Jobe’s career since his early karting days and I’ve always respected him as a racer,” Wharton said. Stewart was a regular competitor against Wharton’s son, James. “I’ve known the Wharton family for over 10 years now ” Stewart added. “I was always racing against James so I grew quite close to them both.”
FACILITIES UPGRADE– More developments completed at the Geelong Kart Club recently.
GET WELL GLORIA – The Tiger Kart Club is sending best wishes to one of its Life Members, Gloria Foster. Gloria had a bad fall recently and was in hospital after fracturing a few bones in her back. Get well soon Gloria!
PRINCE OPENS TRACK – A new karting track has opened in Sweden. The Gelleråsen Arena was officially inaugurated by Prince Carl Philip (who cut the ribbon) and Tony Ring, chairman of the municipal board. The duo did it in a different way – behind the wheel of Rotax E20 electric karts. The Prince was smiling with approval after his first laps on the new circuit, which has a corner bearing his name – The Prince’s Curve. ”The track felt very good, fast and with many different kinds of corners that offer plenty of overtaking opportunities” he said. “I think the guys and girls who do a lot of karting will like it.”
RAFFLE WINNERS – The Ballarat Kart Club’s major raffle of a new Arrow X6.2/IAME X30 race package has been won! The draw was streamed from the clubrooms via Facebook and the winner rung during the live feed. Both father and winner are over the moon!
- 1st prize winner Justin Yuen
- 2nd prize winner Daniel Anderson
- 3rd prize winner Nicholas Roberts
The club offers massive thanks for the support from DPE Kart Superstore, Remo Racing, Billet Developments, BBF Ballarat Bolts & Fasteners & Lubricants – Total Oil.
BEST PRESENTED – Patrizicorse was awarded the Best Presented Team in the 2023 Australian Kart Championship. “A special thankyou to our team partners purewear.co, Gatel Tent Solution & Alpinestars for providing us with the facilities to present ourselves professionally on and off track” the team posted on social media. “We as a team aim to provide a professional environment which facilitates growth of our drivers, providing them with the best opportunities to succeed in their Motorsport career. An important aspect of that is presentation, and we are proud to have received the Best Presented Team in a year where everyone else has stepped up and taken Australian Karting to the next level.”
ROTAX WEB – In an effort to provide a centralised source for news and information for the Rotax karting community in North America, a new website has been created – rotax-usa.com. It is intended to be the home of information for everything Rotax in North America. North American Rotax partners J3 Competition and RTX Karting Group will still own and operate their independent websites.
KART RECORD – Blue Shock race has claimed a new world record for a commercially available electric kart – 163km/h (101.3mph). The record attempt took place on Gotlandring’s (Sweden) southern loop straight, covering a distance of 590 meters – see video below.
Chassis: CRY32-S14 (Homologation N° 007/CH/12)
Powertrain: BSR 2.2 25kW+ version
Battery: BSR B5500 (Capacity: 56Ah / 5,376 Wh)
Gear Ratio: 14/21
Tires: Vega XM3-CIK PRIME
Electric kart in with the KZ2s
REUNITED – Did you know that McLaren team mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both raced for the same karting team in Europe, Ricky Flynn Motorsport? The duo got the chance to hit the track again with the team in Italy earlier this month. RFM runs LN Karts for its customers and both Oscar and Lando hit the track once more (pic below). Even McLaren’s Zac Brown had a steer!
GUEST – Additional Junior Sprint Classic news, a special guest will be at Puckapunyal on the Saturday night.
PUMP IT – These things are handy: no more spilling or splashing from lifting and pouring from drums! The SP Tools Fluid Transfer Pump is now available from patrizicorse.com. It’s ideal for transferring liquids quickly and safely at the track, at home or in the workshop. Battery operated, it transfers 13 litres per minute. Get yours plus other great products at patrizicorse.com!
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