After withholding some results from its “NSW State Sprint Title 2” meeting last week, Karting NSW has now confirmed there were no technical infringements and placings are as they crossed the line at Manning Valley.
The organisation issued a statement on the matter, which is published below.
- full results from the event are on Speedhive HERE
Statement from Karting NSW
On behalf of the Board of Karting NSW (KNSW) I would personally like to apologise for the delay in awarding of trophies to some of the competitors who participated in the State Titles II event held at Manning Valley Kart Racing Club on 4th – 6th October 2024.
I would also like to express my complete disapproval of the vilification that these competitors, families, teams and engine builders were subjected to on social media as a result of KNSW’s decision at the event to quarantine the engine parts in question for further testing.
KNSW technical officers completed tests on these engine components at the track using processes they had been trained to perform by the national body when the KA100 engine was first introduced into competition. Following feedback surrounding these processes KNSW has sought clarification from IAME on the checking tools and latest processes to use these tools and invited the competitors impacted to participate in further testing with an independent expert and their own engine builders being present.
The revised testing method used confirmed that the engine components of all competitors that had been quarantined fully comply with the rules set out in the KNSW rule book and are therefore entirely legal. The State Technical Officer and an independent advisor confirmed that the engine components were cleared and results could be finalised as per how the competitors crossed the finish line.
KNSW takes full responsibility for this error in how the engine components were tested and has already taken steps to ensure KNSW technical officers are trained with the latest procedure as provided by IAME as well as reviewing the testing tools and processes used for testing all KNSW competition motors.
The Board is disappointed with some members of the karting community who took the opportunity to accuse individuals, teams and engine builders of cheating. This was inappropriate and inaccurate as the results of the tests had not been finalised or made public and subsequent retesting has proven the engine components were legal. We are continuing to review evidence supplied to KNSW and will be bringing charges against these individuals should a breach of the KNSW rules or policies be established.
The comments made by some individuals had the ability to impact the competitors, their team and their engine builder’s reputations and their ongoing business. As we all know it takes commitment to succeed in anything and when you cross the finishing line believing that all the hard work has paid off and then to have that moment of joy and elation stripped from you it is heart breaking. KNSW is unable to recreate those moments of celebration that are so important, however, what we can do is make things right. We have undertaken this process to ensure that the correct result has been achieved, as that is the most important thing
The majority of these accusations were aimed directly at JSH Racing and their engine builders TF Race Engines, SR Race Engines & RAMS Head Service. I can confirm representatives from all these organisations have conducted themselves professionally, working alongside KNSW to ensure the process can be followed appropriately.
I would like to thank the competitors and their support networks as well as the State Technical Officer and independent advisor who have worked with KNSW to finalise the results from the event.
Yours sincerely
Belinda Colombrita
Chair of the Board