By Australian Kart Championship
WILLIAMSON: “I WAS SHOCKED BY THE SPEED!”
Wollongong’s Oli Williamson is staring down the barrel of a chance at making history in the Penrite Australian Kart Championship in KA3 Junior.
The year five student claimed the Cadet 9 national championship in 2024 before graduating to Cadet 12 in 2025 to win again, and in 2026 made the audacious move directly into KA3 Junior to compete against racers more than three years his senior, giving him the opportunity to make history as the first driver to win three different classes in consecutive years.
“It was a big jump from Cadet 12 to KA3 that’s for sure!” he said, admitting that the first few laps of his initial practice in a KA3 Junior got his attention. “I was shocked by the speed and how hard you can brake, and the passing gap as well, but after a few laps I felt pretty comfortable.”
Despite a conservative start to his rookie season in the class, Williamson has amazingly worked his way into 2nd in the championship chase, trailing Jensen Damaschino by just sixteen points.
“At round one I finished 6th on points I think, and then 3rd after Ipswich, but after getting 2nd at Townsville, I got to 2nd in the championship, so I think if I keep putting the effort in, I should be in the fight I reckon.”
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Williamson understands there’s a lot resting on round four at Seymour but is confident after strong results at the Victorian venue previously.
“I feel strong at Pucka. But we will have to be very clinical and consistently hit our marks because what happens at round four basically sets you up for the end of the championship.”
Growing up around karting under his dad Tom’s watchful eye, Oli is aware of the opportunity he has living and breathing the sport daily.
“After a day of practice or heats, everyone else goes home with their families and teams, but I get to go home with my dad who runs the team and we get to talk through what I need to do differently. Sometimes that’s harder because of the level of expectation because I’m known as ‘Tom’s son,’ but I think it’s mostly an advantage.”
Oli’s chance to make history by winning three different classes in consecutive years will be one of many storylines on the live coverage of the championship on 7+ on Saturday September 5 from 12:30pm and 11:30am on Sunday September 6.
The Eastern Lions Kart Club’s Hume International Raceway is 20 minutes west of Seymour on Seymour Tooborac Road and 10 minutes south of Puckapunyal and offers free entry for spectators along with excellent amenities, and refreshments available for purchase.
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