McLaughlin's NZ Jnr Rotax Challenge

press release

Britek Motorsport Scholarship karter Scott McLaughlin has again showed his outstanding talent behind the wheel with a strong performance at the opening round of the New Zealand Junior Rotax Challenge.

McLaughlin recently won the Junior Clubman division at the Victorian State Karting Titles.

14-year-old McLaughlin from the Gold Coast had an initial setback with the overall weight combination of the driver and Arrow 28 / 30 kart frame tipping the scales at 153kg. The category minimum is 140kg, so McLaughlin was giving his rivals a free kick to start.

Against the likes of talented drivers Tom Blomquist (the son of 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist), Chris Cox and current New Zealand Rotax Junior champion William Bamber, McLaughlin had to be on his game.

The Britek Motorsport Scholarship racer worked throughout practice with highly respected kart tuner Tony Chambers and with power from Bulls Eye Engines he qualified in fourth position behind his three rivals.

McLaughlin took fifth in heat #1, fourth in heat #2, before finishing third in the 16-lap prefinal. McLaughlin was fully aware heading into the final that the weight disadvantage would be tough on the undulating track.

The 22-lap final was a great race with McLaughlin climbing to third, before settling for fourth place. The overall points result for the weekend placed him third behind Bamber and Nic Cassidy.

"I'm really happy with what we achieved this meeting," McLaughlin said. "The Rotax is a lot different to drive than my water cooled Clubman class kart in Australia. Also racing on MOJO tyres is also different as well so we will work on that.

"We just need to get a little weight out of the kart now, I'm confident with my Bulls Eye prepared Rotax motor and Tony's expertise we will be strong at the next round, I can't wait".

McLaughlin' next major meeting will be the Australian National Titles outside Launceston in Tasmania on March 21-23.

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