Unfinished Business For Gladstone Kart Racer

AKA press release

Twelve months after coming tantalisingly close to securing his maiden National Championship in 2008 Gladstone kart racer Cian Fothergill has a burning desire to succeed at the 47th National Sprint Kart Championships sponsored by Yamaha in Townsville next weekend (April 10 – 12).

Above: Fothergill will compete his Australian-made Phoenix kart.
Pic: photowagon.com.au

In the corresponding Event last year Fothergill qualified fastest in the Clubman Light class and had victory in his grasp in the Senior National Light category before it all ended in disappointment within sight of the finish line.

“Last year’s championships was full of highs and lows, I’m hoping that this year there can be more highs than lows and I can come through to get my first National Title,” said 20-year-old Fothergill.

“The Nationals is the ultimate in Australian karting. It attracts the best drivers from all across the country, so when you get a good result it is very rewarding.

“It is the main race of the year and the adrenaline rush that you get when you are racing at the Nationals is just amazing.”

Pic: photowagon.com.au

Fothergill’s love affair with karting began ten years ago. He was racing BMX and on the way to a race his father, who was a previous kart racer himself, suggested that they should drop into the local kart meeting and a young Cian was immediately hooked.

“My Dad used to race many years ago and I raced BMX when I was young, so you could say that racing in one form or another is in my blood,” said Fothergill.

“We dropped into the Gladstone kart track on the way to a BMX race and I liked it that much that I think we had bought a kart by the time we had left so I started racing karts instead of bikes shortly after.”

This year will be Fothergill’s fifth attempt at claiming the National crown, his previous best result came in 2006 with a third placing when the Championships were held at Bolivar in South Australia.

After enjoying success at the Townsville circuit in the past, including a victory in the Queensland State Championships at the venue in 2006, Fothergill is aiming to transfer this experience into victory next weekend.

“I’ve had some good results in Townsville in the past and hopefully I can transfer this experience into a top result next weekend,” said Fothergill.

“I’m racing three categories at the Championships, all of which will be very tough.”

Fothergill is one of almost 300 drivers competing at the Championships across ten categories to cater for different age groups, engine capacities and weights. He will be supported in his campaign aboard his Australian-made Phoenix kart by MG Engines and local Gladstone business Signtek.

Qualifying for the National Championships will be held on Friday April 10 with heat races to be contested on Saturday April 11 followed by the Championship Finals on Sunday April 12.

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