Kiwi Ace To Race Oz CIK Championships

AKA press release

Fresh from victory in the New Zealand Formula Toyota Championship Aucklander Mitch Cunningham will be heading to Australia next week to compete in the opening round of the 2009 Australian CIK Karting Championship in Newcastle, NSW.

Since making his debut on Australian shores 12 years ago at the 1997 City of Adelaide Titles Cunningham has been a regular competitor on Australian shores, particularly in the CIK Championship.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into a kart and using the Australian CIK Championship to keep my eye in for my 2009/2010 campaign here in New Zealand,” said Cunningham, a five-time New Zealand Karting Champion.

“I love the CIK style of racing and have raced at three of the four tracks in the Australian Championship which puts me in a good position for the Title.”

Mitch is the youngest of three Cunningham boys with his oldest brother Aaron now residing in Sydney while Wade won the 2003 World Karting Champion before securing the Infiniti Pro Series Championship in America.

Cunningham will compete in the Championship aboard a CRG chassis.

Series Organiser Peter Galvin would also like to advise potential entrants for the series that there are now ten engines that can be leased on a round by round basis at the cost of $800 per event.

“I want to be able to provide the opportunity for as many top level karters from across the country to compete in the CIK Championship, which is why we now have a lease option available for a maximum of ten engines,” said Galvin.

“The series is shaping up to grow as the year continues and I can’t wait to see the karts hit the track for the first time come two weeks time in Newcastle.”

The CIK championship was the springboard for many of Australia’s modern day motorsport stars including Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom, Ryan Briscoe, Michael Caruso and Tim Slade in the 13 Series’ held between 1993 and 2005.

This year’s Championship will see all drivers use the IAME Parilla KF2 (formerly Intercontinental A) specification engine, that produces an impressive 40hp, on the chassis of the driver’s choice fitted with Dunlop tyres.

Competitors wishing to register for the Series should sign up by visiting www.rotax.com.au and go to the Pro Tour 2009 page. At the bottom of this, click the Registration button and in the class listing, choose "CIK-KF2”.

For technical and series information please contact Peter Galvin on 0433 042 900.

2009 Australian CIK Karting Championship
30th - 31st May Newcastle (State Title)
26th - 27th June VACC Park, Melbourne, Vic (State Title)
6th - 9th August Raleigh, NSW
24th - 25th October Ipswich, Qld (State Title)

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