CIK Make-Over For 2010

Next year's Australian CIK Championship has received a facelift with news that the series and its classes will be renamed to make them easier to promote to the general public and motorsport community.

The 2010 edition will be known as the CIK Stars of Karting Series. It will be contested for three categories with "a more consumer friendly name" in the form of Pro Light(KF1), Pro Gearbox(KZ2) and Pro Junior(KF3).

pic - photowagon.com.au

"Within the karting population the CIK Championship is widely regarded as the top level of competition, especially in Europe, but by changing of the name to the CIK Stars of Karting provides a very clear picture of what the series is all about to the rest of the public," said AKA International Karting Committee Chairman Craig Denton.

"The same theory flows over into the name of the categories. The Pro Light, Pro Gearbox and Pro Junior names provide a distinct understanding of what the elite categories of karting are all about while still keeping in line with the technical regulations of the CIK.

"It's all about being able to get people to further understand the sport of karting. The more people that gain an appreciation for our sport the more people become involved."

Queenslander John Grother, who won the final two rounds of this year’s series, is one driver who is looking forward to 2010.

“It was great to get back into CIK racing this year, it is a different style of racing with more powerful engines and stickier tyres and I can’t wait for next year’s series to role around,” said Grother.

“With my work commitments I wasn’t able to race the entire series this year but now that the 2010 schedule is out nice and early I can plan my racing.

“My aim is to race CIK overseas at some stage in the future and I strongly believe that this series is the perfect springboard to assist me in achieving this goal.”

While he may have won nine National Championships in various categories, Matthew Wall (pic right) is yet to secure a crown in the elite CIK ranks. The 31 year-old Victorian has signified his intentions to chase the Pro Gearbox Championship in the 2010 CIK Stars of Karting Series.

"I've been around karting for a long time now and have achieved a lot of great results but there is one thing that is missing at the top of my wish list - a CIK Championship," said Wall.

"Now, with the inclusion of the KZ2 spec Pro Gearbox category into the series it has re-ignited my passion to chase a CIK Championship and the sport of karting as a whole. I’m can’t wait to get out there.”

Competitors in the Pro Light category will use the 125cc IAME KF specification engine, as used in the 2009 championship that was won by Newcastle driver Hayden McBride. The Pro Gearbox drivers will take to the track powered by a six-speed 125cc gearbox machine while the Pro Junior drivers will use a 125cc Vortex KF3 specification engine.

Driver's looking to register their interest in the series or purchase a KF specification engine for use in the series should contact Peter Galvin on 0433 042 900.

Above: Toowoomba's Brendan Nelson had his first taste of CIK racing in 2009
pic - photowagon.com.au

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