Tight Tussle for East Coast Titles
press release
While much of the focus in the CIK Stars of Karting Series this year has been on the Pro classes, the action has also been coming thick and fast in the battle for the East Coast Titles presented by Yamaha.
With one round remaining in the title chase it is a real State of Origin battle in the Clubman category between the New South Wales pair of Jason Hryniuk and Daniel Baker taking on Queenslander Brendan Nelson for the victory.
Above: Daniel Baker (left), Brendan Nelson (centre) and Jason Hryniuk (right) are all in with a shot to win the East Coast Clubman Title and the trip to compete in Japan courtesy of Yamaha Australia
pic: photowagon.com.au
The Parramatta Kart Warehouse pilot of Baker led the way during the opening round in Newcastle before Hryniuk gained the upper hand aboard his CRG kart at Ipswich in round two. After shadowing the leading duo during the opening two rounds it was Nelson who shot to the top of the podium during the most recent round at Eastern Creek.
Entering next month’s (Aug 7/8) final round to be hosted by the Go-Kart Club of Victoria, Hryniuk sits atop of the points standings as the trio chase the trip to the All Japan Final which is on offer courtesy of Yamaha Motor Company.
Above: Jason Hryniuk leads aboard his CRG
pic: photowagon.com.au
“Going into the last round I’d like to have a bigger lead but it has been a hard fought battle all throughout the year and any one of three of us can win it,” said Hryniuk.
“Todd Road is probably the track that I race at the most events at all year, it’s like a home track to me. I’ve won there a lot of times and hopefully I can do it again in the final round and win the trip to Japan.”
Baker, who sits a mere four points behind Hryniuk in the standings, has got his sights on chasing down Hryniuk in Melbourne but is fully aware that any slip up by the leading duo and the Doyle’s Kartsport driver of Nelson will be there ready to pounce.
Above: Daniel Baker and his Jim Beam/PKW machine
pic: photowagon.com.au
“It has been a great battle all year long and I don’t see the final round being any different as we chase the trip to Japan which is on offer thanks to Yamaha,” said Baker.
“The series has been run very professionally and it has been great to be a part of it.
“I raced at Todd Road earlier this year and had a good result, so hopefully I’ll be able to do the same and be on the plane to Japan but it is going to be very tough with a fair few local drivers being thrown in the mix.”
Queenslander Mitchell Gee leads the way in the chase for the East Coast Junior National Title entering the final round. While he hasn’t won a final during the opening three rounds, it is Gee’s consistency that sees him 17 points clear at the top of the table.
Above: Doyles Kartsport driver Mitchell Gee is leading the way in the East Coast Junior National category
Local Melbourne driver Phillip Munnerley is currently in second place and with 80 points on offer across the weekend, he will be out to steal the title from Gee’s grasp – as will New South Welshman Chris Corbett who is currently third in the standings.
Practice for the final round in the CIK Stars of Karting Series will be held at Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit on Friday August 6 followed by heat races on Saturday August 7 and the finals will be contested on Sunday August 8.
Competitors looking to compete at the event should 
to download the Supplementary Regulations.
The categories being raced at the fourth round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series are Pro Light (KF1), Pro Gearbox (KZ2), Pro Junior (KF3), Clubman, Junior National and Senior Rotax at 170kg.
