Three Way Fight For Pro Junior Title
AKA press release
The countdown continues with three weeks to go until the Grand Final of the 2011 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE fires into action at the Mount Sugarloaf Raceway near Newcastle, NSW, and there are three young stars in contention to etch their names in Australian karting history as the 2011 Pro Junior (KF3) Champion.
Entering next month’s (Oct 15/16) final round of the five round series, Pierce Lehane (Castle Hill, NSW, right - AF Images/Budd pic), Joseph Mawson (Hinchenbrook, NSW) and Jake Klarich (Perth, WA) are separated by 28 points at the top of the standings.
Lehane, who etched his name on the Jon Targett perpetual trophy as champion in 2010, is in the box seat having led the way since the opening round in February, and is confident of being able to secure his second straight title.
If the CRG driver is successful in his quest to win back-to-back crowns, he will become the first driver since fellow Sydneysider Kristian Lindbom won two straight in 2003/2004. He will also be only the third driver in series history to complete the feat – the other driver to secure the title twice is current Indycar star Ryan Briscoe (1995/1996).
“If I can go back to back and have my name listed twice on the Jon Targett trophy it would be the greatest achievement of my career and a great honour,” said Lehane.
“Newcastle is my home track, we missed the set-up last round but I’m confident that I’ll be back this round and the racing between us all at the front should be very good.
“I’ve got a little bit more of gap in the points than I did entering the final round last year, so while it’s not going to be easy I’m confident of being able to hold on.”
Mawson (left -AF Images/Budd pic), who is yet to break through for a victory during his maiden year in the elite series, is confident that he can bridge the gap to the series leader in the final round aboard his Kart 1-prepared Top Kart.
“I had a pretty good round last time at Newcastle and I’m confident that it can go even better in the final round. With a bit of luck on my side I think that I can take the title,” said the Fujitsu Cool driver.
“It would be awesome to have my name alongside the likes of Tim Slade, Michael Caruso and Ryan Briscoe as a champion of the category. They’re all drivers I’ve looked up to.
“The Newcastle is definitely a driver’s track, it’s also Pierce’s home track as well though, so it’s not going to be easy to beat him and or even Jake for that matter, as he showed last round that he’s got a good set-up there as well.”
With two round wins already under his belt in 2011, including one in round four held at the Newcastle circuit, Klarich believes that he has what it takes to overcome the points gap to the pair ahead of him in his Super Rooster-backed Lenzo kart. If successful in snaring the title, Klarich will become only the second Western Australian to win a title in the CIK Stars of Karting Series – David Clark is the only other Sandgroper to win a championship in the elite series (Pro Light (KF1) – 1997).
“We came away with the victory last round but this round will definitely be tougher as everyone will be on top of their game with so much on the line,” said Klarich.
“I’ll be going out the to do my best in every race and let the points take care of themself.
“I’m going with confidence, but with both Peirce and Joey on their home soil I’m sure they will be out to make up for the last round and won’t make any mistakes.”
With a total of 85 points up for grabs throughout the weekend, the title will go down to the wire with fourth placed Brock Plumb (Forrest Lake, QLD) and fifth placed Jake Coleman (Glenmore Park, NSW) also still in contention mathematically, but they would have to have a lot of things fall their way if they are going to snare the title.
Along with the championship title, the series victor will also receive $10,000 funding to compete in a CIK-FIA approved event with the runner-up receiving their race tyres for use in the 2012 series paid for and third place free entry to the 2012 series, all courtesy of the Australian Karting Association.
The fifth, and final, round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE will be hosted by the North Shore Kart Club at the Mt Sugarloaf Raceway in Newcastle on October 15/16.
An hour-long television package, focusing on the championship decider, will be broadcast on SPEED (Foxtel 505) later this year.
CIK STARS OF KARTING SERIES presented by Castrol EDGE
PRO JUNIOR (KF3)
Championship Points (After 4 of 5 rounds)
1. Pierce Lehane 297
2. Joseph Mawson 270
3. Jake Klarich 269
4. Brock Plumb 245
5. Jake Coleman 241
6. Aaron Marr 195
7. Cameron Hill 186
8. Thomas Randle 170
9. Anthony Martin 165
10. Joshua Smith 162
11. George Gutierrez 154
12. Dimitri Agathos 145
13. Joseph Burton-Harris 144
14. Philip Munnerley 132
15. Lachlan O’Reilly 131
16. Jaxon Evans 127
17. Mitchell Gee 115
18. Troy Loeskow 109
19. Renee Gracie 101
20. Jake Dixon 84
21. Holly Patrizi 62
22. Dalton Ellery 58
23. Mason Barbera 21
Pro Junior (KF3) Honour Roll
2010 – Pierce Lehane (CRG/Vortex)
2005 – Joshua Scott (BRM)
2004 – Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart/Comer)
2003 – Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart/Comer)
2002 – Ben Chong Sun (Top Kart/Comer)
2001 – Tim Slade (Top Kart/Comer)
2000 – Andrew Thompson (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1999 – Adam Graham (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1998 – Neil McFadyen (Top Kart/Comer)
1997 – Michael Caruso (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1996 – Ryan Briscoe (CRG/CRG)
1995 – Ryan Briscoe (CRG/Parilla)
1994 – Christian Jones (CRG/Rotax)
1993 – Mike Hazelton (CRG/Parilla)
