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Three Australians To Tackle International Junior Series!

AKA media

AUSTRALIAN KARTING DUO SET TO TACKLE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Sydney youngster to also compete in the CIK-FIA Academy trophy

For the first time since the late nineties, Australia will have three drivers regularly competing on the world karting stage in 2012.

It has been announced that Sydneysiders Joseph Mawson (Hinchenbrook) and Jacob Parsons (North Shore) will be representing Australia in the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship that kicks off in Braga, Portugal on July 6-8.

Above: Australia will have three representatives on the world karting stage in 2012. L-R Joseph Mawson, James Abela and Jacob Parsons
pic: AF Images/Budd

During the late nineties it was drivers such as James Courtney, Ryan Briscoe and Ben Horstman who were making their mark in European karting. Both Courtney and Briscoe are now household names in Australian motorsport while competing in the V8 Supercar and IndyCar Championships. Horstman remained in karts to become a professional kart racer throughout Europe.

Courtney remains as Australia’s only World Karting Champion, and as a result is one of only three Australians to have won a FIA World Championship – the other two being Sir Jack Brabham (F1 1959, 1960 and 1966) and Alan Jones (F1 1980).

Above: Hinchenbrook teenager Joseph Mawson
pic - AF Images/Budd

The new era will see Mawson and Parsons compete in the ‘Under 18’ World Championship, where as the name suggests all drivers will be under the age of 18. Last year’s three round series was contested by Cairns driver Aidan Wright where he finished 18th in the standings that featured 85 drivers. In 2012, there will be 81 drivers with 24 countries represented.

With the focus to be on driver talent rather than total racing budget, competitors in the championship compete in a kart chassis of their choice, from a registered list of 18, fitted with identical Parolin engines, LeCont tyres and using a controlled Panta fuel.

For Mawson, a three-time Australian karting champion, he believes this is his big opportunity to make his mark on the European karting scene.

“The World Under 18 Championships is the best of the best and I see it as a great opportunity with the top bosses from many forms of motorsport watching,” said Mawson.

“I’ve been racing for eight years now, after starting I got addicted to it and live to race these days. During my career I’ve won three Australian Championships and last year finished second at the World Rotax Finals but competing in this year’s World Under 18 Championships will certainly be the toughest challenge of my career.

“I’m really looking forward to testing myself against the high level of competition from all across the world on the big stage.”

Above: Parsons in action during the recent CIK Stars of Karting round in Newcastle
pic: AF Images/Budd

Parsons echoes Mawson’s thoughts on the challenge that lies ahead for the pair, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Courtney and Briscoe.

“It’s a great opportunity racing the best of the best at some fantastic venues across the world,” said Parsons.

“James Courtney and Ryan Briscoe both competed at the highest level of our sport during their karting days and have gone on to achieve some great things. Hopefully I can do the same.”

Above: 13 year-old Abela competes in the Pro Junior (KF3) category in the CIK Stars of Karting Series
pic - AF Images/Budd

Contested alongside the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship is the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy for drivers aged between 13 to 15 years old. For the first time in the three year history of this series, Australia will have a representative in this category with 13 year-old James Abela (Horsley Park) securing a place on the grid.

In a similar vain to the Under 18 Championship, the Academy trophy will see competitors line up in identical chassis, engines and tyres, allowing true driver talent to shine.

“It should be a good series, we’re going to be competing on some great tracks in Portugal, France and Bahrain and I can’t wait to get over there and get into it,” said Abela.

“It was just a recent decision to do this series, it came out of the blue really, but I’m really looking forward to it. To race against some of the top young drivers from all across the world is something that I’m really looking forward to.”

ABOUT THE CIK-FIA U18 WORLD KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP
The CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship is a three round karting championship conducted by the sport’s governing body, the Commission International de Karting.

Each of the chassis have been marked by CIK-FIA officials with the aim of freezing any technological evolution during the championship and therefore limiting costs.

Now in it’s third year, a total of 81 entries have been received from 24 countries for this year’s CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship.

To view the full entry list for the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship please click here.
To view the full entry list for the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy please click here.

Dates and Venues
Round 1
July 6-8 – Braga, Portugal

Round 2
August 24-26 – Angerville, France

Round 3
November 8-10 – Bahrain, UAE

Home

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	Three Australians To Tackle International Junior Series! Tweet AKA media AUSTRALIAN KARTING DUO SET TO TACKLE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP *Sydney youngster to also compete in the CIK-FIA Academy trophy* For the first time since the late nineties, Australia will have three drivers regularly competing on the world karting stage in 2012. It has been announced that Sydneysiders Joseph Mawson (Hinchenbrook) and Jacob Parsons (North Shore) will be representing Australia in the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship that kicks off in Braga, Portugal on July 6-8. Above: Australia will have three representatives on the world karting stage in 2012. L-R Joseph Mawson, James Abela and Jacob Parsons pic: AF Images/Budd During the late nineties it was drivers such as James Courtney, Ryan Briscoe and Ben Horstman who were making their mark in European karting. Both Courtney and Briscoe are now household names in Australian motorsport while competing in the V8 Supercar and IndyCar Championships. Horstman remained in karts to become a professional kart racer throughout Europe. Courtney remains as Australia’s only World Karting Champion, and as a result is one of only three Australians to have won a FIA World Championship – the other two being Sir Jack Brabham (F1 1959, 1960 and 1966) and Alan Jones (F1 1980). Above: Hinchenbrook teenager Joseph Mawson pic - AF Images/Budd The new era will see Mawson and Parsons compete in the ‘Under 18’ World Championship, where as the name suggests all drivers will be under the age of 18. Last year’s three round series was contested by Cairns driver Aidan Wright where he finished 18th in the standings that featured 85 drivers. In 2012, there will be 81 drivers with 24 countries represented. With the focus to be on driver talent rather than total racing budget, competitors in the championship compete in a kart chassis of their choice, from a registered list of 18, fitted with identical Parolin engines, LeCont tyres and using a controlled Panta fuel. For Mawson, a three-time Australian karting champion, he believes this is his big opportunity to make his mark on the European karting scene. “The World Under 18 Championships is the best of the best and I see it as a great opportunity with the top bosses from many forms of motorsport watching,” said Mawson. “I’ve been racing for eight years now, after starting I got addicted to it and live to race these days. During my career I’ve won three Australian Championships and last year finished second at the World Rotax Finals but competing in this year’s World Under 18 Championships will certainly be the toughest challenge of my career. “I’m really looking forward to testing myself against the high level of competition from all across the world on the big stage.” Above: Parsons in action during the recent CIK Stars of Karting round in Newcastle pic: AF Images/Budd Parsons echoes Mawson’s thoughts on the challenge that lies ahead for the pair, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Courtney and Briscoe. “It’s a great opportunity racing the best of the best at some fantastic venues across the world,” said Parsons. “James Courtney and Ryan Briscoe both competed at the highest level of our sport during their karting days and have gone on to achieve some great things. Hopefully I can do the same.” Above: 13 year-old Abela competes in the Pro Junior (KF3) category in the CIK Stars of Karting Series pic - AF Images/Budd Contested alongside the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship is the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy for drivers aged between 13 to 15 years old. For the first time in the three year history of this series, Australia will have a representative in this category with 13 year-old James Abela (Horsley Park) securing a place on the grid. In a similar vain to the Under 18 Championship, the Academy trophy will see competitors line up in identical chassis, engines and tyres, allowing true driver talent to shine. “It should be a good series, we’re going to be competing on some great tracks in Portugal, France and Bahrain and I can’t wait to get over there and get into it,” said Abela. “It was just a recent decision to do this series, it came out of the blue really, but I’m really looking forward to it. To race against some of the top young drivers from all across the world is something that I’m really looking forward to.” ABOUT THE CIK-FIA U18 WORLD KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP The CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship is a three round karting championship conducted by the sport’s governing body, the Commission International de Karting. With the focus to be on driver talent rather than total racing budget, competitors in the championship compete in a kart chassis of their choice, from a registered list of 18, fitted with identical Parolin engines, LeCont tyres and using a controlled Panta fuel. Each of the chassis have been marked by CIK-FIA officials with the aim of freezing any technological evolution during the championship and therefore limiting costs. Now in it’s third year, a total of 81 entries have been received from 24 countries for this year’s CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship. To view the full entry list for the CIK-FIA World U18 Karting Championship please click here. To view the full entry list for the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy please click here. Dates and Venues Round 1 July 6-8 – Braga, Portugal Round 2 August 24-26 – Angerville, France Round 3 November 8-10 – Bahrain, UAE Home
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