NZ's Prokart Series Racers Raring to Go
| press release | 7 May 2015 |
| Tweet | |
The battle lines have been drawn and ProKart Series karters from around New Zealand are raring to go ahead of the third 2015 series round at Tokoroa this weekend.
Long-time Cable Systems KZ2 class standard bearer Ryan Grant was back to his best at the second round of this year's series in the Hawke's Bay in February. But he will again face stiff competition this weekend from teammate and first round class winner Graeme Smyth, as well as South Island champion Chris Cox.
Above: Cable Systems KZ2 class stalwart Ryan Grant (#64) was back to his winning best at the second ProKart Series round in the Hawke's Bay in February
Class young guns Aaron Wilson, Rollo Davies, Mitchell Brown, Kent Wheeler and local ace Bradley Tremain are also expected to feature this weekend.
For defending KZ2 Masters class title holder Tom Curran, this weekend will be all about getting back on top, after a win at the opening series round in Rotorua in late January then mechanical issues at his home round in the Hawke's Bay in February.
Aucklander Mark Wheeler stepped up to win both the Pre-Final and Final at the second round, the latter from former Stock Car ace Graeme Lambert from Mangakino, and gearbox category stalwart Grant Kugener from Nelson, however, Curran's winning form at the first round means he still holds the series lead, from Wheeler, Kugener and Aucklander Jared Mackenzie.
Another Auckland driver Garry Cullum remains unbeaten in the KZ2 Restricted class, despite the best efforts of young guns Connor Adam and Gerhard Benadie.
Above: Auckland's Mark Wheeler stepped up to take a breakthrough win in KZ2 Masters at the previous round
Young Wellington ace Ryan Wood continues to lead the Vortex Mini ROK junior support class points standings but round 2 winner Connor Davison is just three points behind.
This year's ProKart Series is again twinned with the New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge, with over 100 karters from as far afield as Dunedin and Whangarei making the trip to Tokoroa to compete across the two series this weekend.
2015 ProKart Series
Results
Cable Systems KZ2
Series points after Rnd 2 of 6
1. Graeme Smyth 179 points; 2. Ryan Grant 175; 3. Chris Cox 174, 4. Rollo Davies 170; 5. Aaron Wilson 167; 6. Mitch Brown 166.
KZ2 Masters
Series points after Rnd 2 of 6
1. Tom Curran 178; 2. Mark Wheeler 176; 3. Grant Kugener 174; 4. Jared Mackenzie 171; 5. Graeme Lambert 169; 6. Leo Bult 165
KZ2 Restricted
Series points after Rnd 2 of 6
1. Garry Cullum 184 points; 2. Connor Adam 176; 3. Gerhard Benadie 172; 4. Shaun Curran 171; 5. Simon Adam 84.
Vortex Mini ROK
Series points after Rnd 2 of 6
1. Ryan Wood 177 points; 2. Connor Davison 174; 3=. Billy Frazer & Josh Parkinson 172; 5=. Fynn Osborne & Sam Wright 170.
Calendar
Rnd 1: Sat- Sun Jan 31-Feb 01 The Rock FM Raceway Rotorua
Rnd 2: Sat-Sun Feb 14-15 Chemz Raceway Hastings
Rnd 3: Sat-Sun May 09-10 Holsters TradeZone Raceway Tokoroa
Rnd 4: Sat-Sun Jun 13-14 Fagan's Valley Raceway Te Puke
Rnd 5: Sat-Sun Aug 15-16 Strata Networks Raceway Auckland
Rnd 6: Sat-Sun Sept 12-13 AgriSea Raceway Hamilton
