World Cup Champion to Lead The Charge to Ipswich
| press release | 12 February 2013 |
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2011 World Cup Champion Joey Hanssen will lead the charge to Ipswich, Queensland for Round One of the 2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE next weekend (February 23/24).
The Dutchman, who is currently residing in Perth while working for the Lenzo Kart Australia team, will this year become the first European professional driver to compete in the entire schedule of Australia’s elite karting championship.
Above: 2011 World Cup Champion Joey Hanssen will make his debut in the CIK Stars of Karting Series in Ipswich next weekend
“The competition in Australia is very tough. I raced in a state level series here in Western Australia last weekend and it was not easy,” said Hanssen who will compete in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category.
“Since I raced here in November it seems as though everyone has stepped it up in terms of the equipment – it’s pretty much all on par with the latest we’ve been running in Europe now.
“The only thing about the tracks that we go to in the CIK Series that I know is what sprocket we should have on, from the guys in the team who have been there before, and I’ve looked at some maps and videos but that’s about it.”
While understanding the expectation of him to perform, Hanssen says that he has got the utmost of respect for the high level of competition here in Australia.
“There’s a lot of talent here in Australia, it’s just the experience of racing at the top level that the Europeans are better at than them. In saying that though, the same principles apply, wherever you are racing,” said Hanssen.
“Everybody here thinks that the tracks have no grip, but in Europe we have the same problem when the tracks get hot and slippery, for sure the tracks here are a little bit smaller but that is just a little thing to get used to.”
Gold Coaster Chris Hays is the reigning champion in the Pro Gearbox ranks and he believes the inclusion of Hanssen adds a new challenge to the already highly competitive championship.
Above: Gold Coaster Chris Hays leading the field during the 2012 CIK Stars of Karting Series
pic: AF Images/Budd
“Next weekend is going to be a great start, along with Joey there’s also a few new guys from the other Pro categories coming into the category so it’s going to be very tough,” said Hays.
“The competition was very intense last year but I think it has stepped up a gear in 2013. Having him in there won’t change the amount of pressure on me as the reigning champion, everyone knows he’s a great driver and I think we can all learn from having him as a part of the series. He’s very used to the hard racing and definitely going to be a tough competitor.
“Ipswich is probably one of my favourite tracks but it never seems to go my way there. Having the series start at my home track should be an advantage, hopefully there will also be a heap of people who come out and see the racing.”
Along with the Pro Gearbox category, the competition will also be extremely tough in the Pro Light (KF) and Pro Junior (KFJ) categories.
With the category’s previous three champions setting their sights on other challenges in motorsport throughout 2013, the door is wide open for a new ‘King of KF’ and Toowoomba’s Brooke Topp is one driver expected to figure prominently.
Above: Toowoomba's Brooke Topp in action during the corresponding round at Ipswich last year
pic: AF Images/Budd
The Harrington Doyle Racing driver was last year crowned the 2012 KARTX Rookie of the Year and is aiming to secure his maiden podium finish in his home event next weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to the first round and hoping to capitalise on the home track advantage to start the season off well,” said Topp.
“During my first year in the series last year I learnt a lot about the set-up of the kart for the longer races, how to look after the tyre wear and a lot about the tracks that are in the series which should put me in a good position for the year ahead.
“Unlike last year where there are a few guys who stood out among the rest, this year is very open. When looking at the entry list there’s not any real stand out performers and it’s really going to be anyone’s game.”
Such is the openness of the Pro Light field, only one driver – Kosmic Racing Australia’s Matthew Waters – has finished on the podium in the Pro Light category previously.
As has come to be expected in the Pro Junior (KFJ) ranks, another new year opens the door for another new star with a number of drivers looking to make their mark on the category.
New South Wales driver Joseph Burton-Harris is the most experienced of the 20-driver field and should start as the favourite for next weekend’s opening round.
Western Australian Kurt Kostecki claimed his career best result at the corresponding round in 2012, armed with the experience of a pair of overseas events late last year, he should also figure prominently this weekend at Ipswich.
After last year competing in the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy, James Abela will also be one to watch throughout the year aboard his new PCR machine.
Local hopes will rest with Cornubia teenager Callum Walker and Salisbury’s Thomas Steele. Walker is entering his second year of competition in Australia’s elite junior category while Steele will be making his series debut.
Such is the freshness of the drivers in the Pro Junior category, 14 of the 20 drivers will be making their debut in Australia’s elite junior category next weekend. So the racing should be action-packed all throughout the field.
Above: Cornubia teenager Callum Walker will fly the flag for the local drivers next weekend
pic: AF Images/Budd
In addition to the Pro categories a huge field of drivers will line up in the TaG 125 Light and Heavy categories where they will be battling for the inaugural Queensland State Championship for the class.
There will also be some great racing to be seen from the drivers in the TaG 125 Restricted category and also some of the youngest drivers in the sport of karting in the Rookies category.
A total of 152 entries have been received for the event, the largest in the series’ history.
Practice will be contested for the Pro categories and the TaG 125 classes on Friday February 22 with qualifying and heat races for all categories from 9am on Saturday February 23. The Finals will begin at 9am on Sunday February 24.
The Ipswich Kart Club is located on Champions Way, Willowbank. Admission for spectators is free.
To view the event program please click here (Link: http://bit.ly/X1hQSe)
About the CIK Stars of Karting Series
The CIK Stars of Karting Series is the elite level of karting competition in Australia.
The CIK (Commission Internationale de Karting) is the specialised Karting commission of the FIA, the governing body of world motor sport.
Competitors in the series use identical equipment to that used in the European and World Championships.
Above: Dutch Pro Joey Hanssen believes that Australian karting is full of talent
pic: AF Images/Budd
There are three Pro Categories in the CIK Stars of Karting Series – Pro Light (KF), Pro Gearbox (KZ2) and Pro Junior (KFJ). Drivers in the Pro Light category use a 125cc IAME KF specification engine. The Pro Gearbox drivers take to the track powered by a six-speed 125cc gearbox machine while the Pro Junior drivers use a 125cc Vortex KFJ specification engine. They will reach speeds in excess of 125 km/h while racing centimetres apart.
Competitors in each of the three Pro categories are vying for a Perpetual trophy named in honour of three Australian Karting greats - John Pizarro (Pro Gearbox), James Courtney (Pro Light) and Jon Targett (Pro Junior).
Former champions of the Series include the likes of four-time V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup and his fellow V8 stars Mark Winterbottom, Tim Slade and Michael Caruso.
In addition to the three Pro categories there will also be four other categories where drivers from as young as nine will be competing at each round.
