CIK Stars of Karting - Round 5 Fast Facts
| from karting.net.au | 11 September 2014 |
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Five fast facts leading into the final round of the 2014 CIK Stars of Karting Championship presented by Castrol EDGE in Melbourne next weekend (September 20/21).
Manufacturers battle set to be a nail-biter
The Karting Australia Manufacturers challenge is set for a nail-biting finish with only 21 points separating the Energy Corse Australia and CRG Australia teams in the standings. The two have become powerhouses in the Championship over the past 12 months and this weekend will field 20 karts across the three CIK classes. The Scuderia PCR Australia outfit is third in the standings.
Hanssen in the box seat
For the second year running, Joey Hanssen is in a somewhat comfortable position entering the final round of the CIK Stars of Karting Championship at Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit. In 2013, Hanssen came into the round with a 69 point lead over Chris Hays, this year the battle is slightly closer with David Sera only 58 points in arrears of the Dutchman. Hanssen will have to record his lowest points haul since making his debut at the start of 2013 if Sera is going to claim the John Pizarro trophy.
Close battle in KF2
Seven points separate the top two drivers in the chase for the James Courtney trophy with Troy Loeskow leading Scuderia PCR Australia driver Nathan Tigani a top of the standings. Last year, it was the same difference entering the final round for the leading pair of Matthew Waters and George Geranis with Waters going on to secure the title.
Home ground advantage
Many would assume that Todd Road would be a ‘home ground’ advantage for the Victorians, it seems as though the local drivers haven’t been too victorious at the venue. Since the Championship made its debut at the venue in 1997, 20 round winners have been crowned. Of these 20 drivers only five of them have been from the host state. The last Victorian to win at Todd Road was David Sera at Round 3 in 2011.
Can Loeskow make it three in a row?
Bundaberg’s Troy Loeskow has the opportunity to join an illustrious club should be he victorious at next weekend’s event. When crossing the line first at Newcastle in July, the FA Karts driver became the first drive to win two consecutive rounds of the KF2 class since Cian Fothergill in 2010. If successful in Melbourne, he would also become only the third driver since 1993 to win three rounds in a row in the KF2 (formerly known as Formula A) class, the other two drivers being Daniel Elliott (2004) and Richard McLeod (1993).
