Where Are They Now? - The 2002 National Champions

AKA press release

Later this week almost 300 young drivers will line up for their shot at a national glory when they suit up for the 46th National Sprint Kart Championships sponsored by Yamaha in Launceston, Tasmania.

The last time such an event was held in Tasmania was in 2002 where 11 drivers were crowned champions of their respective categories. From the drivers who won at title that Easter three of them are now competing in Australia’s highest profile form of motorsport, the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

After winning the Formula 100 crown in 2002 West Australian Michael Patrizi has competed in karts and open wheel racing throughout Europe over the past few years. Last weekend he made his debut in a V8 Supercar at the Australian Grand Prix.

Above: Then - Michael Patrizi F100 in 2002; Now V8 Supercars at the AGP with Jim Morton (a former kart team owner himself)

Shane Price, the winner of Junior Clubman in 2002, made his debut aboard a V8 Supercar in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series in 2006 before graduating into the ‘main game’ at the start of last year.

Above: Then - Shane Price, Junior Clubman in 2002; Now V8 Supercars with Perkins/JDR
(pics - Paul Caruthers)

In the final of Junior Clubman Price’s now-fellow V8 Supercar competitor, Andrew Thompson, came from deep in the field after not finishing the pre-final to claim the runner-up spot. Finishing behind Price and Thompson was the 2007 Australian Formula Ford Champion Tim Blanchard.

Above: Then - Andrew Thompson, Junior Piston Port in 2002; Now V8 Supercars with PWR
(pics - Paul Caruthers)

Blanchard is this year competing in the British Formula Ford Championship. He is joined overseas by fellow karting graduates Ash Walsh and Michael Sam Abay, who both contested the 2002 nationals in the junior ranks.

In the other elite junior category, Junior Piston Port, at the 2002 event it was Thompson who came out victorious ahead of Leah Unsworth and Benjamin Chong Sun. Current Aussie Racing Car driver Ben McCashney finished fourth.

While Patrizi, Price and Thompson have made it to the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, a number of other drivers who raced at the 2002 event are well on their way to making a name for themselves in Australian motorsport.

Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series drivers Taz Douglas, Brett Hobson, Jack Perkins, David Reynolds and Sam Walter were all amongst the competitors in the 2002 event, as were Scott Auld, Rob Storey, Martin Swindells and Ben Walter, all of which are competing in the Australian Formula Ford Championship. A number of current Aussie Racing Car competitors including Kyle Clews, Liam Gretgrix, Nick Lowe, McCashney and Richard Rapa, who won last weekend’s event at the Grand Prix, also contested the 2002 championships.

Three drivers who won titles at the 2002 event, David Sera (Junior National Light), Marcus Burford (Junior National Heavy) and Jason Hrynuik (Clubman Light) will be competing in the 2008 event. Burford was the last Tasmanian to win a national karting title.

2002 NATIONAL KARTING CHAMPIONS
Junior National Light – David Sera
Junior National Heavy – Marcus Burford
Junior Clubman – Shane Price
Junior Piston Port – Andrew Thompson
Senior National Light – Garry Joel
Senior National Heavy – Duane West
Clubman Light – Jason Hrynuik
Clubman Heavy – William Yarwood
Clubman Super Heavy – Steve Engel
Formula Australia Light - Troy Woolston
Formula 100 – Michael Patrizi

In total there will be 292 drivers competing across 10 categories at this weekend’s championships. Qualifying begins on Friday followed by heat races on the Saturday and the championship finals on Sunday.

The Southern Cross Archerville Kartway is located on Pipers River Road, Turners Marsh (through Rocherlea).

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