More Euro Karts Heading To Australia
Three more European chassis brands will hit Australian race tracks in 2011. Shipments of new FA Kart (Alonso), PCR and Wright racing karts will expand the incredible range already available on the Australian market.
FA Kart
Having recently sold his 50% stake in Azzurro, James Sera has been appointed the Australian distributor for Fernando Alonso’s chassis. Like Exprit and Kosmic, FA Kart is made by the OTK Kart Group. Sera has already landed air-freighted stock of the Italian made frames at his kart shop in Melbourne. More about Sera and the FA Kart range next month...
Wright
Small numbers of these English karts have raced on and off in Australia for many years. 2011 will see Victorian Michael Bantick bring in a number of the latest model karts from Simon Wright Racing Developments (SWRD).
Bantick is the sole importer and hopes to have initial stock in late January. “We will land them and a fair bit of spares, then go and do some testing” Bantick informed KartSportNews. Bantick will stock a number of different models of the kart, which are all made in house at SWRD.
Bantick has also purchased mixed karting inventory from Kevin McKinnon’s shop to compliment the Wright deal (McKinnon is still doing engines and earlier in the year sold the huge trailer, its stock and the F300 motor home after the untimely and tragic passing of Marj).
PCR
The Italian PCR brand has a rich history of on-track success in Australia, particularly in the late 80s/early 90s under Franco Guitoli’s hand. A new owner took over PCR in Italy about a year ago and now former Rotax DD2 World Champion Ben George is a PCR distributor for Australia. In addition to a range of PCR karts, George is forming an Australian PCR race team under his R360 banner. Queenslanders Renee Gracie and Shay Mayes are confirmed starters in the CIK Stars of Karting series (Gracie in Pro Junior, Mayes in Pro Light) and both will compete in the major Rotax events.
