Record Numbers For CIK Opening Round
press release
Australia’s elite karting series, the CIK Stars of Karting Series, will blast off in Ipswich, Queensland next weekend (February 26/27).
The series sees drivers compete in equipment similar to what is used in the European and World Championships and this year’s opener is shaping up to be scintillating.
A record number of 29 Pro Gearbox (KZ2) entries have been received for round one led by defending Champion Matthew Wall (Sunbury, Vic), along with eight of the top ten finishers in last year’s title chase. When added to a super impressive 21 Pro Light (KF1) field and the same number in Pro Junior (KF3) it is the largest number of Pro drivers assembled for a round of the CIK-style series since early last decade when the likes of Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom and Michael Caruso were lining up on the grid.
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pic - Kart X/Budd |
“When the series returned to Australian tracks at the start of last year it reinvigorated many of the top drivers in our sport and I’m delighted to see the hard work that has been put in really starting to pay off with some record numbers,” said Series Co-ordinator Peter Galvin.
“For the first time in many years Australian karters can now lay claim to having the best drivers from all across the country competing in some of the world’s best equipment.
“One of the most pleasing aspects for me is to see the huge numbers across the three different categories. In the Pro Gearbox field we’ve got some of the most experienced drivers, the Pro Light field features some of the best rising talents and in the Pro Junior ranks are definitely the stars of the future.”
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Pic - Kart X/Budd |
After several years away from the top level of karting, Ipswich’s Scott Auld, who finished runner-up in the World Rotax Challenge in 2002, will make his debut in the CIK Stars of Karting Series next weekend.
Auld will be competing in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category where he will be one of 12 Queenslanders in the field – that also features Macauley Jones (Albury, Vic), son of former V8 Supercar driver Brad Jones.
“After seeing the series from the sidelines last year I really got the karting bug again and I can’t wait to get out there on my home track next weekend,” said Auld.
“The professionalism of the series has really taken the sport of karting to the next level and it’s going to be on for young and old in round one with everyone out to make a great start to the year.
“Ipswich is where I was born and bred, every time I race on my home track it gives me a bit of an extra buzz and with the high level of competitiveness in the series I’ll need every bit of support I can get next weekend.”
Above: Ipswich driver Scott Auld in action during pre-season testing aboard an MS Kart. Auld will be re-united with mechanic Gerry Brookes, the duo having placed 2nd in the Rotax World Final in 2002.
pic - JT Images
Every mainland state of Australia, with the exception of Northern Territory, will be represented in next weekend’s series opener. Some of the leading contenders for the home state include Aidan Wright (Cairns), James Macken (Gold Coast) Troy Bretherton (Gold Coast), Tyler Greenbury (Toowoomba), Kyle Ensbey (Sunshine Coast), Kel Tresder (Bundaberg), Chris Hays (Gold Coast), Mitchell Gee (Caloundra) and Brock Plumb (Forest Lake). Two New Zealand drivers, Karl Wilson and Aaron Marr, will also be making the trek across the Tasman to compete.
For the first time in more than a decade the CIK Stars of Karting Series will also feature three female competitors with Elle Brydon (Rockhampton, QLD), Renee Gracie (Kuraby, QLD) and Holly Patrizi (Kalgoorlie, WA).
Practice begins on Friday February 25 ahead of the qualifying and heat races on Saturday February 26 with the finals to be held on Sunday February 27.
The Ipswich Kart Club is located on Champions Way, Willowbank. Admission is free for spectators.
2011 CIK Stars of Karting Series
Round One Entry List
Pro Light (KF1)
1 Cian Fothergill
3 Joel Smith
4 Grant Smith
5 Aidan Wright
6 Scott May
7 Matthew Erdmann
9 Jacob Parsons
10 George Geranis
13 Matthew Waters
16 Shay Mayes
18 Cameron Macqueen
23 Anthony Vince
26 Matthew Hayes
41 Daniel Holihan
42 Peter Hollings
44 Elle Brydon
45 Jason Hryniuk
64 Adam Hughes
77 Daniel Baker
89 James Macken
99 Ben Edwards
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
2 Hayden Patrizi
3 Daniel Currey
6 Troy Bretherton
7 Mark Domaschenz
8 Justin Ruggier
9 Troy Woolston
14 Macauley Jones
15 Matthew Wall
17 Scott Auld
20 Hayden Jackson
21 Tyler Greenbury
22 Chris Pratt
24 Jason Faint
29 Kyle Ensbey
35 Jason Pringle
42 John Grother
48 Matt Chambers
49 Jordie Lindstrom
55 Tobia Kipper
59 Scott Taylor
69 William Yarwood
70 Brendan Nelson
71 Matthew Hunt
75 Kel Treseder
88 Ash Pollard
90 Lee Mitchener
91 Craig Stauner
96 Karl Wilson
97 Christopher Hays
Pro Junior (KF3)
1 Pierce Lehane
4 Cameron Hill
5 Renee Gracie
7 Joshua Smith
8 Anthony Martin
11 Aaron Marr
12 Philip Munnerley
13 Mitchell Gee
14 Jake Coleman
15 Brock Plumb
17 Troy Loeskow
19 George Gutierrez
29 Holly Patrizi
32 Joseph Burton-Harris
37 Lachlan O'Reilly
42 Mason Barbera
55 Jaxon Evans
66 Dimitri Agathos
94 Thomas Randle
95 Jake Klarich
96 Joseph Mawson
YAMAHA CHALLENGE
Clubman
2 Sam Lumsden
3 Chris Farkas
4 Brooke Topp
6 Nathan Tigani
7 Brett Robinson
10 Terry Cobb
12 James Greenwood
17 Christopher Jeffrey
18 Clinton Marcon
21 Brenton Simonds
27 Andrew Roffey
25 Robert James
33 Craig Butler
41 Adam Mercer
71 Julian Lunetta
77 Daniel Nolan
78 Alex Baker
81 Matthew Goddard
96 Lydon Dodge
Junior National
2 Michael Fabri
5 James Abela
7 Bailey Cunningham
10 Paul Stankovic
11 Jimmy Croul
15 James Duckworth
19 Thomas Pomroy
22 Jake Downs
24 Thomas Randle
45 Torey Blanch
56 Tom Chitty
71 Callum Walker
75 Mitchell Kennedy
77 Daniel Milne
TaG
Light
7 Aaron Paul
8 Oliver Etter
12 Scott Sorensen
16 Bodine Antrobus
43 Benjamin Harm
85 Jason Lansdell
Heavy
10 Peter Virgulti
50 Joel Worrell
53 David Wallis
68 Patrick Mather
69 Steven Lintott
