Continuing The Family Tradition

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AKA press release

Third generation racer all set for SA State Championships this weekend

When your Mum and Dad meet at a karting track and both their families are heavily involved in the sport for many years, there’s very little doubt what sport a young boy will chose to compete in.

This is certainly the case for Cockatoo Valley youngster Josh Denton (right, AF Images/Budd pic).

During a karting career, which has spanned more than 30 years, his Father Craig has been crowned National Champion and multiple State Champion. He has also competed in a number of international events in Hong Kong and Japan.

Josh’s Grandpa was also a National Kart Champion in the 60’s whilst two of Josh’s Uncles both competed at the top level of the sport. Josh’s Mother Louise has been around the sport for almost her entire life as well.

This weekend Josh will compete in one of the biggest South Australian karting events of the year when the State Championships fire into action at the Monarto Karting Complex, near Murray Bridge.

It will be the fourth time that the 11 year-old will have competed at the prestigious event.  Having won all four rounds of the Festival State Cup Series and the recent River City Titles (held at the Monarto venue), Denton will be going into this weekend’s championships as one of the favourites in the Rookies category.

“This year has been really good.  I’ve been very fortunate to have some great wins, which will hopefully continue this weekend,” said the year six student at St Brigids Primary School.

“There are a number of good drivers from interstate coming over to race, which will be a great opportunity to see how quick we are on a National level.”

Since hanging up the helmet at the top level of the sport several years ago, Craig Denton only races sparingly now while he splits his time between focusing on Josh’s racing along with administration duties for the sport – on a state, national and international level.

“Like anyone who has been bitten by the motorsport bug – I always enjoy racing, but these days I get as much, if not more, enjoyment from seeing Josh race and improve his racing skills,” said Craig Denton.

“While winning is fun, it’s not the only thing.  We enjoy the sport as a family, it’s been great to not only us but thousands of others across the country as well.

“I very much enjoy the administration side of the sport as well and I’m very heavily involved at a number of levels – including being Australia’s representative on the International CIK commission. I have long believed that you get out of the sport what you put in and that is certainly the case with us.”

More than 250 competitors will be in action at this weekend’s event with practice beginning on Wednesday and will continue until qualifying on Friday.  Racing commences on Friday afternoon and will continue throughout the weekend with the Championship Finals being contested on Sunday.

Drivers from all mainland states of Australia will be represented with competitors coming from as far away as Perth, Cairns and Darwin all heading to the South Australia’s most prestigious event on the karting calendar.

There will be 14 categories being contested, catering for a variety of ages, weights and engine capacities with drivers varying in age from seven to well over 50 years old.

The Monarto Karting Complex is located on the Old Princess Highway, Monarto. Admission for spectators is free.

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