Overseas Trips On The Line At Stars of Karting Final
Tweetpress release
Victorian drivers in the box seat to claim elite karting crowns
The battle lines will be drawn during the final round of Australia’s elite karting championship, the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, at Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit on September 22/23.
Entering the final event in the five-round schedule, Mentone’s Adam Hughes and Narre Warren’s Daniel Rochford look set to battle it out for the top honour in the Pro Light (KF1) category.
Above: Adam Hughes leading his JAM Racing team-mate Jake Spencer at Eastern Creek
pic - AF Images/Budd
A mere nine points separate the pair at the top of the standings with the current holder of the James Courtney trophy, (awarded to the champion) Jake Spencer (Wantirna, Vic), a further 25 points back in third place.
“I'm super excited to be in contention for the championship going into the last round, especially after last year’s horror run of poor reliability that left me wondering what could have been in 2011,” said Hughes.
“It’s going to be really tough battling it out with Rochford and the other competitors, but that's what makes it feel so good when I manage to have a win!
“I can only hope the racing is firm but fair and that we all have great reliability throughout the whole meeting. If I can get the championship, it will make it two Pro Light championships in as many years for the JAM Racing team which would be a huge reward for everyone involved.”
With four drivers separated by only 32 points entering this month’s final round, the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Championship is also far from being decided. Essendon’s Jason Pringle is currently third in the points standings and with $10,000 to compete in an overseas CIK event to accompany the championship trophy, he will be giving it his all on his home track.
Above: Essendon driver Jason Pringle is right in contention for the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) championship
pic - AF Images/Budd
“To be entering the final round with a genuine chance of still taking the win in the series is something that really excites me, it would be a dream come true to be be able to compete in a European KZ race with the CRG factory team,” said Pringle.
“There will be some very tight racing and even though Todd Road is my home circuit, a lot of the other top guys have done a heap of racing here so the home track advantage isn’t as much as what it is for some others on their home track.
“In a lead up event (City of Melbourne Titles) recently I had some good speed and won, so hopefully I can continue this good form and have a bit of luck go my way.”
While Canberra’s Cameron Hill has already got one hand on the Jon Targett trophy, awarded to the champion in the Pro Junior (KF3) category, Narre Warren’s Thomas Randle will be out to spoil his victory party.
Randle, who currently sits fifth in the standings, has been the hottest property in Australian karting over the past two months having remained undefeated over his past five events. On his home circuit the 16 year-old is confident of enjoying the spoils of victory next weekend.
“Entering the final round I’m very confident as it is on my home track,” said Randle.
Above: Second-generation Narre Warren driver Thomas Randle in action
pic - AF Images/Budd
“I think the competition is going to be very tough, both (Cameron) Hill and (Jake) Coleman have won rounds this year but where they’re focused on the championship I’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
“I feel that the championship is still in reach and hope to get some very valuable points. The Todd Road circuit is very tricky, and I think it’s going to be very close racing.”
Each champion in the three Pro categories will receive $10,000 towards competing in an overseas CIK event in their respective categories while the series’ runner-up receives free race tyres for the 2013 series and third place free race entry for the 2013 series.
Also competing at the event will be the Yamaha (Clubman and Junior National) and Australian Leopard Challenges.
Entering the final round James Greenwood holds a commanding lead in the Clubman category while the Junior National battles are still wide open with Jayden Ojeda (Light) and Torey Blanch (Heavy) leading the way.
In the Australian Leopard Challenge, South Australian Jedd Stojakovic has been very consistent to lead the way in the Light category while Mount Evelyn’s Michael Griffiths is currently on top in the Leopard Heavy category.
CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS - Top Five after round 4 of 5
PRO LIGHT (KF1)
1. Adam Hughes 510
2. Daniel Rochford 501
3. Jake Spencer 476
4. Cian Fothergill 469
5. Joseph Mawson 431
PRO GEARBOX (KZ2)
1. Kyle Ensbey 498
2. Chris Hays 485
3. Jason Pringle 479
4. Tyler Greenbury 467
5. Lee Mitchener 438
PRO JUNIOR (KF3)
1. Cameron Hill 535
2. Jake Coleman 473
3. Brock Plumb 458
4. Joseph Burton-Harris 452
5. Thomas Randle 437
YAMAHA CHALLENGE
Clubman
1. James Greenwood 303
2. Brenton Simonds 224
3. Samantha Millar 187
4. Daniel Nolan 185
=4. Chris Farkas 185
Junior National Light
1. Jayden Ojeda 217
2. William Hawkes 206
3. Justin Ford 173
4. Russell Whittaker 142
5. Drew Ridge 113
Junior National Heavy
1. Torey Blanch 173
2. Mitchell Kennedy 151
3. Reece Davidson 140
4. Thomas Chitty 128
5. James Duckworth 125
AUSTRALIAN LEOPARD CHALLENGE
Leopard Light
1. Jedd Stojakovic 282
2. Adam Mercer 233
3. Iain McDougall 226
4. Ben Stewart 224
5. Adam Willison 221
Leopard Heavy
1. Michael Griffiths 288
2. Matthew Boylan 230
3. Travis Martin 227
4. Gaven Whitmore 209
5. Michael Hazelton 207
