Russ Occhipinti - Victoria's Best Again
| press release | 27 November 2015 |
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Russ Occhipinti has won the Victorian Superkart Club Non-Gearbox Light championship for the sixth time along with the club's Driver of the Year award for the fourth time.
Russ also won the prestigious Gold Nugget in 2015 as well as coming 2nd at the 2015 Non-Gearbox Nationals
He beat home a talented field to claim the individual driver’s honours at a special presentation on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s an absolute honour to win this prize and it wouldn’t have been possible without my sponsor’s, Woodgate Racing and Ace Karts,” Occhipinti said.
“It was a long season and it’s nice to be recognized for the hard work put in by the team.”
It was a clean sweep at Broadford as he raced home first in every race to seal his fine season. “It was a nice way to finish,” he said.
“It’s always tough to put in a whole weekend of work with the team, so to get the success in that fashion is very rewarding.”
From Melbourne’s west, Occhipinti works as a Workshop Manager at sponsor Ace Karts. He has been at the Albion-based go-karting centre since its establishment in 1994.
“Working in the field I am so passionate about, I couldn’t ask for more,” Occhipinti said. “Ace Karts has been behind me from the start and I’m grateful for their support. The business continues to grow so it’s nice to contribute where I can.”
Occhipinti has a history of collecting major awards.
In 1998, he was awarded the Phillip Island Formula Ford Trophy, awarded to the Victorian champion in the class.
It means he is part of a club that includes current and former V8 Supercar drivers Mark Winterbottom, Tony D’Alberto, Marcus Marshall, Adam Macrow and Luke Youlden.
Following his success, Occhipinti remains unsure as to what level he’ll be racing at next season.
“I’m not ready to stop yet,” he said. “But at what level, that’s something I’m still unsure about.”
Occhipinti thanked John Gonzalez and wife Sofia for their ongoing support of the team.
He also thanked the Victorian Super Kart Club for its work in organizing the series.