Bathurst Winner On The Spanners At CIK
| press release | 26 April 2013 |
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BATHURST 1000 CHAMPION AT CIK STARS OF KARTING ROUND
2011 Bathurst 1000 Champion Nick Percat will turn back to the clock during the CIK Stars of Karting round presented by Castrol EDGE at South Australia’s Bolivar Raceway this weekend.
The South Australian will act as mechanic and mentor for reigning Pro Light Champion Adam Hughes, who is this weekend making his debut in the Pro Gearbox category.
Above: Video of the news from Bolivar
by CIK Stars of Karting
“I’ve been summoned by Hughsey to help him out on the tools this weekend as his number one mechanic can’t be here. We’ve formed a pretty good relationship over the past year or so. I’m pretty excited to be here,” said Percat.
“I’ve watched the series for a few years and I’m really enjoying the racing. I love seeing the young guys come through.
Percat, who will drive with Tony D’Alberto Racing in the 2013 Bathurst 1000, spent many of his formative years at the Bolivar Raceway and now uses the sport as a part of his training from his Melbourne base.
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Above: Nick Percat assisting Adam Hughes during today's practice at Bolivar Raceway
pic: AF/Budd
“It was here (Bolivar Raceway) and the Go-Kart Club of South Australia that I did a lot of my miles in the Junior Clubman days. It’s an awesome track, I’ve got some really good memories of this place,” said Percat.
“The thing with Supercars and the Porsches is that they are not massive physical across your upper body and the go-kart really gives it to you. It is good fitness training, keeps my eye in and my bum in the seat.
“I’ll generally go out three weeks before my next race to keep my hand/eye co-ordination up and prepare for the next race meeting.”
A total of 140 entries, including 69 across the three Pro categories, have been received for this weekend’s second round of the 2013 Championship – where competitors will reach speeds in excess of 120 km/h.
After one round, Chris Hays holds a narrow lead in the Pro Gearbox championship over Dutch driver Joey Hanssen. Western Australian Luke Gabin is the points leader in the Pro Light category while Haase kart driver Damon Strongman is the leader in the chase for the Pro Junior championship. Throughout the year there is more than $40,000 in prizes up for grabs by competitors in the three pro categories, including a $10,000 scholarship to each champion to compete in a karting event overseas.
Practice is being contested today with racing from 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.
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Above: Adam Hughes in action during today's practice
pic: AF/Budd
2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE
Championship Points (After 1 of 5 rounds)
PRO GEARBOX (KZ2)
1. Christopher HAYS (Gold Coast, QLD) 141
2. Joey HANSSEN (Netherlands) 138
3. Troy BRETHERTON (Gold Coast, QLD) 107
4. Kel TRESEDER (Bundaberg, QLD)102
5. John GROTHER (Gladstone, QLD) 99
PRO LIGHT (KF)
1. Luke GABIN (Perth, QLD) 144
2. Brooke TOPP (Toowoomba, QLD) 132
3. Matthew WATERS (Sydney, QLD) 122
4. George GERANIS (Melbourne, VIC) 114
5. Joshua SMITH (Townsville, QLD) 107
=5. Lachlan GIBBONS (Sydney, NSW) 107
