Preview: CIK Stars of Karting Geelong
| press release | 3 June 2013 |
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Australia’s elite karting championship, the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, will make its return to Geelong’s Beckley Park International Raceway next weekend (June 15/16).
It has been eight years since a round of the championship has been held at the Victorian venue and with next weekend’s event attracting in excess of 130 entries, the racing is expected to be scintillating once again.
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Above: The Pro Junior (KFJ) field in action
pic - AF Images/Budd
The last time the Series held a round in Geelong during 2005, it was current Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo who was victorious. Now, eight years on it is time for another young driver to star.
“It’s great to have the Series back, Geelong is one of the spiritual homes of the CIK Stars of Karting Series. It will be fantastic to see the elite level of our sport return next weekend,” said Geelong Kart Club’s Dominic Albanese.
“These drivers are among the best in the world, a couple of them have just returned from racing in Europe and we also have the 2011 World Cup Champion racing. Not for many years have we seen such a high calibre of field competing here at Geelong.
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Above: Local Geelong driver Matthew Hunt will line up in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category
pic - AF Images/Budd
“There’s a number of locals competing who will be looking to take the challenge up to the best drivers in their respective categories and everyone here at the Club can’t wait to see the karts fire up next weekend.”
As the five-round championship hits the midway point, reigning Pro Gearbox (KZ2) champion Chris Hays (Gold Coast, QLD) leads the chase for the John Pizarro Trophy ahead of Dutch driver Joey Hanssen in the Pro Gearbox ranks. Gold Coaster Troy Bretherton is in third place in the standings ahead of Melbourne trio Matthew Wall, Jason Pringle and Lee Mitchener.
Local drivers Matthew Hunt, Aaron Ivermee and Mark Domachenz will be looking to take the challenge to the championship contenders as they battle at speeds in excess of 130 km/h next weekend.
At the most recent round in South Australia it was Melbourne’s George Geranis who broke through for his maiden victory, as a result he is now only five points behind Kosmic Racing Australia’s Matthew Waters (Sydney, NSW) in the Pro Light (KF) standings. Queenslander Troy Loeskow is in third place ahead of Melbourne’s Jordan Nicoloau and Toowoomba’s Brooke Topp.
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Above: Gold Coaster Troy Brethertn is currently third in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) standings
pic - AF Images/Budd
Former Pro Junior (KFJ) Series Champion Pierce Lehane (Sydney, NSW) will be making a return to the championship with the Kart 1 Racing Redspeed team and will join the title contenders on the Pro Light grid in Geelong.
In the junior ranks, Melbourne teenager Liam McLellan has won both rounds of the Pro Junior (KFJ) championship thus far aboard his Italian-made OK1 chassis. As a result McLellan is leading the way for the $10,000 scholarship awarded to the champions in each of the three Pro categories to assist them in competing at an overseas CIK event.
Highlighting the depth of drivers all across the country, the top ten in the Pro Junior standings sees competitors from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia taking a stance.
In addition to the three Pro categories, the event will also double as the Victorian Championship for the TaG 125 Light and Heavy categories where local drivers Alistair Dyson, Kris Trotter and Aaron Hindle, who recently captured the Victorian Karting Series crown, are expected to feature prominently.
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Above: Sydney driver Matthew Waters is leading the Pro Light (KF) Championship
pic - AF Images/Budd
Drivers from as young as nine will be in action in the Rookies category and also newcomers to the sport will be in action in the TaG Restricted class.
Practice for the event will be held on Friday June 14 ahead of qualifying and the heat races on Saturday June 15. The finals will be contested on Sunday June 16. Admission is free for spectators.
The Geelong Kart Club is located on Broderick Road, Corio.
2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE
Championship Points after Round Two of Five
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Chris Hays 275
2. Joey Hanssen 263
3. Troy Bretherton 203
4. Matthew Wall 197
5. Jason Pringle 193
Pro Light (KF)
1. Matthew Waters 256
2. George Geranis 251
3. Troy Loeskow 213
4. Jordan Nicolaou 209
5. Brooke Topp 207
Pro Junior (KFJ)
1. Liam McLellan 235
2. James Abela 220
3. Kurt Kostecki 197
4. Andrew Kahl 192
5. Christopher Sandrone 187
Former Series Champions
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
2012 – Chris Hays (Energy/TM)
2011 – Tyler Greenbury (Intrepid/Maxter)
2010 – Matthew Wall (BRM/TM)
2005 – Bart Price (Arrow/TM)
2004 – Bart Price (Arrow/TM)
2003 – Tyson Pearce (Omega/TM)
2002 – Jason Burns (Mac Minerelli/TM)
Pro Light (KF)
2012 – Adam Hughes (Kosmic/IAME)
2011 – Jake Spencer (Kosmic/IAME)
2010 – Cian Fothergill (Kosmic/IAME)
2009 – Hayden McBride (Gillard/IAME)
2004 – Barclay Holden (Trulli/Parilla)
2003 – Barclay Holden (Trulli/Parilla)
2002 – Adam Graham (Arrow/Rotax)
2001 – Mark Winterbottom (Tony Kart/Vortex)
2000 – Neil McFadyen (Top Kart/Comer)
1999 – Jamie Whincup (Tecno/Parilla)
1998 – Ryan Wlodzinski (PCR/PCR)
1997 – David Clark (Tecno/Atomik)
1996 – Jeremy Lohmann (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1995 – Darrell Smith (PCR/PCR)
1994 – Phillip Scifleet (Haase/Italsistem)
1993 – Richard McLeod (Azzurro/Fox)
2011 – Cameron Hill (Top Kart/Vortex)
2011 – Pierce Lehane (CRG/Vortex)
2010 – Pierce Lehane (CRG/Vortex)
2005 – Joshua Scott (BRM)
2004 – Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart/Comer)
2003 – Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart/Comer)
2002 – Ben Chong Sun (Top Kart/Comer)
2001 – Tim Slade (Top Kart/Comer)
2000 – Andrew Thompson (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1999 – Adam Graham (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1998 – Neil McFadyen (Top Kart/Comer)
1997 – Michael Caruso (Tony Kart/Vortex)
1996 – Ryan Briscoe (CRG/CRG)
1995 – Ryan Briscoe (CRG/Parilla)
1994 – Christian Jones (CRG/Rotax)
1993 – Mike Hazelton (CRG/Parilla)
