Practice Report: Coates Hire Race of Stars


  18 October 2013
 

The inaugural Coates Hire Race of Stars kicked off at the Xtreme Karting Facility on the Gold Coast today.

As a part of the V8 Superfest, the event has seen 150 of Australia and New Zealand’s best kart racers converge on the Pimpama venue, including Porsche Carrera Cup driver Michael Patrizi who is competing in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category.

After setting the fifth fastest time in the opening practice session, Patrizi encountered a gearbox issue in the second but ended the day full of enthusiasm for tomorrow’s action.

Pit crews and team members watching on as drivers test and practice today
Above: Pit crews and team members watching on as drivers test and practice today
pic - AF Images/Budd

“This event is superb. It is great to finally be at a track here in Australia where we can really show off what these karts are capable of,” said Patrizi.

“The layout is the closest thing to any circuit in Europe and I’m having a ball.

“Straight out of the box I was fifth fastest, and then had a gearbox issue in the second session. I’m very excited about racing tomorrow.”

With the six-speed 125cc Gearbox karts powering the drivers to speeds in excess of 150 km/h around the 1125-metre circuit, it is arguably the fastest many of the drivers have travelled at in their karting careers.

One such driver is Sydney teenager Joseph Burton-Harris.

“I can feel the g-forces as we race through turn one, it is a real ‘European’ style circuit and unlike anything else we’ve got here in Australia,” said Burton-Harris.

New Zealand Champion Aaron Marr has joined with the Kosmic Racing Australia team for this weekend’s event before finishing the day eighth fastest.

“The track is a whole lot of fun, it’s a bit narrow but it is really quick and flowing. I think it will produce some good racing tomorrow,” said Marr.

“It is always a great experience to race against the best drivers in Australia, every time I come over here I learn a lot more about kart set-up. When you’re racing against such high quality of drivers, it’s always a great challenge.”

Kris Walton leading Lydon Dodge during practice in the TaG 125 category
Above: Kris Walton leading Lydon Dodge during practice in the TaG 125 category
pic - AF Images/Budd

In the Pro classes, it was Jason Pringle (Pro Gearbox-KZ2), Brooke Topp (Pro Light-KF) and Bryce Fullwood (Pro Junior-KFJ), who set the pace this afternoon.

New South Wales driver Zak Lobko was fastest in the Cadets category while Victorian Jacob Prestipino (Junior National) and local driver Adam Mercer (TaG 125) set the pace in their respective categories.

The action kicks off tomorrow at 8:30am with qualifying, the finals are set to begin at 2:30pm.

Joining the action throughout the day will be a number of V8 Supercar and V8 Ute drivers in a ProAm race where they will be paired up with Government representatives, Management from V8 Supercars, Coates Hire and the Australian Karting Association, Media personalities and Corporate guests.

Entry to the Coates Hire Race of Stars is free and the Xtreme Karting Facility is located at 540 Pimpama Jacobs Well Road, Pimpama.

Michael Patrizi suiting up for practice at the Coates Hire Race of Stars today
Above: Michael Patrizi suiting up for practice at the Coates Hire Race of Stars today
pic - AF Images/Budd


Above: Video action and interviews from practice at the Coates Hire Race of Stars

 

Coates Hire Race of Stars
Xtreme Karting Facility
Gold Coast, QLD

RESULTS: Practice (Top Five)

Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Jason Pringle 40.466
2. Chris Hays 40.476
3. Joey Hanssen 40.610
4. Joseph Burton- Harris 40.722
5. Kel Treseder 40.732

Pro light (KF)
1. Brooke Topp 43.058
2. Troy Loeskow 43.196
3. Joshua Smith 43.230
4. Brock Plumb 43.279
5. Josh Crossingham 43.383

Pro Junior (KFJ)
1. Bryce Fullwood 44.709
2. Chris Sandrone 44.923
3. Josh Rogers 44.934
4. Andrew Kahl 44.950
5. Jacob Bright 45.003

TaG 125
1.Adam Mercer 45.318
2. Kris Walton 45.366
3. Ben Stewart 45.451
4. Luke Baldry 45.545
5. Adam Briggs 45.582

Junior National
1. Jacob Prestpino 51.222
2. William Brown 51.321
3. Aaron Cameron 51.455
4. Zach Patel 51.535
5. Harrison Oddie 51.877

Cadets
1. Zak Lobko 54.578
2. Benito Montalbano 55.010
3. Callum Hedge 55.036
4. Lachlan Hughes 55.059
5. Broc Feeney 55.103

A full field of 32 drivers in the Cadets category will face the starter tomorrow
Above: A full field of 32 drivers in the Cadets category will face the starter tomorrow
pic - AF Images/Budd


 

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