Preview: 2013 Australian Sprintkart Endurance Titles
| event PR | 5 November 2013 |
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This weekend will see a big field of 21 teams or over 45 drivers compete in Australia's Bathurst of Karting being the 2013 Australian Sprintkart Endurance Titles held yet again at the highly regarded and ideally suited Raleigh Raceway on the North Coast of NSW.
The longest running two stroke endurance event in the country is testimony to its popularity, providing a serious challenge to drivers of all levels. This event will yet again put those drivers and teams to the test.
The event will again attract some of the best endurance racers in the Country, and quite a few first timers. For over a decade the event has seen some of Australia's best drivers tackle this track and format as it offer so much more than the regular sprint format can ever offer. 300 laps [ 315klm] around the ideal 1050m of Raleigh Raceway proves a mighty challenge for all drivers, with stints of 90 laps or about 1 hr 15 minutes behind the wheel doing near qualifying pace certainly tests the drivers stamina and concentration. The event is a real endurance event in every sense of the word in that it adopts a “live” pit lane that is there are NO time-outs everything is live, pit stops are done under green flag conditions. Safety Karts is also employed and usually impacts on the race strategies and unpredictable times. This adds something to the event a sprint race just cannot, the ability to apply a strategy and be ready to alter at a moments notice, its never a boring pedestrian event, lap times are usually within a second of qualifying so the pace is always on.
The venue is ideal for this type of racing with a long pit lane that allows teams to set-up alongside allowing for drive to and from pit bays ala v8 style. The long flowing straights, combination fast and slow corners provides drivers with constant challenges demanding full attention. Being an enduro the on track racing has been tough and hard but also very clean, as any “risky” move could risk contact and possible damage and a costly return to the pits. In fact in the 15 years of the event there has been very few on track incidents that have required penalties being issued.
The event as usual will allow all 125cc engines eligible and will see the appearance of the PRD GALAXY engine in endurance format driven by the Kart Connect team, in 2 weight divisions heavy and light, running on a drivers choice of the MOJO, MG RED or SL6 tyre. All senior drivers [ 16y/o +] are eligible AKA licence holders, CAMS, Auskart licence are also recognised and accepted. Teams of two or three drivers are required, max fuel tank of 10litres, two sets of tyres, Timed qualifying session to determine starting grid. With a top 10 shoot-out also employed.
A good battle worth watching will be in the Light Div with past winners Wildbunch with Paul Morandini leading the charge rejoin is usual battle with Luke Wall multiple winner of the event. Both are hard chargers and will lead the way, hopefully, However the Simple Web and MVR teams will surely give them something to watch out for as the Ferry boys combined with Haswell and Orr and Field are not slow and will surely figure in the race. 2012 winners Baily/Hanly combo will have to test themselves hard this year to defend their title with the co-driver from last year pedalling for another team, the battle will be on. The Heavy div will see a battle from the bush with the Moree crews doing battle, ably led by past winner Michael Abrahamsen who has even pestered for outright win last year. Cunning strategists Affordable Palletts will surely lurk in the background employing their usual cloak and dagger stuff trying to yet again add to their ever growing trophy cabinet.
Mother nature is forecast to play a role yet again and surely will put the cat amongst the pigeons and surely test the pit managers to the fullest. Endurance racing doesn't always mean the fastest will always win, many things are needed to endure a podium finish and that’s what makes enduros so fascinating its a TEAM effort mental and physical. ALL eyes will be on the track 10am Sunday for the green flag.
