2019 Race of Stars - Race Program by Karting Australia

An Official Off Track Event of the 2019 Vodafone Gold Coast 600

2019

October 17-19, 2019

Race of Stars O F F I C I A L

E V E N T

P R O G R A M

WELCOME TO THE

RACE OF STARS

Karting Australia Chairman - Mick Doohan

On behalf of Karting Australia I would like to welcome everyone to the seventh annual Race of Stars at the Xtreme Karting Complex in the lead up to the Vodafone Gold Coast 600. Each year, this event has continually grown in stature as it showcases not only the best drivers from all across Australia but also some of the best in the world.

We welcome everyone who has traveled to event. I hope you all enjoy the Race of Stars as well as some of the great sights that the Gold Coast region has to offer. During the past six years this event has been a real showcase for the sport of karting and generated a significant amount of interest throughout the motorsport community across

Australia and also the karting community around the globe, I expect that this year will be no different. I would like to thank Ian Holm and his Xtreme Karting team for their continual support of the Race of Stars concept at their fantastic venue. Thank you also to Sean Seamer and the staff at Supercars Australia, Mayor Tom Tate and the City of Gold

Coast along with the many other supporters of this fantastic event. Karting is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, so if you like what you see here today, be sure to visit karting.net. au to find your local Club and get on track.

Gold Coast City Council Mayor - Tom Tate There is nothing quite as thrilling as the adrenaline rush you get from hugging the ground in a racing kart. It’s pure excitement. I love it! There will be plenty of this action soon when the Xtreme Karting Complex at Pimpama hosts the 2019 Karting Australia Race of Stars from October 17-19. Fans will get to see the best of the best including twelvetime French Champion Anthony Abbasse, who won this event last year, and multiple-time World Champion Davide Fore But the talent coming from

all across Australia, along with New Zealand, Europe and Asia will ensure no-one can be certain of winning this fantastic event. Perhaps an Aussie will show them all how it’s done on home soil. Gold Coast local Chris Hays did just that in the first race of this series so he may again deliver us some local and national pride. In all, around 250 competitors will vie to be winners and there is something for everyone with races even for karters as young as nine years old. It proves the value of karting as a true family sport.

I am delighted that the Pimpama circuit has been chosen as the venue for this great event. It is billed as the longest and fastest hire kart circuit in the nation and it promises some magic action. It is one of many showcase sporting facilities of international standard on the Gold Coast and demonstrates why this is the greatest city on the planet to live the Aussie dream. As the all-important leadin event to the heart-stopping GC600 the following weekend, Karting Australia’s Race of Stars

is proof that Gold Coast is a sporting events capital of global standing. We know how to show people a great time and I hope to see you there. You’ll love it!

Xtreme Karting Complex Owner - Ian Holm The Gold Coast Motorsport Training Centre, home of Xtreme Karting, welcomes competitors and spectators from all over the world and Australia to the 2019 “Race of Stars” here at Pimpama on Queensland’s beautiful Gold Coast. The “Race of Stars” has built a solid reputation over the last 6 years as Australia’s Number 1 International Karting event. This once a year highlight on the Karting Australia calendar attracts thousands of people to witness the best International and Australian karting talent. It is fantastic to see our homegrown karting champions

match it with current World Champions and other World’s best karters across all classes of racing. Congratulations to Karting Australia as organisers of the event and the Supercars organization for continuing to include the “Race of Stars” as a feature leading up to the Gold Coast 600. The international reputation and local popularity this event has built along with the obvious economic benefits to local business on the Gold Coast are hard to ignore. Karting has an enormous and growing level of support, it’s great to see the sport being

put on display in a way that will contribute both to the marketing of the sport and the Gold Coast as an exciting tourism destination. Xtreme Karting is very proud to be a participant in the off-track events for the Gold Coast 600 to showcase karting at its best. The racing in this world class event will be outstanding and it is great to have the Karting fans and the Motorsport community back at our circuit to enjoy the spectacle. To all drivers and teams good luck with your racing…. to the spectators I hope you enjoy this immensely exciting

program of competition and the outstanding talent on show. I hope to see you back at the track in one of our karts sometime soon. To our neighbours who support the facility thank you for your support and ongoing assistance it is very much appreciated.

FROM KARTS TO

SUPERCARS KARTING is the breeding ground for tomorrow’s Supercar Stars

Every one of the current full-time drivers in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship starting their motorsport journey in a kart. Many of the skills they developed during their time on the kart track are used by the drivers decades down down the track. Here’s a look back at where they all started their careers. 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 12 14 15 17 18

Scott Pye Garry Jacobson Lee Holdsworth Cameron Waters Andre Heimgartner Nick Percat David Reynolds Fabian Coulthard Tim Slade Rick Kelly Scott McLaughlin Mark Winterbottom

Mt Gambier Karting Club SA Goulburn Valley Kart Club VIC Ipswich Kart Club QLD Mildura Kart Club VIC Kartsport Mt Wellington NZ Go-Kart Club of SA SA Albury/Wodonga Kart Club VIC Kartsport Hamilton NZ Southern Go-Kart Club SA Mildura Kart Club VIC Kartsport Hamilton NZ Karting Australia (NSW) NSW

19 21 22 23 33 34 35 55 78 88 97 99

Jack LeBrocq Macauley Jones James Courtney Will Davison Richie Stanaway James Golding Todd Hazelwood Chaz Mostert Simona de Silverstro Jamie Whincup Shane van Gisbergen Anton de Pasquale

Mark Winterbottom

James Courtney

Jamie Whincup

Go-Kart Club of Victoria VIC Albury/Wodonga Kart Club VIC Karting Australia (NSW) NSW Eastern Lions Kart Club VIC Kartsport Bay of Plenty NZ Gippsland Kart Club VIC Southern Go-Kart Club SA Ipswich Kart Club QLD Swiss Karting Federation Switzerland Eastern Lions Kart Club VIC Kartsport Auckland NZ Geelong Kart Club VIC

The who’s who of karting come to the Gold Coast

WHERE THE STARS

CONVERGE THE RACE OF STARS is a concept designed to attract the best drivers on a unique circuit to provide a true showcase for the sport of karting.

AUSTRALIA’S BEST VERSUS THE WORLD The Race of Stars International Karting Event has developed into Australian Karting’s stand-alone blue ribbon event. Attracting the best drivers from all across Australia, and various parts of the world, the Winner’s Surfboards are becoming one of the most sought after trophies in karting across the globe. Over the years, the Race of Stars has seen many of the rising stars in the world of motorsport compete alongside some of the world’s best drivers. Drivers such as recently crowned World Champion Marijn Kremers and his predecessors Paolo de Conto and Davide Fore have been regular competitors over the past five years. Last year, 12-time French Champion Anthony Abbasse joined them on the Gold Coast alongside European stars Lorenzo Camplese and Giancarlo Pollini. American Juan Manuel Correa made the trip Down Under to compete at the event when he was a part of the Lotus Junior Formula 1 Academy.

Current Formula Renault EuroCup driver Oscar Piastri is a former winner of the event - as is recently crowned Australian TCR Champion and current Super2 Series Competitor Will Brown. The list of former competitors at the Race of Stars who have gone on to begin forging a successful career in motorsport is a lengthy one. These drivers include the likes of Jack Doohan, who is currently competing in a number of formula categories throughout Europe and Asia in 2019 and recently crowned Super3 Series Champion Broc Feeney. Local driver Chris Hays is the only Australian driver to hold the elite KZ2 Winner’s Surfboard aloft. The Gold Coast claimed the victory in the inaugural event ahead of Dutchman Joey Hanssen. Hays is also the current holder of the Jim Morton Perpetual Trophy awarded to the highest placed Australian in the field.

PREVIOUS RACE OF STARS WINNERS

“THE SURFBOARD TROPHY IS ONE OF THE COOLEST TROPHIES I’VE EVER WON” DUAL WORLD KARTING CHAMPION PAOLO DE CONTO

2018

2017

2016

KZ2 Anthony Abbasse (France) KA2 Reuben Goodall (SA) TaG 125 Reece Cohen (NSW) DD2 Damian Ward (QLD) KA3 Senior Benito Montalbano (NSW) KA3 Junior Luke Pink (QLD) KA4 Junior Hugh Barter (VIC) Cadet 12 Carter Mobbs (QLD)

KZ2 Paolo De Conto (Italy) KA2 Lochie Hughes (QLD) TaG 125 Brendan Nelson (QLD) KA3 Senior James Sera (VIC) KA3 Junior Harrison Hoey (QLD) KA4 Junior Zac Crichton (NSW) Cadet 12 Marcos Flack (QLD)

KZ2 Paolo De Conto (Italy) KA2 Jace Matthews (QLD) TaG 125 Brendan Nelson (QLD) KA3 Senior Declan Fraser (QLD) KA3 Junior Declan Matthews (QLD) KA4 Junior Joshua Smith (QLD) Cadet 12 Adrian Haak (NSW)

2015

2014

2013

KZ2 Davide Fore (Italy) KA2 Oscar Piastri (VIC) TaG 125 Ben Finch (QLD) KA3 Senior James Litzow (QLD) KA3 Master Paul McNeil (QLD) KA4 Junior Thomas Davies (NSW) Cadet 12 Jay Hanson (VIC)

KZ2 Davide Fore (Italy) KA2 Zane Morse (ACT) TaG 125 Cian Fothergill (QLD) KA4 Junior Cody Brewczynski (NSW) Cadet 9 Cooper Webster (VIC)

KZ2 Chris Hays (QLD) KA1 Troy Loeskow (QLD) KA2 Andrew Kahl (ACT) TaG 125 Ben Stewart (QLD) KA4 Junior Will Brown (VIC) Cadet 9 Benito Montalbano (NSW)

THE CHAMPIONS

ARE HERE THE WORLD’S BEST gather on the Gold Coast for the 2019 Race of Stars

ANTHONY ABBASSE In his first visit to Australia in 2018, Frenchman Anthony Abbasse was victorious at the Race of Stars, this year he’s back focused on taking home another surfboard.

Having won karting events in every corner of the globe over the past three decades, Davide Fore is the most recognisable names in the world of karting - and he’s back to chase another Race of Stars Surfboard in 2019. The Italian was James Courtney’s team-mate when the 2010 Supercars Champion was victorious at the World Karting Championship in 1995 and 1997. Now, almost 25 years later, the pair will be joining forces once again with Forè set to pilot an Australian-designed JC Kart on the Gold Coast with Courtney’s former mentor Jon Targett as his mechanic. JC Kart is a joint venture between Courtney and Targett formed in 2015 that sees Courtney involved with the sport that provided him with so many opportunities during his formative years. “Having my own brand of kart means a lot to me, it’s great seeing all of the kids coming through the ranks and enjoying the sport of karting like I did with my family. To have Davide join our team for the Race of Stars is something that I’m really excited about,” said Courtney. “There’s no bigger name in the world of karting, there’s not many major events that he hasn’t won and he’s a fantastic ambassador for the sport of karting.” Forè, who became the first back-to-back winner of the Race of Stars in 2014 and 2015, is excited about heading back to Australia to chase a third winner’s surfboard. “Australia holds a special place in my heart.

I first raced there during the mid nineties in Coffs Harbour and after making a number of trips over the past five years I’ve met some great people and can’t wait to see everyone again,” said Forè. “Teaming up with James is something that I’m really looking forward to. We’ve known each other for more than 20 years and to be able to compete aboard a kart designed by him and Jon is a real honour.” Other International drivers joining Forè on the grid in the KZ2 class is reigning Race of Stars winner Anthony Abbasse, Singaporian teenager Jaiden Jin, New Zealand Champions Matthew Payne and Matthew Kinsman. Abbasse, a 12-time French Champion, was victorious on his Australian debut in the corresponding event last year. “Coming to Australia last year was an amazing experience, winning the surfboard trophy just topped the whole trip off,” said Abbasse. “The Gold Coast is such a beautiful place to go to race. Along with the racing I got to see some amazing beaches and scenery – I even got to hold a Koala – it was really fun. “I really enjoyed my visit and the racing was very competitive, to win for the Sodi Kart Australia team was a great reward for everyone who put in so much effort behind the scenes.” Canadian Thomas Nepveu is making his Australian debut in the TaG 125 class while Singaporian Ariel Erez will be lining up in the Cadet 12 class.

DAVIDE FORE The Italian driver is the most successful driver of the modern era winning in all parts of the globe and has got his sights set on a third Race of Stars Winner’s Surfboard.

“COMING TO AUSTRALIA LAST YEAR WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE, WINNING THE SURFBOARD TROPHY TOPPED IT ALL OFF” ANTHONY ABBASSE 2018 KZ2 WINNER

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GETTING INVOLVED IN THE SPORT OF KARTING Kart Racing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, it’s not just for the youngsters but also for the young at heart. Karting Australia licence holders range from as young as six to the oldest current member being in excess of 80 years of age. For Cadets and Juniors, Karting Australia has the SP Tools Junior Sprockets Program to provide the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of driving an authentic racing kart in a safe and controlled environment. Each participant progresses through a series of activity stations where they will learn the basics of karting.

The structured program operates in the School Holiday periods across the country. The 2020 dates will be announced on karting.net.au in the near future. The Bring A Mate Program allows Licence Holders to ‘Bring a Mate’ to try the sport of karting. The program is open to women and men, girls and boys so long as they are in the year of their 12th birthday or older. ‘Bring a Mate’ is a demonstration experience that can be hosted by any Karting Australia Club across the Country. Obtaining a licence and joining a Club now a simple online process, to find out more contact your local karting Club or kart retailer, who will be able to assist you.

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THE ULTIMATE MENTOR

JIM MORTON JIM MORTON was a mentor to many of today’s modern day Supercar drivers during his time in the Australian karting scene, each year the Race of Stars honours his contribution to the sport.

Australian drivers in the KZ2 class at the Race of Stars are battling for a honour in the annual event - the Jim Morton Perpetual trophy presented by Castrol EDGE. Each year, the trophy will have the name of the highest placed Australian in the international KZ2 field etched on it. Morton, who lost his battle with aggressive cancer, Mesothelioma, in December 2014, was responsible for providing a start to some of this country’s biggest names through his karting and Supercars development teams including James Courtney, Ryan Briscoe, Mark Winterbottom, Jason Bright, Michael Caruso, Warren Luff, Alan Gurr, James Gurr, Adam Clarke and Adam Graham. Morton was the original DAP kart importer in the 1980s with drivers Tim Pauling and Ben Horstmann. He then set up the successful Castrol-backed Tony Kart

operation which set a new benchmark in Australian karting and which was the breeding ground for some of this country’s greats. 2010 Virgin Australia Supercars champion, ex-F1 test driver and current Walkinshaw Andretti United Racing star, Courtney won his junior karting world championship in 1995 under Morton’s watch before winning his world senior title in 1997, setting him up to chase his F1 dream. Another who had one of the closest relationships with Morton is former Nissan Supercars driver Michael Caruso. Caruso started his karting career with Morton and maintained a place under his wing before enjoying a couple of seasons in his Decina Development Series team in 2006 (4th) and 2007 (2nd).

JIM MORTON PERPETUAL TROPHY WINNERS Chris Hays (2013, 2014 & 2018), Kyle Ensbey (2015), Tomas Gasperak (2016), Pierce Lehane (2017)

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Motorsport has been long considered as a male-dominated sport, however, it is continually becoming the scene where more females are lining up on the grid. At this weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race of Stars at the Xtreme Karting Complex, no less than 11 female drivers will be suiting up. Leading the charge for the ladies is 2018 Ladies Trophy Winner Taylah Agius in the elite KZ2 class.. The Gold Coast teenager has continually taken the challenge to more experienced rivals throughout the year and will be one to watch this weekend. Summer Allen and Annabelle Rolfo will be completing double duties this weekend

as they complete in the elite KA2 class along with the KA3 Junior class. Joining them on the grid in the KA3 Junior field will be Macey Cluderay and Jacinta Hoey. Gabriele Lowry will fly the flag for the women in the TaG 125 class - as will Lily Stevens in KA4 Junior. Third-generation racer Alice Buckley will be out to chase the elusive Winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surfboard in the Cadet 12 class where she will be joined by Yamana Sternbeck. In the KA3 Senior class, Victoria Lopes and Brieann Moyse will take up the challenge to the boys.

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THE CLASSES

EXPLAINED TECH INFO Cadet 12 Driver Age: 9-12 years Engine: 60cc air-cooled Vortex MiniRok Tyres: Bridgestone YJL Minimum Weight: 108kg KA4 Junior Driver Age: 12-16 years Engine: 100cc air-cooled IAME KA100 (restricted) Tyres: Bridgestone YLR Minimum Weight: 132kg Karting is a sport that caters for people, both men and women, of all ages. At this weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race of Stars event on the Gold Coast, seven of Karting Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different classes will be in action. While drivers can start racing as young as seven years of age in the Cadet 9 class, the youngest drivers on track this weekend will be those in the Cadet 12 class. In this class drivers aged between nine and 12 years of age are powered by a 60cc Vortex Mini Rok engine on a chassis fitted with a Bridgestone YJL tyre. The next step in the karting pyramid is the KA4 Junior class. This is for drivers between 12 and 16 years of age. The Class uses the IAME KA100 engine, fitted with an exhaust restrictor reducing the maximum output to approximately 14 horsepower. After gaining the necessary licencing endorsements, youngsters may opt to move into the more powerful KA3 Junior class. Using the same IAME KA100 engine, but with the exhaust restrictor removed allowing the engine to produce approximately 20 horsepower. Drivers in the KA3 Junior class use the controlled Dunlop DFM (medium compound) tyres. The elite junior class in Australian karting is KA2. Using the high-powered water-cooled 125cc Vortex DVS-Junior powerplant on a chassis fitted with Dunlop

DFM tyres. Drivers in this class, aged between 13 and 16 years old, are expected to reach speeds in excess of 120 km/h this weekend. The traditional entry-level class for Senior competitors is KA3 Senior. All characteristics in this Senior class are the same as the KA3 Junior class, the only exception is the minimum driver and kart weight that increases from 144kg at a Junior level to 159kg at a Senior Championship level. The mid-range Senior class in terms of performance is the TaG 125 class. It is in this class where spectators will witness a variety of homologated 125cc watercooled engines such as the Rotax, IAME X30 and PRD Galaxy. All three engines produce similar overall horsepower of approximately 28hp, however, the delivery characteristics of this power is different between the various makes producing some very exciting racing. The pinnacle in the world of karting is the KZ Gearbox class. With six-speed water-cooled 125cc engines producing approximately 46 horsepower, the elite drivers in this class will reach speeds in excess of 160km/h around the 1690m Xtreme Karting Complex this weekend on board their chassis fitted with the MG FZ (Yellow) tyres.

KA3 Junior Driver Age: 13-16 years Engine: 100cc air-cooled IAME KA100 Tyres: Dunlop DFM Minimum Weight: 144kg KA2 Driver Age: 13-16 years Engine: 125cc water-cooled Vortex DVS-J Tyres: Dunlop DFM Minimum Weight: 142kg KA3 Senior Driver Age: 15+ years Engine: 100cc air-cooled IAME KA100 Tyres: Dunlop DFM Minimum Weight: 159kg TaG 125 Driver Age: 15+ years Engine: 125cc water-cooled Rotax 125cc water-cooled IAME X30 125cc water-cooled PRD Galaxy Tyres: MG AZ (Red) Minimum Weight: 170kg/172kg KZ2 Driver Age: 15+ years Engine: 125cc water-cooled of various makes fitted with a six-speed gearbox Tyres: MG FZ (Yellow) Minimum Weight: 177kg

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON

WHEN THURSDAY

FRIDAY

07:00 Gates Open 07:45 Senior Drivers Briefing 08:10 Junior Drivers Briefing 08:30 KZ2 Practice 08:53 KA3 Junior Practice 09:16 KA3 Senior Practice 09:39 Cadet 12 (1) Practice 10:02 Cadet 12 (2) Practice 10:25 KA4 Junior Practice 10:48 TaG 125 (1) Practice 11:11 TaG 125 (2) Practice 11:34 KA2 Practice 11:57 KZ2 Practice 12:20 12:35 12:35 KA3 Junior Practice 12:58 KA3 Senior Practice 13:21 Cadet 12 (1) Practice 13:44 Cadet 12 (2) Practice 14:07 KA4 Junior Practice 14:30 TaG 125 (1) Practice 14:53 TaG 125 (2) Practice 15:16 KA2 Practice 15:39 KZ2 Practice 18:00 Gates Closed

07:00 Gates Open 08:30 KA3 Junior Qualifying 8 Min 08:44 KA3 Senior Qualifying 8 Min 08:58 Cadet 12 (Lwr 50%) Qualifying 09:12 Cadet 12 (Upp 50%) Qualifying 09:26 KA4 Junior Qualifying 8 Min 09:40 TaG 125 (Lwr 50%) Qualifying 09:54 TaG 125 (Upp 50%) Qualifying 10:08 KA2 Qualifying 8 Min 10:22 KZ2 Qualifying 8 Min 10:36 KA3 Junior Heat 1 10 laps 10:51 KA3 Senior Heat 1 12 laps 11:08 Cadet 12 (AvD) Heat 1 10 laps 11:23 Cadet 12 (BvC) Heat 1 10 laps 11:38 KA4 Junior Heat 1 10 laps 11:53 TaG 125 (AvD) Heat 1 13 laps 12:11 TaG 125 (BvC) Heat 1 13 laps 12:29 KA2 Heat 1 12 laps 12:46 KZ2 Heat 1 9 laps 13:03 Break 13:22 KA3 Junior Heat 2 10 laps 13:37 KA3 Senior Heat 2 12 laps 13:54 Cadet 12 (AvC) Heat 2 10 laps 14:09 Cadet 12 (BvD) Heat 2 10 laps 14:24 KA4 Junior Heat 2 10 laps 14:39 TaG 125 (AvC) Heat 2 13 laps 14:57 TaG 125 (BvD) Heat 2 13 laps 15:15 KA2 Heat 2 12 laps 15:32 KZ2 Heat 2 9 laps 18:00 Gates Closed

18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min Break 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min 18 Min

SATURDAY 09:00

KA3 Junior

Heat 3

13 laps