S EP T EM BER 20 1 8
PUBLISHED BY KARTING AUSTRALIA
BETTER CLUBS
WHAT’S YOUR JOB?
The Building Better Kart Clubs
What do people in the pit paddock
Conference will cover off a variety of
do for a job. We strip the helmet
topics on how you can improve your
off some of our stars - you’ll be
kart club.
surprised!
F UL L T HROT T L E
Word from our Chairman As the year races on I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of the Executives of our Member Clubs, Officials and all of the other volunteers for their hard work throughout the year. It is the commitment of these people behind the scenes who provide the opportunities for everyone to go racing all around the Country. No matter what level it is at, no race meeting is possible without these Each month, we recognise
look forward to the announcing the
one of our volunteers as the Castrol
first ‘Ultimate Club Racers’ in early
EDGE Volunteer of the Month, this
November.
month it is the Sidnell Family from
Away from the circuit, Karting Australia
Mount Isa.
staff and committees have been busy
Earlier this month we crowned the
preparing for 2019. The cornerstone
Champions in the SP Tools Australian
of which will be the Building Better
Kart Championship and Rotax Pro Tour
Kart Clubs Conference to be held on
- congratulations to all of the winners
Saturday October 27.
and placegetters across the various
This will be the first of its type for
Championships.
the sport in Australia and features an
At the other end of our sport, the
incredibly high level of speakers that
SP Tools Club Driver Rankings is
I’m confident all of the attendees will
coming to a thrilling end over the
benefit significantly from.
next two months with the battle for
We’re also well underway on the 2019
the $50,000 in prizes set to go down
Australian Karting Manual with the
to the wire on the final weekend in
Rules Review Committee having met
October. The initiative has been well
in recently to produce the draft rules
supported by drivers all across the
for the year ahead.
Country with thousands of drivers
In closing, thanks once again to all of
lining up in the registered Club Events
our Volunteers who give up so much
so far. The Club Driver Rankings is a
to make our sport great and we look
unique opportunity for our drivers
forward to a big finish to 2018 before
to compete locally but be able to
heading full steam into another strong
rank themselves nationally.
year in 2019.
people.
We
Mick Doohan 2
2018 CONTINUES AT FULL THROTTLE Full Throttle is Karting Australia’s quarterly magazine that has been designed for you the karter and the karting industry. Each edition will feature some of the latest happenings from around the country while keeping you up to date with everything from Karting Australia.
Published By Karting Australia www.karting.net.au Editor/Journalist Matt Payne - Acclaim Media Email: fullthrottle@karting.net.au
Photography Cooper’s Photography www.coopersphotography.com.au Pace Images www.facebook.com/paceimages
Special thanks to all the competitors that take part in race meetings across Australia each weekend; thank-you to all our volunteer officials, the mums, the dads, the office bearers and canteen staff that make karting an awesome family sport.
F UL L T HROT T L E
PAGE OF CONTENTS BUILDING BETTER KART CLUBS
14
How to handle a critical incident at your club
TALKING TYRES
18
KA Licence Holders to have their say on tyres
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
20
Recognising one of KA’s great officials
CLUB DRIVER RANKINGS
22
Who’s leading the way?
BEHIND THE HELMET
26
What some of our racer do as jobs.
AKC CHAMPIONS CROWNED
34
Australia’s best claim the green plate
ROTAX PRO TOUR FINALE
48
Australia’s top Rotax drivers decided
Q&A WITH KAI ALLEN
50
A chat with KA2 Champion Kai Allen
GET STARTED IN KARTING TIPS
52
Front and Rear track explained
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MARK WILLIAMS
THEY’RE BACK!
NIGHT OF NIGHTS
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08
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AFL coaching legend, Mark Williams
European Superstars Paolo de Conto,
All the colour and glamour from the SP
will be the keynote speaker at the
Marijn Kremers and Hanssen return
Tools Australian Kart Championship
upcoming
for Race of Stars on the Gold Coast.
Gala event.
Building
Better
Clubs
Conference - which is free to Club Delegates.
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AFL LEGEND HEADLINES BETTER CLUBS CONFERENCE AFL Premiership Coach, Mark Williams will be the keynote speaker at Karting Australia’s Building Better Clubs Conference to be held at Taylors Lake Hotel & Conference Centre, Victoria on Saturday October 27. The conference will be an informative day for Clubs from
worked with grassroots clubs around Australia and many
right around Australia and will cover off a variety of topics
of the leading sports organisations in Australia including
on how you can improve your kart club.
Cricket Australia, Netball Victoria and a number of State
The day will begin with a session with Williams, who
Government bodies.
coached Port Adelaide to its maiden AFL flag in 2004. He
Following lunch, operational sessions take place on
will speak on inspiring your club to success - his speaking
creating a Great Events Calendar and having that as
platform that takes him across the country.
the bedrock of growth for your club before a session on
It will then move into plenary sessions that are designed
officiating and encouraging more volunteers to join your
to make your club run more efficiently and developing a
club.
successful club culture.
The afternoon will focus on a workshop on branding and
Steve Pallas - Founder and Managing Director of Sports
presenting your club as to how you would like it to be
Community will address running your club easier - he has
presented before a session of Club Days of the Future.
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STATE REGISTRATION
A WORD FROM THE CEO CLUB REGISTRATION
This event comes off the back of the implementation of Karting Australia’s Plus 1 Project.
INDUSTRY REG.
This is the critical next step in the project following on from the pivotal meetings with Club Presidents that have been held across the country over recent months. It fits perfectly within the scope of the Building Better Kart Clubs concept that was launched in 2017. The theme for our first conference is KARTING CLUBS - MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO RACE. We are pleased to present a full day of informative sessions and workshops with a wonderful line-up of guest speakers
from
within
and
from
outside the Australian karting world. Our vision is to inspire our Clubs and to encourage the key Committee personnel.
The day will end with a session to Rev It Up for Fun - a look ahead to 2019. Registration is FREE to the first three Club Delegates from around Australia and the first four State Delegates. Additional passes are available at a subsidised cost of $75 and the industry is welcome to attend at $75 per delegate. Registration includes parking, morning and afternoon tea, lunch and corporate accommodation rates are available. Travel assistance for intrastate delegates over 300km away from Melbourne and interstate delegates is available. All clubs are urged to take part in what will be a vital stepping stone to 2019!
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STARS TO ALIGN ON THE GOLD COAST The sixth annual Race of Stars is getting set to be the biggest yet, with top level drivers from all around the Globe set to converge on the Xtreme Karting Complex on the Gold Coast for the October 11-13 event. Leading the charge will be double World Champion Paolo De
I really can’t wait to re-unite with the CRG Australia team again.”
Conto - who has taken the KZ2 category at the last two events -
Hanssen in his attempt at racing for a surfboard was denied when
and twice Australian KZ2 Champion, Joey Hanssen.
he finished second behind Chris Hays in 2013, however he has a
CRG factory pilot De Conto has declared the Xtreme Karting
solid focus on getting his hands on one of those special trophies:
Complex at Pimpama as ‘unique’ in the karting world - with
“I spent two years living in Australia and thoroughly enjoyed it
drivers exceeding 160km/h as they tip into the turn one kink.
while also winning two Championships, but the one thing I didn’t
“The circuit is like nothing else we race on anywhere in the
manage to win was the Race of Stars. Hopefully that can change
world, it is amazingly fast and it is a great spectacle for all of the
this year,” said Hanssen.
spectators,” said De Conto.
“I’m returning to Australia this year with the sole purpose of
“The Race of Stars is a very unique event and has a fantastic
claiming the surfboard.”
atmosphere. The Gold Coast is an amazing part of the world and
Hanssen and De Conto will both be forced to fend off the
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challenges from Marijn Kremers, who after finishing second on
As well as the coveted Surfboard Trophy, the winner of DD2
two occasions at the event is determined to go one better in
receives a ticket to the Rotax Max Grand Final Challenge to be
2019 with his Patrizicorse outfit.
held in Brazil at the end of November, with thanks to Australian
Australian international, Joshua Fife, new KZ2 Champion Aaron
importer, IKD and BRP-Rotax.
Cameron and New Zealander Mat Kinsman - are all expected to
More than 250 competitors across all classes are anticipated to
be part of the elite KZ2 field.
be entering the event that has become a well known part of the
The event this year reverts to a Saturday finish to allow travel
busy October motorsport schedule in Australia and kicks off
time back home or for visiting racers time to spend on the Gold
proceedings leading into the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 to be held
Coast having travelled so far.
the weekend following.
Another new initiative is the addition of Rotax DD2 to the program.
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FIRST CLUB DAY IN 30 YEARS FOR WIMMERA The Wimmera Kart Club in Horsham, Victoria is set to host its first Club Day in three decades at the end of this month. Best of all is that the club and Karting Victoria have made it
Seven time Australian Champion Luciani is throwing his
open to karters from other clubs throughout Victoria and South
weight behind the event and local emerging drivers, offering
Australia.
his knowledge. The club has also offered the event to E-Grade
Entry fees have been capped at $25. President of the Club,
License holders.
Shane Soutar attended the recent Plus 1 Initiative Information
For more information on the event please visit
Day in Victoria and went back to his club inspired to make
www.wimmerakartclub.com.au
something special happen.
Entries are open through the Karting Australia CM:S
“We have some members in the club now who have jumped on board and done a stewards course. That was part of the reason we haven’t been able to run these in the past because we haven’t had our own stewards,” Soutar told the Mail Times. “The club has taken a bit of a new direction recently and people are interested and excited in where we are headed.” The Club - which is the home kart club of Remo Luciani - have been working overtime to get themselves ready for the event.
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F UL L T HROT T L E
CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT Karting Australia has a continual focus on consistently improving safety and the effective management of incidents at events - this includes clarification of how various situations should be handled.
Critical
incidents
in
sporting
In effect the document is a tool
situations are typically unpredictable
that event organisers, clubs and
events with the potential to cause
State Karting Associations can use
major injuries, loss of life, or other
to manage the situation and the
catastrophic
recording needed should a Critical
consequences
for
athletes, other sports personnel and/
Incident occur.
or their organisations.
To view Karting Australia’s Critical
The effective management of such
Incident Response Overview and
significant occurrences should form
Response Chart please Click on the
part of an organisation’s broader
links below:
risk management strategy as the
management of risk is an integral part of good management practice. Karting Australia has a Critical Incident
WORD DOCUMENT
Response Chart to assist karting event organisers, Clubs and State Karting
For more general information on
Associations cope with the pressures
Critical Incident Management please
and demands of handling a response
Click Here.
to a Critical Incident, and to facilitate the liaison and cooperation between the event organisers, Police, and any other external Emergency Services.
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SAFETY FIRST FOR KA CLUBS Karting Australia, its affiliated Associations and their member Clubs applies a Safety 1st principal to all karting and karting related activities.
Safety of its Licence Holders, Officials and Spectators is
6.
Accreditation and training of track inspectors
Karting Australia’s highest priority in relation to all karting
7.
Accreditation and training Officials who have
and karting related activities.
responsibility for the safe and orderly conduct of Race Meetings
The Karting Australia Safety 1st Policy is the core pillar for
8.
all safety, risk management, track operations, design and implementation at Karting venues across Australia.
Oversight of track inspection processes by the National Track Safety Committee (NTSC)
9.
Clearly defined process for accrediting new, renovated or modified tracks
This commitment extends to all officeholders, executives,
10. Track build guidelines that are clear and unambiguous
staff, contractors and volunteers are committed to
11. Officials training programs with safe operation
ensuring a Safety 1st approach to all karting operations including Competitor, Practice, Track operations and
methodologies 12. KA Manual that encompasses Safety 1st principles in
design.
event operational requirements 13. Targeted Risk Assessment (TRA) methodology for
To enable this commitment, a framework has been developed that includes:
Track and facility inspections and Track licensing 14. Providing guidance in the application of a
1.
The Safety 1st Policy
common risk management process through the
2.
A Licencing policy for all drivers that recognises the
implementation of KARM - KA’s Risk Management
requisite skill to operate and race karts of varying
program
performance
15. Event Permit requirements and documentation
3.
Upholding driver and public safety standards
including requirement for the completion of a
4.
Developing and maintaining standards of safety and
comprehensive pre-racing checklist as an integral
fairness through the National Competition Rules
component of KARM
5.
Enforcing technical standards, regulations and safety
16. Providing accident and liability insurance cover for all
controls for karts
participants in KA sanctioned karting activity
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON TYRES
Karting Australia has invited all Licence Holders to provide feedback on an important topic for the sport - tyres. Following further testing and evaluation on abrasive tracks,
been developed over the last two years. It is an SL Tyre (Sport
Karting Australia has reached a final position that can now be put
and Leisure) that they have developed specifically to provide
to Licence Holders to ascertain their considered positions and
improved durability over the current YLJ model tyre. The testing
preferences for tyres to be used for 2019 and 2020.
has shown that the YNL is more durable than the YJL and the YLR
The results of the Poll will be presented to the KA Board in the
tyres and with slightly lower grip levels than the YJL tyre that is
form of the draft 2019 Rules.
currently used in Cadet competition.
The Option Tyre for each Class that is under consideration for
The changes that the Board are considering respect the current
use in Club Competition, along with the hardness measurement
contractual relationships with Karting Australia tyre suppliers.
number, grip and wear rate characteristics of each tyre.
Any changes to the 2019 Rules and Regulations that are made in
We are seeking your opinion (or if you are a minor, your parent
relation to tyres will stay in place until the end of 2020.
or legal guardian’s opinion) of your preferences on this matter.
If you haven’t completed the survey yet, please click here by
Through the current evaluation process, Karting Australia has
September 23 to have your say.
been supplied with a new Bridgestone tyre (the YNL) that has
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F UL L T HROT T L E
WEEKEND HEROES: THE SIDNELL FAMILY The small Queensland town of Mount Isa may be one located in one of the most isolated regions in the Country, but that doesn’t stop the Sidnell family and their love of karting. The commitment of some Karting Australia officials to
in Queensland.
advance themselves and their skill levels in the sport never
Paul is regularly the Chief Steward at local, regional events
cease to amaze and this month’s Castrol EDGE Volunteer(s)
and often gets to State-level events.
of the Month are the embodiment of what the sport is all
His daughters - who are regular racers at Mount Isa and
about.
in the Coalfields - are now getting involved with Tara
Paul Sidnell and his daughters Allissa and Tara are based in
performing the role of Junior Clerk of Course at Emerald.
Mount Isa, however willingly drove the 1200km each way
It is wonderful to see the commitment of our volunteers
journey to officiate at the Emerald SP Tools Australian Kart
who freely give up their time and travel distances such as
Championship event.
those travelled by the Sidnells to make the wheels of the
Their home track - the 400m Lagoon Park in Mount Isa
sport turn.
possesses one of the smallest but most enthusiastic clubs
It is volunteers like the Sidnells that keep the sport going – congratulations on being nominated as our Castrol EDGE Volunteer of the Month - they will receive a Castrol EDGE Merchandise pack and 20 to be used as giveaways at your Club. To nominate someone in your club as our Castrol EDGE Volunteer of the Month, CLICK THIS LINK. 20
F UL L T HROT T L E
VICTORIANS AND TERRITORIANS ON TOP IN CLUB DRIVER RANKINGS Dr i ve rs f rom Vic toria and the No rth ern Territo ry are d o m in atin g th e to p s p ot s i n the new for 2018 SP To o ls Clu b Driver Ran kin gs . With over $5 0 , 0 0 0 i n prize s up for grabs fro m in d u s try p artn ers an d th e Series c los i n g on Oc to be r 31 - time is ru n n in g o u t to b o o s t yo u r p o ints ! With a maximum of two events remaining in the 2018 SP
Class, is currently 3.5 points clear of Darwin youngster
Tools Club Driver Rankings, Victorian Steven Tsesmelis is
Bodhi Stevens in the overall standings.
the overall points leader in the standings.
Stevens, a Cadet 12 competitor, holds a slender buffer over
The Oakleigh Go-Kart Racing Club Member has been one
fellow Territorians Mitchell Kroonstuiver and Aaron Purton.
of the front runners all throughout the year and with six
Stevens and Kroontuiver are the leading pair in the Cadet
perfect scores sits a top of the overall standings.
Group standings with Victorian Francisco Morales in third
With a drivers’ best six results counting towards the final
place.
result, Tsesmelis, who competes in the KA4 Junior Light
In the Junior Group, Tsesmelis is a clear leader ahead of
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fellow Victorian Cooper Johnstone. Darwin’s Shelby Eyles
Carless, Lachlan Nichols from Ipswich and Combined
is third in the standings with Ipswich’s Thomas Cooper
District’s Kart Club’s Joshua Buchan to make it drivers from
fourth.
four different States in the top five.
Having competed in all of his available events, Darwin
The battle for the top spot in the TaG 125 Restricted class
TaG Restricted Light competitor Aaron Purton is 2.5 points
is set to go down to the wire with Darwin’s Aaron Purton
clear of Victorian Alexander Grutteria in the Senior Group.
sitting a mere 2.5 points clear of Victorian Alexander
Go-Kart Club of Victoria’s Alexander Casabene is a further
Grutteria.
2.25 points adrift in third place with Albury/Wodonga
Alexander Casabene and Albury Wodonga’s David Brett
driver David Brett 8.25 points further back.
still having two events where they can improve on their
In the 4-Stroke group, that has seen almost 100 competitors
best six results, the race for the top spot is far from over.
line up across the various events around the country,
Ipswich’s Gary Payne is the leading Masters competitor
Mitchell Branson leads the way over Ipswich’s Scott Pearce.
while Connor Wroth is on top in Open Performance.
In the individual Class rankings, Kroonstuiver leads the
To check where you are in your Group, Class or Club in the
way in Cadet 9 - as does Stevens in Cadet 12.
SP Tools Club Driver rankings, head to
In conjunction with his overall lead, Tsemelis is on top
www.clubdriverrankings.com.au
in the KA4 Junior standings while Cooper is 8.75 points
You can also search by your Surname. Some results cannot
ahead of fellow Ipswich Kart Club Member Oscar Comley in
be shown due to the incorrect Event Title or Race Title
the KA3 Junior rankings. The trend of top performers from
attributed at the point of starting the race meeting. If you
the Ipswich Kart Club continue in the Junior Performance
feel as though you are missing points, please contact your
class with Lachlan Murphy leading the way.
Club Secretary or Timing Officer. In the meantime, well
Esperance drivers Todd Shearer and John Aurisch lead the
done to the Clubs that have been part of the CDR and the
way in the KA3 Senior class followed by Oakleigh’s Michael
drivers that are in the running for the prizes!
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With Grutteria, Go-Kart Club of Victoria’s
F UL L T HROT T L E
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BEHIND THE HELMET Th e s p o rt of kartin g s ees a wid e variety of p eo p le fro m all s o rts of o ccu p atio n s to co m p ete in th e kart track. In th is ed itio n of Fu ll Th rottl e, we s p eak with a few racers to fin d out wh at th ey d o away fro m th e circu it.
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BEN REDJEPI - CANCER EXTERMINATOR South Aussie KZ2 driver, Benjamin Redjepi is currently
further four years of study.
studying to be one of Australia’s future medical leaders in
“You need degrees in both engineering and medicine to
the treatment of cancer. He is at the University of Adelaide
build and use this type of technology,” Redjepi explained.
looking to specialise in machines that can provide better
“By having the understanding of both facets I can test
suited technology to detect cancer and then eradicate
them myself without relying on student doctors - so I will
cancer cells using a radio frequency blasting system.
know what needs to be done before implementing the
Redjepi doesn’t just want to use one of these systems
machines.
on patients - he is studying to have the qualifications to
“They are better suited cancer detection and radio
design, build and use radio frequency blasting systems,
frequency blasting systems - so they will pick up the
whilst also taking a keen interest in neurosurgery as his
cancer cells early and blast the cells which will lead them
medical specialisation. Ironically, he is recovering from a
to either implode or explode.”
crash at Todd Road where he was knocked unconscious -
When he isn’t studying a way to stem the world’s cancer
right on the eve of his latest round of exams.
problems, Redjepi uses his “spare time” to research this
It is a long path that the 20-year-old has to take which he
technology and also tutors students in Maths, Chemistry
is three years down the track of.
and Physics, while racing in the KZ2 Australian Kart
He is in his in his third year of an Electrical and Electronics
Championship.
Engineering degree with a Major in Bio Medical Science,
Sometimes you just never know what’s underneath the
which will take five years to complete. Once that is
helmet next to you!
complete, he can go into a Medicine degree, which is a
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JASON FAINT - RESTAURANTEUR Queensland KZ2 Championship front
ticking over
runner Jason Faint has one of the
solidly - an
more interesting jobs in the sport as a
opportunity
restauranteur.
presented itself to
Jason is the proprietor of Rocksalt
extend the brand
Gladstone and Tannum Sands.
to Tannum Sands
The Gladstone Restaurant was
- only half an
established in 2009 by Jason and
hour’s drive from
family and quickly became the
Gladstone. This
fine dining eating and drinking
led to the sale
establishment of choice for
of The Riff and
Gladstonians.
the new location
Possessing a penchant for the finer
in view of the
things, Jason combined his two
beach became the
passions - racing and food - to travel
hottest place to
the world and improve the offering
visit in the sleepy
of Rocksalt. This included Jason
town of Tannum
competing in the European and World
Sands, which is
KZ2 Championships for a number of
quickly building
years.
a reputation
The result was an expansion of the
of becoming a
bar area to have an extensive cocktail
foodies haven in Central Queensland.
list and become one of Gladstone’s
It isn’t a self perpetuating philosophy
‘places to be’.
that the restaurants produce some
Taking a step back from racing in
good tucker - Rocksalt has been
2015, Jason turned his attention to
awarded Westpac Restaurant of the
adding The Riff in Fortitude Valley in
Year, overall Westpac Business of the
Brisbane to his workload in 2016.
Year and AIM Central Queensland
Building The Riff from outfit up, it was
Restaurant of the Year, proving
no easy feat spending time between
that the hard work that goes into
both establishments (only a cool
travelling the world, racing karts and
520km each way…), The Riff being
sampling fine food and cocktails does
in one of Australia’s fastest growing
pay off!
and most competitive food scenes
“I love my food and racing and
and the task of ensuring Rocksalt
fortunately having a good business
maintained quality that Gladstone
surrounded by a supportive family
had come to expect.
and great long term staff allowed
Having the Brisbane establishment
me to combine the both,” explained
Jason. “Everywhere you go you can
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find inspiration to improve what you do, so travelling Australia, Europe and Vegas I was able to have some great food and cocktail experiences and find a happy fusion that I could apply to my restaurants.” Jason’s on a perpetual hunt though… “While I’m always up for a high quality meal somewhere, I am always on the lookout for the perfect Buffalo Wings. Combine that with a great craft beer, good mates, good times and you can’t go wrong!” If ever travelling through Tannum Sands or Gladstone, keep Rocksalt in mind - Table 22’s always available for karters!
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BARBARA ANAGNOSTIADIS COMMERCIAL CONCRETE PUMPING Victorian racer Barbara Anagnostiadis and her husband Adam have a unique job with their concrete pumping business - B&A Concrete Pumping. As illustrated with the image, B&A has a range of concrete pumps for large scale residential and commercial concrete pumping projects. They’ve been in business for 13 years and recently added B&A Diesel - a truck repair business - to their offerings. In addition to that Barb races regularly, along with her daughter Aiva and son James at both the SP Tools Australian Kart Championships and Rotax Pro Tour Barbara recently scoring a podium at the final round of the AKC in Melbourne. Racing and the business has been a love affair for both Barbara and Adam who met when she was 16. “I’d been racing since I was 11 and Adam became my mechanic when we met - he was studying a mechanics apprenticeship,” she explains. “I stopped around the age of 21, we got married, had kids and then started the business. Since then it has grown to be a large scale commercial concrete pumping business with the diesel and truck repairs division coming online only about 12 months ago. “It allows us to go racing now my kids are racing too (Aiva - 11, James - 8) nationally, we have a lot going on and it requires plenty of good people and time to ensure it all runs smoothly!”
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CHAMPIONS CROWNED Th e 2 0 1 8 S P Tools Australian Kart Ch amp io n s h ip , pre s e nte d by C astrol EDG E c ame to a th rillin g con cl u s i on at Port Me lbourne’s To d d Ro ad circu it, c row n i n g a numbe r of new C hamp io n s an d h e ra l d i n g s o me new he roe s in th e s p o rt.
In his third season in the category, Aaron Cameron took out the KZ2 Australian Championship, which was not only his first KZ2 Championship, but the first for JC Kart. The battle throughout the weekend for Cameron was fierce. Although penalised for a fuel infringement between the final two rounds - as was Joshua Fife who provisionally assumed the Championship lead after Emerald - Cameron was able to show consistency throughout the weekend. Fife however - who was bookending the Australian Championship finale with the pre-cursor to the World Championship in Belgium with the World Championship event - won the weekend with a tremendous drive in the Final, to quickly overcome Cameron and lead the way. Second was Kiwi Dylan Drysdale who ended his season by being handed the win from Emerald (becoming the first Kiwi to win a round of the Australian Kart Championship) and the second placing, while Chris Hays was in vintage form in his BirelART kart coming home in third place. AWC Motorsport Academy’s Lochie Dalton put forth a Champions performance to become the first Tasmanian to win a multi-round Australian Title. He took his win tally for the year to a well deserved three wins. Scott Sorensen (another to be caught in the fuel controversy) was second after a weekend in the HDR Arrow that saw him battle with the racetrack and setup all weekend long, while Broc Feeney secured second in the Championship with his third placed finish - after Joshua Denton endured a late race off-track excursion while leading the Final. The Matt McLean/James Sera show continued in KA3 Senior with the former coming into the weekend the hunter.
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A rare mistake in wet conditions from Sera on Saturday
Rhys Smith held a commanding lead coming into the
opened the door for McLean who made every post a winner
Championship Grand Final and with three wins to his credit
from there forward. The duo were kept honest by Benito
throughout the season was expected to wrap it up easily.
Montalbano and Oscar Priest Championship wise while
Not so fast.
Jack Bell managed to sneak between the two combatants
Allen started chipping away st the 57 point lead held by
to earn himself a second place in the final race of the year.
Smith and it was within possibility come the final that Allen
Kai Allen had managed to be the most consistent driver
could win two Titles in one day.
throughout the course of the KA2 Junior year. He led the
Scuderia PCR driver, Smith dug deep to take a strong victory
Championship for much of the season despite not cresting
- getting all but one first place trophy from throughout
the top step of the podium.
the year. Allen was valiant in second with Fletcher Harris
He was under pressure from a vastly improved Jaiden Pope
- another Championship front runner coming home third.
and previous round winner, Jay Hanson.
Arguably the most dramatic final came in TaG 125. Runaway
A good Saturday for Allen - which included a heat race win
Championship leader Brendan Nelson got himself into
- meant he went into Sunday only needing a handful of
trouble with a power valve issue.
points in Sunday’s heat race to be Champion-Elect.
He was dropping through the field as his closest rival, Cody
He did that and it could not have been more timely. Allen
Brewczynski was leading. The Sydney-sider had to win with
went no further than the first hundred metres of the Final
the Queenslander finishing 14th or better to be crowned
after a multi-kart pileup when Blake Purdie got turned
Champion. Nelson continued on-track hoping the single
around and skated through the field at turn one. Hanson
point he would score could be crucial - and it was.
was one of those also.
Brewczynski was issued with a drop down bumper
Up the front it was opened right up for James Wharton
infringement post race handing the Championship to
to take the lead and he would go on to take a dominant
Nelson and the race to Jason Pringle.
win, becoming the only driver to have won two rounds this
X30 was one of the first Titles to fall on Saturday with Cody
season.
Gillis adding the Title to his DD2 World Championship
Sydney-sider Beau Pronesti put forth the drive of his career
from last year.
to secure his first AKC podium in front of Jaiden Pope.
Harrison Hoey came out swinging from the get go trying to
Allen’s luck wasn’t so strong in KA4 Junior.
leave no stone unturned in his quest to win the Title.
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While Gillis got the Championship
wide into turn one at one stage!
in the bag early, Hoey showed rare
Arnett got to the lead, but on the
determination in his chase.
last lap, Flack caught right up, Arnett
He took a fabulous victory in the
knowing that even if he finished
final beating home Jake Spencer and
second, he would secure the Title
Daniel Rochford, both of whom had
opened the door allowing Flack
been exceptional throughout the
through for the win.
course of the weekend.
Cadet 9 saw the dominant Lewis
Cadet 12 was always expected to
Francis wrap the trophy up Saturday
produce high drama with eight drivers
when Peter Bouzinelos had a DNF in
in line for the Title, two places at
heat two.
the Rok International Cup and an
The non-finish made Bouzinelos more
oversubscribed grid!
determined.
Eight points separated the top three
He would go on to win Sunday’s Final
come the Final and points leader,
over Lewis Francis with Jaxson Burns
Harry Arnett was hung out to dry at
coming through for third placing.
turn one.
Overall, it has been a stunning SP
This dropped him as far as ninth in the
Tools Australian Kart Championship,
field.
presented by Castrol EDGE, with all
With
Flack
the drama that one can expect from
leading and Jimmy Pisczyk among the
closest
rival
Marcos
a Grand Final Day coming to the fore
top group - what Arnett produced was
once again.
nothing short of remarkable. He was the quickest driver on track and charged through the field. Tensions
were
high
with
the
Championship top three going three-
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CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
KZ2 1. Aaron CAMERON 2. Joshua FIFE 3. Christopher HAYS 4. Troy LOESKOW 5. Dylan DRYSDALE 6. Jason FAINT 7. Mitchell MACKAY 8. Troy WOOLSTON 9. Pierce LEHANE 10. Matthew SMITH
218 207 187 183 173 129 98 95 79 77
KA1 1. Lachlan DALTON 2. Broc FEENEY 3. Joshua DENTON 4. Scott SORENSEN 5. Taylah AGIUS 6. Tyler HOWARD 7. Mathew STENNER 8. Rianna O’MEARA-HUNT 9. Luke FLYNN 10. Thomas TURNER
X30 1. Cody GILLIS 2. Harrison HOEY 3. Cameron LONGMORE 4. Pierce LEHANE 5. Bradley JENNER 6. Leigh NICOLAOU 7. Justin FRANCIS 8. Cian FOTHERGILL 9. James SERA 10. Adam LINDSTROM
251 205 145 141 119 116 100 93 89 85
TAG 125 1. Brendan NELSON 2. Cody BREWCZYNSKI 3. Kody GARLAND 4. Jordan NICOLAOU 5. Toby WEBB 6. Blake WORBOYS 7. Alastair LEE 8. Elly MORROW 9. Zachary HEARD 10. Hayden COX
KA4 JUNIOR 1. Rhys SMITH 2. Kai ALLEN 3. Hugh BARTER 4. Fletcher HARRIS 5. Nicholas SACCO 6. James WHARTON 7. Bailey COLLINS 8. Kurtis TENNANT 9. Ryan NEWTON 10. Kobi WILLIAMS
271 246 212 205 173 126 111 102 67 67
CADET 12 1. Harry ARNETT 2. Marcos FLACK 3. Jimmy PISZCYK 4. Alex NINOVIC 5. Joe FAWCETT 6. Carter MOBBS 7. Max DEGUARA 8. Jesse LACEY 9. Damon WOODS 10. Cadel AMBROSE
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276 242 236 217 147 138 114 62 58 58
KA2 1. Kai ALLEN 2. Jaiden POPE 3. James WHARTON 4. Jay HANSON 5. Jai BROWN 6. Taylor HAZARD 7. Callum BISHOP 8. Matthew HILLYER 9. Valentino ASTUTI 10. Beau PRONESTI
223 194 192 167 154 129 121 97 87 83
247 245 189 167 111 103 99 68 68 64
KA3 SENIOR 1. Matthew MCLEAN 2. James SERA 3. Benito MONTALBANO 4. Oscar PRIEST 5. J. SOUSLIN-HARLOW 6. Jack BELL 7. Tommy HARRADINE 8. Kody GARLAND 9. Dean O’BRIEN 10. Matthew WATERS
252 226 214 186 123 121 118 103 89 69
238 234 228 161 161 156 149 142 135 125
CADET 9 1. Lewis FRANCIS 2. Peter BOUZINELOS 3. Rock HAN 4. Max WALTON 5. Jaxson BURNS 6. Jenson BURNS 7. Rusty PONTING 8. Jake RUTKOWSKI 9. Cooper STAPLETON 10. Lewis CORDATO
258 214 176 156 142 125 93 93 87 76
F UL L T HROT T L E
KARTING’S NIGHT OF NIGHTS Hosted by Australian Motorsport journalist and commentator, Greg Rust, the gala affair went to a new level at the Medallion Room high above Etihad Stadium. Australian Karting’s elite, their partners, parents and crews
President Michael Rolfe accepted the Event of the Year
threw away their racegear and jumped into their cocktail
Trophy on behalf of the Emerald Kart Club.
best for the night.
The biggest driver gong went the way of CRG Sydney-sider,
Special guests included Australian Grand Prix Corporation
Pierce Lehane - who was awarded the MG Tyres Driver’s
CEO, Andrew Westacott; Managing Director of SP Tools -
Driver vote. The DPE Kart Technology-imported Kosmic
Kevin Davis and Marketing and Partnerships Manager, April
Kart was victorious the Manufacturers Championship with
Vaughan; Garth and Leeanne Tander (Leeanne a former
the Tom Williamson Motorsport outfit claiming the Teams
winner of a Championship round); Garth’s Garry Rogers
Championship. Shamick Racing won the Best Presented
Motorsport team-mate James Golding, Matt Stone Racing’s
Team Award.
Todd Hazelwood and a number of dignitaries.
A special moment occurred when Taylah Agius was awarded
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2018 AKC AWARDS Manufacturer’s Champion - Kosmic Team’s Champion - Tom Williamson Motorsport MG Tyres Driver’s Driver - Pierce Lehane Ladies Champion - Taylah Agius the first ever Ladies Trophy. Bruce Stewart - Commercial
Event of the Year - Emerald Kart Club
Manager of Walkinshaw Andretti United and guest of
Best Presented Team - Shamick Racing
SP Tools offered Taylah an experience at the upcoming
Dunlop Determination Award (Jnr) - Kai Allen
Vodafone Gold Coast 600, where she will be part of the
Dunlop Determination Award (Snr) - Matt McLean
team for the weekend.
Bridgestone Supercup - Kai Allen
Kai Allen cleaned up all the Junior awards after starring
Mechanic of the year - William Yarwood
in two classes this year - being adjudged the Bridgestone Supercup winner for his efforts in KA4 Junior and the Dunlop Determination Award for what he did in KA2. Championship winning KZ2 mechanic William Yarwood took a very well deserved SP Tools Mechanic of the Year. All in all, each driver positioned the sport in a very good light with some very well known Australian motorsport identities in the room. Roll on a bigger and better 2019!
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GRAND FINALE FOR PRO TOUR The 2018 Rotax Pro Tour came to a sensational finish at the The Bend Motorsport Park’s brand new multi-million dollar facility in South Australia earlier this month.
In conjunction with the final round of the 2018 Rotax Pro Tour, the Australian team of drivers set to take on the World at the Rotax Max Grand Final Challenge in Brazil at the end of November was announced. The Australian team will consist of Jake Rutkowski, Costa Toparis, Jaiden Pope, William Seal, Joshua Hart, Ben Jurczak Ryan Kennedy, Damian Ward, Trevor Whitby, Terry Hanly, and Ashley Seaward. It was also announced that Ryan Kennedy – who is heading to his fourth Rotax Max Grand Final Challenge – will be the Team Captain. At the event, Michael McCullouch became a first time victor in Rotax Light. The Kiwi put together the perfect weekend setting the pole position time and winning each race, including an emotion charged final when he passed fellow Kiwi, Joshua Hart on the last corner of the last lap around the outside. Hart finished second thus securing the Series victory with Leigh Nicolaou completing the podium. Jaiden Pope confirmed the Series win in Junior Max with a competition crushing performance. The Tom Williamson Motorsport driver put in arguably the drive of his young career to take the win by 4.7 seconds. Cody Brewczynski had a successful debut in the DD2 ranks,
taking a solid win and the Jason Richards Cup. He beat home Exprit driver, Josh Bethune and Ryan Kennedy who was charging hard in the back end of the race. Kris Walton took the win in a tense DD2 Masters Final over Scott Howard and Jason Pringle. The win cemented second in the Series for Walton behind Troy Woolston with Howard being awarded third in the Series overall. Sebastian Manson took his first Rotax Pro Tour victory in Mini Max. The Kiwi was pushed all the way by a hard charging Series Champion, Costa Toparis. Toparis had been shuffled back in the order and pushed hard to get himself into second, however Manson had enough of a margin that he took the win comfortably. Aiva Anagnostiadis enjoyed her first podium in third place. Jaxson Burns had the honour of being the first trophy winner on The Bend Karting Stadium when he took victory in Micro Max. In Rotax Heavy, Paul Rodgers took a solid win in his FA Kart. He was pushed all the way by Series champion, Lane Moore. Thus brings to a close to the 2018 season of Rotax Pro Tour competition, with just the Race of Stars remaining to finalise the Australian team for the Brazilian event in November.
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Q&A WITH KAI ALLEN So u t h Au s t ralian Kai Alle n has b een th e s tar of th e ju n i o r ra n k s in 2018 w ith a con s is tent ap p ro ach to h i s ra ci n g t h at saw him dominate th e A KC Award s for t h e ye a r. Full Throttle c aught u p with h im re ce nt l y to f ind out more about th e p o cket ro cket.
To win KA2 in your first junior season is an incredible
members - what does that mean?
effort - what were your hopes heading into the season?
This means a lot. It was a great surprise to win the two extra
I was aiming to get in the top three this season, we finally
awards and I can’t thank Bridgestone and Paul Feeney and
got the chassis setup right in Round 4 at Emerald and could
Dunlop and Les May enough for thinking me worthy of
push on from there.
those awards.
What was your approach heading into the Grand Final
What is the plan from here? You have a couple more years
weekend at Todd Road, particularly knowing you hadn’t
left in Juniors - will you look at continuing in KA2 next
won a round of KA2 all season and there was still plenty
year and beyond to add more KA2 Championships?
to play for?
I really want to race with the best drivers in the AKC next
My strategy was basically to just continue to hit my spots
year.
on the track and be consistent and not worry about the Is an overseas program an option at this stage?
Championships.
Yes, maybe next year or the year after. To run the KA4 Championship right to the final race of the year must have been a bit of a surprise as Rhys had it
Ultimately, where would you like to see your motorsport
seemingly in control going into the weekend?
career go?
Round Two in Albury hurt our points because we had an
I would really want to race at the highest level.
issue with the chassis. It took to the final at Todd Road to What first got you into motorsport? Mount Gambier is
try to catch-up points on Rhys.
typically known as the hotbed for Speedway talent. You backed up the Championship win and second with both
From when I was born I had A9X Torana in my bedroom and
the Bridgestone Super Cup and Dunlop Determination
a clay tray at my house. I have been driving karts and cars
Award - to win something like that, which recognises
since I was 5.
your performance from officials and the Karting industry
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You aren’t the only overachiever in your family - your mother was a representative Netballer and your sisters (Nyah and Sienna) are in the Australian Netball program... Yes we are a very sporty family we are also competitive when we play sports on weekends. Outside racing, what do you get up to - do you play any other sports or have any other hobbies? I train during the week at a local football club, I also like to race dirt karts, I love water-skiing, Also I spend a lot of time on my simulator after school with some gokarting mates.
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TIPS ON HOW TO GO KARTING Karting Australia has produced a catalogue of videos hosted by seven-time Australian Karting Champion Troy Hunt brings that makes your entry to the sport easier.
FRONT TRACK WIDTH In this Get Started in Karting tip, we’re going to talk about your front track. Front track is adjustable in a Kart. You can move the front wheels out or in. Widening your front track will increase your turning into the corner. Narrowing the front track will decrease your turn in. So it’ll make it less sensitive. Therefore, in the rain, or if you want a little bit more turn in, you move the front wheels wider. If you find your kart’s turning too quick, creating a little bit of over-steer, then that’s when we’re going to narrow the front wheels up. We do that by adjusting these spacers on the front. Make sure that when making any adjustments to the front, what you do to one side, you must do to the other. So if you widen one side, make sure you do the same to the other side. The other key point, when removing spacers from the inside, or adding them, make sure they go onto the other side of the stub axle. With the front end for all classes, a really good starting point is between 10 and 20mm. Minimum obviously being 10, if you need a little bit more steer, you can then move it out to around 20mm per side. You can find more tips with Troy Hunt at www.karting.net.au
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REAR TRACK WIDTH
In this Get Started In Karting tip, we’re going to talk about your rear track, how to adjust it, and what it does. Moving your rear track wider will release grip from the go-kart making it a little bit slipperier off the corner. Narrowing the rear track will give it a little bit more rear grip. So, coming in a little bit more will stop that slide off the corner. When adjusting your rear width, to do this, you slide the hub in and out on the axle. With a 40 and 50 millimetre axle, often you can get spacers that fit inside the hub to help you adjust it in accurate increments. With a 30mm axle, or if you don’t have those spaces, simply just use a tape measure to get the right measurement. With the rear track, the same as when adjusting the front track, whatever you do to one side of the kart, you must make sure you also do the same for the other so that you’re adjusting both sides equally. A suggested rear track width for all Cadet classes is between 1090 and 1120mm. In KA4 we run between 1350 and 1380 mm. KA3 1380 to 1400 mm and any one through five category, again 1380 to 1400 mm, and 1400 is the maximum width that you’re allowed to run your rear track under Karting Australia regulations. I hope these tips are helping you get more out of your kart. Head to www. karting.net.au to watch more tips!
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