As the second half of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour season approaches, one of the significant events on the calendar falls upon round five of the series at Geelong, being the 2013 Jason Richards Memorial to honour former V8 Supercar driver and New Zealand born Jason Richards.

The concept was introduced in 2012, with the inaugural event taking place at Albury, where special events were held to remember the life of Richards, who tragically passed away in December 2011 after a public battle with cancer.

Round 5 of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour will take place at Beckley Park International Raceway, Geelong, Victoria from May 24-26.

As part of the Jason Richards Memorial, two awards are given to drivers for two different criteria, the first being the Jason Richards Memorial awarded to a driver from any category who, ‘displays exceptional sportsmanship, win, lose or draw. Someone who has the hard charging attitude and always drives it like it is stolen. Someone who has the ability to win never gives up and is fiercely determined. Someone who most importantly, is always smiling…to quote JR himself “it’s not about the man in the fight…it’s about the FIGHT in the man”’.

Last year it was awarded to Victorian Troy Woolston, a driver of whom many of today’s young stars look up to and admire, not only for his success on track, but for his admired passion off track to succeed in every facet of his racing.

The second award is the Jason Richards Cup, awarded to the round winner in DD2, a category Jason himself raced in throughout the 2010 Rotax Pro Tour as an opportunity to maintain his fitness performance levels, and to keep his eye in in between V8 Supercar events. Queensland’s Kyle Ensbey took home victory in Albury last year; however there will be a new winner with Ensbey not taking part this season.

Fellow former V8 Supercar driver Shane Price, who drove under the guidance of Richards and also replaced him at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in 2011 when Jason’s sickness was at its height returns to the Kart seat this weekend, and for Price, competing in this event will hold extra emotions due to his close relationship with Jason throughout his racing.

In excess of 130 entries have been received again for Pro Tour Geelong, as some of the regular front runners will be absent, it will open up the opportunity to see some new winners as the charge is on toward the 2013 Rotax National Championships in Puckapunyal in September.

The 2013 Jason Richards Memorial will be opened by an official gala dinner to be held at the Mercure Geelong, with competitors attending to honour the life of Jason, aswell as comedian Rob Brown performing a stand-up regime throughout the night, starting from 6:30pm.

To follow the event throughout the weekend, like Rotax Pro Tour on Facebook, follow Rotax Pro Tour on Twitter and tune into the audio commentary via Ustream at www.ustream.tv/user/internationalkarting.

KBC VR-1X full face helmet. This helmet was imported by Monza Imports (in Aust) and sold by retailers online and in motorcycle accessory shops nationwide between 1 September 2012 and 7 May 2013. The model number of the helmet (VR-1X) is printed on the Vehicle Helmet User Warning Label stitched to the inside lining of the helmet. Full details of the recall are available at http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1047524.

More information is available from the ACCC website HERE.

The event is expected to attract than 180 drivers from more than 20 different countries, all of whom will use identical IAME equipment.

The protagonists of this important event, that right from its first edition has reached an important place in the ranking of international races, will be the drivers coming from all over the world and in particular the champions of all IAME national series.

On the grid the categories: X30 Junior, X30 Senior, X30 Master and X30 Shifter.

Important prizes will be placed for each category, offered by both IAME and the sponsors: Freem, KOMET Racing Tyres, Stilo and Wladoil.

All information on events and links to all National X30 championships can be found on the portal dedicated to the X30 concept:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:  http://www.x30world.com

IAME World Final which is in October, as entries are open and we have had a few people interested asking questions about it. here is the link. here is the world final info: http://www.remoracing.com.au/leopard-final

With a huge number of random prize draws on offer, the event will provide all IAME competitors with a great weekend, and with the TaG Super Series round being contested on Saturday, a full weekend of racing can be had by all.

ALL IAME X30 competitors who enter by CMS today will automatically become eligible to enter the IAME WORLD FINALS in October.

For more information please click o the image below or visit http://www.remoracing.com.au/leopard-challenge

Bryce Fullwood

Victories have been shared across the season so far, while Darwin driver Bryce Fullwood has been part of the highlight packages for most of the year, many other young guns have been close behind, one of which is Jack Black who will remain in the Trophy class will also step up join Fullwood in the top level junior category in the Pro Tour giving him double duties in Geelong.

Both Bryce and Jack had their first taste of Rotax racing in the Trophy Class, and for the pair it has been a strong learning experience.

“Driving in the Trophy Class has improved my driving by making me a lot smoother, I have always been a fairly smooth driver anyway but this has definitely helped my Junior National Light driving,” Fullwood said.

“Competing in the trophy class has helped my driving a lot, by racing on tracks that I never have before and tracks that have a lot of grip come finals day,” Black added.

With its original goal to provide a step for young drivers into the World formula of Rotax racing, for both Fullwood and Black, it was been something that has helped their driving immensely and for their career into the future.

Jack Black

“My goal for racing Trophy Class was to learn about the engine, tuning and the hard driving style, I am by no means an expert now, but feel I am ready to mix it with the top drivers and continue my education,” Fullwood stated.

“I am really looking forward to the rest of the season, my aim is to improve every at every round and keep on moving forward and hopefully by the end of this season of the Pro Tour I will be in the top 10, my goals for next year will be to continue racing in Junior Max, learning at each and every event and looking towards those crucial podium finishes,” Black added.

With Bryce and Jack stepping up, it has also brought about the introduction of two new competitors to the Sodi Junior Max Trophy Class, South Australia’s Jordan Tasker, Glen Ormerod from NSW and Charlotte Poynting from Victoria all now looking to gaining experience in the closing rounds of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour, and into the next rankings season where the Trophy Class will remain to act as the crucial first step in Rotax racing for juniors in Australia.

Round 5 of the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour will take place at Beckley Park International Raceway, Geelong, Victoria from May 24-26.

To follow the event throughout the weekend, like Rotax Pro Tour on Facebook, follow Rotax Pro Tour on Twitter and tune into the audio commentary via Ustream at www.ustream.tv/user/internationalkarting.

All images by kartpix.net

The British Championship with the ABkC National TKM Championships started later than usual this year, but any expectation of good weather was dashed on Saturday when all track activities had to stop for two hours due to the heavy rain. Sunday was better, once the early drizzle had cleared up and everyone got onto slicks for the finals.

KZ1 MSA British Kart Championship
The premier class for the British title has moved to the gearbox, or shifter 125cc class as the original KF2 failed to attract enough entries. Henry Easthope, the CIK-FIA U18 World Champion, stunned the 125cc regulars by dominating the new class, with fastest time in qualifying, over KZ2 champion Matt Dittman and Daniel Borton. Easthope had only sat in the kart for the first time two weeks earlier. He and Borton shared the heat wins on the very wet Saturday. Easthope had slid off the track in a heat and only started fourth for the first final. He reeled in the hefty gap to poleman Daniel Borton to relieve him of the lead mid-race. Super One Max 177 champion Lucas Orrock has changed disciplines and came fourth behind Dittman. In the second final Easthope enjoyed a lights to flag victory, with Borton a distant second whilst James Mudd stormed up to third after suffering a five place penalty in the first final which had dropped him from fourth to ninth.

Results Final 1
1 Henry Easthope Sodi/TM
2 Daniel Borton BRM/TM
3 Matt Dittman Tonykart/Vortex
4 Lucas Orrock Tonykart/Vortex
5 Joe Charlton CRG/TM
Results Final 2
1 Easthope
2 Borton
3 James Mudd Energy/TM
4 Dittman
5 Orrock
Provisional Championship Points
1 Daniel Borton 154
2 Henry Easthope 152
3 Lucas Orrock 142
4 Matt Dittmann 137
5 Joe Charlton 134
6 Jamie Rush 131

MSA British Junior Kart Championship KF Junior
The Sahara Force India supported Jehan Daruvala topped qualifying over the newcomer to the series, the Thai driver Sasakom Chaimongkol. The latter came off in the first heat and although he came second to Daruvala in the second, he started grid 8 and never really recovered. He whilst Daruvala won the first final from pole. The rest strung out behind Daniel Ticktum and Philip Rawson. In the second final Daruvala was pushed into a spin at the start, but stormed back to finish fourth. Chaimongkol was excluded from that final for driving standards. All that had left Rawson out on his own until his engine lost all its coolant. He just survived for the win, Ticktum dropping to third on the last lap in favour of Harrison Newey, son of the Red Bull Racing F1 designer, after Ticktum had tried for a pass for the win.

Results Final 1
1 Jehan Daruvala Alonso
2 Daniel Ticktum Alonso
3 Philip Rawson Tonykart
4 Daniel McAuley Alonso
5 Dean MacDonald ART
Results Final 2
1 Rawson
2 Harrison Newey Wright
3 Ticktum
4 Daruvala
5 CharlieBarlow Zanardi
Provisional Championship Points
1 Jehan Daruvala 154
2 Daniel Ticktum 149
3 Philip Rawson 140
4 Harrison Newey 140
5 Dean MacDonald 133
6 Ross Martin 125

MSA British Cadet Kart Championship for IAME Cadet
Oliver York set down his marker for the British title amongst the forty hopefuls, taking both final wins. William Pettit and Oliver York had topped their respective qualifying sessions, Pettit just getting the verdict overall. Alex Quinn and York took the heat wins, York both of his. In the first final, Teddy Wilson slotted into second as they all fought round the first few corners but he succumbed to Lewis Thompson and fell back to an eventual seventh. Thompson got alongside York over the line, the official gap was 0.01s. Kiern Jewiss stormed up to third after poor heats, over Matthew Graham and Jonny Edgar. In the second final Edgar relieved York of the lead on the first lap, but York found a gap in his defences mid-race. William Pettitt and Alex Quinn stormed through from their start positions of tenth and fourteenth respectively to finish third and fourth, the top four all closing up at the end.

Results Final 1
1 Oliver York Zip
2 Lewis Thompson Zip
3 Kiern Jewiss Zip
4 Matthew Graham Zip
5 Jonny Edgar Zip
Results Final 2
1 York
2 Edgar
3 William Pettitt Zip
4 Alex Quinn Zip
5 Jewiss
Provisional Championship Points
1 Oliver York 160
2 Lewis Thompson 146
3 Jonny Edgar 144
4 Kiern Jewiss 137
5 Alex Quinn 137
6 Matthew Graham 134

Formula KGP National Championship
Mark Litchfield and Bobby Game shared the wins but only after a penalty had been applied. Luca Hirst had topped the qualifying over Game and Danny Keirle on the very wet Saturday, whilst Litchfield had a fuelling problem and didn’t set a representative time. He soon stormed through the second heat to sixth after another problem in the first. The heats were won by Game and Joe Porter, so Hirst and Game shared the front row and soon a five way battle commenced with Litchfield slicing through to the front over Hirst and Game after Keirle dropped out with an electrical problem. Porter had slotted into second but gradually slipped down the order. In the second final, Hirst fell out of the lead battle with a spin at the second hairpin leaving Game and Litchfield duelling hard for the win. A tiny mistake by Game was capitalised on by Litchfield with a chop into Pits corner, then Game took a wide line to run out of hairpin 2 side by side, Litchfield just getting the verdict only to receive a 5 place penalty for contact, so leaving Game the winner over Phil Smith. Keirle had stormed up from the back to fifth, just behind Ryan Green.
Final 1
1 Mark Litchfield CRG
2 Luca Hirst Birel
3 Bobby Game Alonso
4 Josh Waring Tonykart
5 Denis Gorman Maranello
Final 2
1 Game
2 Phil SmithTonykart
3 Toby Sowery Tonykart
4 Ryan Green DR
5 Danny Keirle Jade
Provisional Championship Points
1 Bobby Game 153
2 Phil Smith 138
3 Josh Waring 134
4 Luca Hirst 134
5 Toby Sowery 133
6 Mark Litchfield 130

Junior TKM ABkC National Championship
Matt Davies dominated the junior economy class in both wet and dry conditions, and took home a full points tally. Daniel Baybutt had been nearest in the wet qualifying, then Jake Campbell-Mills and Jak Watson were the heat runner-ups. Campbell-Mills retired after the start of the second heat so only started the first final on grid 11 whilst Baybutt shared the front row. Baybutt managed to get into second at the start, but was usurped by Alex Forward, and later by Alex McRoberts whilst Campbell-Mills only reached seventh. In the second final Davies nearly doubled his early winning gap to 8s, this time Letts waiting until mid-race to regain third from McRoberts then vault over Forward to take second.
Final 1
1 Matt Davies Tonykart
2 Alex Forward DSG
3 Alex McRoberts Jade
4 Daniel Baybutt Jade
5 Stephen Letts Tonykart
Final 2
1 Davies
2 Letts
3 Kyle Hornby DSG
4 Dino Lee Tonykart
5 Cameron Clarke TKM
Provisional Championship Points
1 Matt Davies 160
2 Alex Forweard 142
3 Daniel Baybutt 136
4 Stephen Letts 135
5 Shea Pearce 130
6 Tom Owen 126

TKM Extreme ABkC National Championship
Although Will van Es topped the timed qualifying sheets over Charlie Bruce-White, he didn’t fare so well in the heats, with only a third and fourth, as Bruce-White claimed both wins. Luke Graver from grid 3 took advantage of both at the start of the first final, but was soon relieved of the lead by Bruce-White. He and Van Es traded the lead a few times until Van Es settled into first, challenged to within 0.01s over the finish line. Graver had fallen away by some 6s, holding off Andrew Lawrence and a train of karts at the finish. Joe Forsdyke was not scored at all as his transponder was missing and he only reached eighth from the back in the second final. Van Es enjoyed a lights to flag victory in the second final with Graver and Bruce-White swapping second at the end for exactly the same top five as in the first one. This year points are awarded in the heats, and this has enabled Bruce-White to take the championship lead by a point over finals winner Van Es.
Final 1
1 Will van Es Tonykart
2 Charlie Bruce-White Tonykart
3 Luke Graver Tonykart
4 Andrew Lawrence Tonykart
5 Ryan Stronach Tonykart
Final 2
1 Van Es
2 Bruce-White
3 Graver
4 Lawrence
5 Stronach
Provisional Championship Points
1 Charlie Bruce-White 156
2 Will Van Es 155
3 Luke Graver 146
4 Paul Monks 136
5 Andrew Lawrence 134
6 Ryan Stronach 131

Jason Richards was always a keen kart racer (Pic: EDGE Photographics)

Competitors at this weekend’s Rotax Pro Tour event in Geelong, Victoria will be focusing on more than just a winner’s trophy with the event doubling as the second annual Jason Richards Memorial.

The event, designed to honour the former kart racer and V8 Supercar driver, will see in excess of 130 competitors converge on the Corio Bay circuit to battle for victory in one of six karting categories, all of which are powered by 125cc Rotax engines.

Richards, who at just 35 years of age tragically lost his battle with cancer 18 months ago, was a keen kart racer after starting his career at the age of eight at the Nelson kart track in his homeland of New Zealand.

He competed in karts competitively on both sides of the Tasman for almost a decade during his formative years resulting in an impressive 35 championship wins.

After advancing to cars, the likeable character would often return to various karting circuits both in Australia and New Zealand to give back anyway he could to the sport that provided him with so much joy.

In 2010, Richards competed in several Rotax Pro Tour karting events, including one at the Geelong circuit, in order to boost his race fitness and have some fun.

“Jason was always a fantastic supporter of not only the Rotax Pro Tour but karting in general and his loss has touched many of us in the sport,” said Rotax Pro Tour’s Ian Black.

“We wanted to honour him in a very special way.  Last year, the event was held in conjunction with our Albury event, this year we’ve made it Geelong where Jason raced with us a couple of years ago.

Troy Woolston with the Jason Richards Award he was presented with at last year's event

“Along with the regular awards, we will be presenting the Jason Richards Memorial Award, which will not necessarily got to one of the front runners in their respective category but more so someone who has shown some of the traits that made JR such a popular competitor.

“The Jason Richards Memorial Award is awarded to a driver who displays exceptional sportsmanship win lose or draw. Someone who has a hard charging attitude and always drives it like it is stolen, someone who has the ability to win, never gives up and is fiercely determined. Someone who most importantly, is always smiling….to quote JR himself “it’s not about the man in the fight….it’s about the FIGHT in the man.”

Last year’s recipient of the Award, Troy Woolston was honoured to be the inaugural recipient.

“It’s an absolute honour to be presented with this award, Jason was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word and always had time for everyone,” said Woolston.

“This award is something that I will very much treasure.”

While the likes of Daniel Rochford, Bradley Jenner and Tyler Greenbury will resume hostilities in the Rotax Light category, one notable absentee from the entry list is Pierce Lehane.  The Sydneysider will miss the event due to him competing in round two of the Rotax Euro Challenge in Italy.  14-time National Champion David Sera will however be sure to keep the Pro Tour regulars on their toes in a guest appearance aboard his Arrow kart.

Tyler Greenbury was victorious at the most recent Rotax Pro Tour event in Newcastle. (Pic: Quickpixels.com.au)

Queenslanders Brendan Nelson, Matt Greenbury and William Yarwood will be expected to figure prominently in the battle for the Rotax Heavy win alongside Melbourne’s Rick Pringle and local driver Daniel Richert.

The largest field to assemble will be the Junior Rotax category with 32 drivers set to line up on the grid.  The DD2 and DD2 Masters categories will see 17 drivers in each field, while 16 teenagers will battle it out in the Sodi Junior Rotax Trophy Class.  The winner of the DD2 category will also receives the Jason Richards Cup.

Practice begins on Friday ahead of heat races on Saturday.  The pre-finals and finals will be contested on Sunday.

Michael Saller's Tony Kart

Michael Saller has his sights on round success as the 2013 Rotax Pro Tour makes its way to the coastal city of Geelong for the annual Jason Richards Memorial as the season winds into its closing stages ahead of the Rotax National Championships in September.

The tight Beckley Park International Raceway circuit is one that Michael enjoys racing on, and with this confidence in mind he is looking towards securing a strong result.

“I’ve raced at Geelong once before, the long straight makes for some exciting racing, however to match it with the local Victorians I’ll have to bring my best driving with me.

“We are more than halfway through the championship, however getting a DNF in Newcastle really hurt our rankings standing, our focus going to Geelong is secure key results and deliver some good outcomes for the team,” Saller said.

After joining with Karting World and Tony Kart Australia earlier in the year, Michael has been working hard on his development as an overall driver, and adapting to work within a new team, every round is crucial for the young gun to improve as a whole.

“I’m feeling really comfortable with the handling of my Tony Kart after my second place at the CIK Stars of Karting round in Adelaide, I feel we have outright pace now and this along with my fourth pole position of the year at Bolivar, my focus is to now piece it all together and deliver a race winning package by the final.

“My immense thanks must go to Troy Farley, aswell as my whole family and Tom Williamson from Karting World for helping guide me over the last few events, further more my sponsors MSP Shopfittings, Tony Kart Australia and TF Race Engines,” Saller concluded.

Round five of the Rotax Pro Tour and the Jason Richards Memorial will take place at Beckley Park International Raceway, Geelong, Victoria from May 24-26.

The Sydney based retail outlet will be rebranded as Kart Connect and headed by long-time karting retail specialist Darren King. Darren has more than 20 years experience in the industry, charged with the new-look outlet.

“The change to Kart Connect is in line with an expansion of our product range and services, which has come about to better service the needs of the Australian karter,” said Kart Connect Managing Director Chris Dell.

“We now have a crack team of staff including CIK specialist Mattia Madami, Engine Tuner & Comer specialist Ken Mitchell, and experienced sales, technical support and logistics manager Darren King. Together this team can offer everything our customers will need.

Kart Connect will expand to offer a wider variety of products and services to better meet the needs of all sectors of the sport.

“As the CRG Race Centre, it gave the market place the idea that we only focused on one brand but in reality this was never the case.  We always stocked parts for all sorts of karts and parts, the rebranding to Kart Connect will make it easier for the consumer to understand,” added Dell.

While the retail outlet will be open six days per week, Kart Connect will also have a new web site to further assist our customers with technical information and product range. this new web site will be launched in the coming months.

Kart Connect
8/244 Horsley Road
MILPERRA NSW 2214
Phone 02 9773 8477

Services
Sales
Kart Preparation, Service & Maintenance
Engine Tuning (RKS by Ken Mitchell)
Technical Support
Chassis Straightening & Repair
Axle Straightening
Transport
Track Service
Fully Stocked trackside spares

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 7:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm