To view the entry list please click here.

ON THE CLIMB: Kel Treseder kept his CIK Stars Of Karting series hopes alive with second place in Geelong. AF Images

KEL Treseder’s quest for the 2013 CIK Stars Of Karting KZ2 title was on the line in Round 3 and a poor result would have seen him slip from contention, but he rallied to be runner-up behind Joey Hanssen to stay in touch with the competition’s front runners.

Battling cold and windy conditions Treseder’s result came after being ninth through Saturday’s heats and pre-final before climbing to third late in the afternoon.

The early sessions Sunday weren’t any better with Treseder steering the Kel’s Karts and Parts machine to ninth and 24th in qualifying and another third in pre-final two.

In the final race of the weekend Treseder was superb and after a long on-track battle with the 2011 KZ2 World Cup Champion Hanssen, Treseder was second.

Hanssen took the series lead after Christopher Hays had a torrid weekend finishing 13th and banking 81 points for the weekend, Treseder is sixth on the points table.

At last weekend’s CIK Stars of Karting Series, K-Rock’s B Team got into the action with a pair of junior drivers representing the two Breakfast hosts, Chicken and Marisa, in a challenge during Friday practice.

The original plan was for a Challenge between the radio hosts on the Thursday but wet weather curtailed this.

Rochester Motorsport Complex will host the third round of the Golden Power Series karting championships on the weekend.

Rochester Kart Club member Mark Dunstan said other members were looking promising in the series.

Thomas Hughes will compete in the junior national light competition and Stefan Moore and Christopher Dunstan in the sportsman restricted light.

Mark Dunstan will compete in the sportsman restricted over 40s.

Dunstan said Moore competed in the Victorian Carting Series and placed in the top five for the entire series.

Moore was excited about competing on the weekend and always enjoyed racing at the home ground.

Hughes has been competing in several events and will go on to the Queensland titles next week.

CAROLINE Springs youngster Jake Klein notched a memorable debut win at Geelong’s Beckley Park in the third round of the Castrol EDGE CIK Stars of Karting Championship.

Coming into the Pro Junior category this year, Klein put together a masterful race to get past fellow Victorian William Hawkes, with Damon Strongman making it a Victorian trifecta.

Earlier in the day, Strongman won the first final to put his title race back on track.

‘‘I really can’t put it into words how it feels,’’ Klein said last night.

‘‘I didn’t think I would be up the front this quickly but to win — especially in Geelong — is a great feeling.

‘‘The competition is very tough and it was a great race. I had to work hard to fight it out with William, but in the end we got the job done, so I amextremely happy for my entire crew.’’

In a day that had serious title implications across all three classes, junior championship leader Liam McLellan didn’t finish either of the finals.

In the Pro Light category, twice Junior Stars ofKarting champion Pierce Lehane made a successful return to CIK competition, winning both finals.

Lehane beat out resurgent Queenslander Brock Plumb and South Australian Ben Edwards, who had a hard- fought battle right to the line with Queenslander Mitchell Gee.

Australian trio Dimitri Agathos, Joseph Mawson and Josh Smith in Spain (Pic: KSP)

Australians Dimitri Agathos, Joseph Mawson and Josh Smith were out of luck at Round One of the 2013 CIK-FIA European KF Championships in Spain on the weekend.

The trio was among a strong field of 64 entrants representing 23 different countries at the prestigious event.

Mawson, competing with the Top Kart Racing team, qualified the best of the Australians on Friday by setting the 44th fastest time while the Kosmic Racing Australia pair of Smith and Agathos were 56th and 57th.

Throughout the heat races all three drivers focused towards a starting berth in the 34-kart final, which was decided from the top 17 finishers in the pair of pre-finals. Entering the finals stage Mawson was placed 24th, Agathos 50th and Smith 60th.

With all three drivers in the second pre-final, all three drivers would require some luck on their side if they were going to make the top 17 to transfer into the main event. Mawson was the best placed, with the Australian Motor Sport Foundation driver starting from the sixth row of the grid.

In the opening lap chaos of the pre-final, Mawson was dropped down the order to 21st while Agathos was caught up with an incident on turn three dropping him to second last.

Just as Mawson and Smith were closing in on a transfer position, another competitor made contact with the rear of Mawson’s kart which resulted in him spinning – right into the path of his fellow Australian Smith, eliminating the pair from the race.

Agathos’ race was over shortly after also with two karts colliding in front of him causing one to spear straight into his path.

The event was won by Kosmic Racing’s Nicklas Nielsen ahead of Danish counterpart Christian Sorensen and CRG driver Max Verstappen.

What the Australians had to say…

Top Kart Racing's Joseph Mawson in action (Pic: KSP)

Joseph Mawson (Hinchinbrook, NSW)
“The weekend was a very difficult one, not much went right for me,” said Mawson.
“After qualifying down the order I had a good run through the heat races to be 24th in points, which was a good achievement given I started in 40th after qualifying. In the pre-final, all I really needed to do is maintain my position and I would make the final. Unfortunately though I got caught up in a crash on turn one which dropped me well down the order.
I was then making my way back up the order and was running 18th, one sport behind a transfer spot, before getting hit in the rear and being spun around by another driver. I was then collected by a couple of other karts.
“Unfortunately, this weekend shows just how tough, and harsh, racing in Europe can really be.”

Townsville's Josh Smith (Pic: KSP)

Josh Smith (Townsville, QLD)
“Unfortunately Joey got turned around just in front of me and I had nowhere to go and collided with him at high speed,” said Smith.

“I’m now nursing some sore ribs and a few bruises but it was unlucky for the kart which acquired the most damaged with a twisted chassis. It was a shame for the trip to end the way it did but I have learnt so much these two weeks in Spain.

“A huge thanks must go to the Kosmic Racing Department, Kosmic Racing Australia and the Australian Motor Sport Foundation for their support and helping me get here. Also to Remo Racing, the Australian Karting Association, Lee Hanatschek and Peter Galvin for all the work he has done in getting this opportunity together.”

New South Wales driver Dimitri Agathos behind the wheel of his Kosmic kart (Pic: KSP)

Dimitri Agathos (Greystanes, NSW)
“It has been an awesome two weeks in Spain. I’ve learnt so much about racing and also about the kart,” said Agathos.
“I was unlucky not to be able to get a result in the pre final. After getting a great start I found myself being punted in the third corner which dropped me back to second last. I fought through the field only to get stuck behind someone that was three tenths slower then me. Going up the hill on the straight two karts come together causing one to shoot into me and the other in the opposite direction.
“Anyway that’s just racing. I like to say thank you to everyone for their support and a big thanks to Hogs Breath and the Kosmic Racing Department and Kosmic Racing Australia for making this experience possible.”

Jake Klein on his victory in Pro Junior (KFJ) (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Jake Klein took a memorable first up Pro Junior win at Geelong’s Beckley Park in the third round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE in a weekend that had serious Championship implications across the board.

Joining Klein on the winner’s list was Redspeed’s Pierce Lehane in Pro Light (KF) and last round winner, Joey Hanssen who has charged to the outright Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Championship lead.

Klein put together a masterful race to lead a Victorian trifecta in the Pro Junior (KFJ) category. With a handful of laps remaining, Arrow pilot William Hawkes led the way however Klein got around him, with Damon Strongman bouncing back to third after a tough round two.

Earlier in the day, Strongman won the first final – his second of the season – and has his Championship back on track.

“I really can’t put it into words how it feels,” said Klein after the race. “I didn’t think I would be up the front this quickly but to win, especially in Geelong is a great feeling.

“The competition is very tough and it was a great race. I had to work hard to fight it out with William, but in the end we got the job done, so I am extremely happy for my entire crew.”

In a day that will be long remembered as having serious Championship implications across all three classes, Junior Championship leader coming into round three, Liam McLellan didn’t finish either of the finals.

Pierce Lehane made a successful return to the championship (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

In the Pro Light (KF) category, twice Pro Junior (KFJ) Champion, Pierce Lehane made a successful return to CIK competition for the Redspeed team – making its Stars of Karting debut – setting an almost perfect weekend by taking out both finals.

In the second final this afternoon, he beat out resurgent Queenslander, Brock Plumb and South Australian Ben Edwards who had a hard fought battle right to the line with Mitchell Gee. Gee had his best performance of the Series so far, the Harrington Doyle Racing pilot putting behind him much of the bad luck that has plagued his 2013 with a pair of fourths.

At the top end of the Championship hunt, leader heading into the weekend, Matthew Waters had a terrible round, unable to get a purchase on the Geelong circuit. Several incidents in the second final saw him come across the line as the final finisher in 13th.

Waters’ nearest Championship combatant at the start of the weekend, round two winner, George Geranis had a solid final one finishing in the top five, however was a non-finisher in the second final due to an engine seizure. PCR’s Nathan Tigani continued his strong form with a pair of top five finishes.

John Grother and Joey Hanssen on the front row of the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Final (Pic: AF images/Budd)

Dutch World Cup Champ, Joey Hanssen showed that a switch to Shamick Racing’s CRG outfit between rounds didn’t harm his progress, establishing a clear Championship lead after winning his second final in succession.

He finished second in the opening final behind John Grother, who had a superb weekend with the Chupa Chups Energy. Grother was on for a double up in final two before a gearshift problem hampered his progress, dragging his ailing Energy to the finish line after leading the race by over two seconds.

Finishing behind the 21-year-old European was a pair of karting veterans in Kel Treseder and Matthew Wall.

Aiding Hanssen’s ascension to the top of the leaderboard was a weekend to forget for defending Australian Pro Gearbox Champion, Chris Hays. After a torrid run in the heats, Hays struck back to sixth in final one before an opening lap incident placed him deep in the pack. He was able to fight back to a disappointing, by his standards, 13th placed finish.

The Pro Junior Blackberry Powerful Award for this round was awarded to Canberra Tony Kart 12-year-old, Joshua Fife. By virtue of his provisional status, he has to start each race from the rear of grid and forged his way through to finish sixth in the second final.

The Adidas Motorsport All Star Award went to another Junior in Callum Walker. The Queenslander has showed great improvement throughout the 2013 season and despite some technical issues throughout the weekend showed that he has the pace to be a regular podium challenger in the Series.

Master Karting's Dean Foster won TaG 125 Light (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

In the Support Categories for the 2013 CIK Stars of Karting, presented by Castrol EDGE, Luke May made a successful return to the sport adding the State Championship for Dunlop Kartsport TaG Heavy to his extensive CV, whilst local racer Dean Foster won the TaG Light State title.

Cooper Murray continued his good form in the Rookies taking a solid victory, whilst in the TaG Restricted category, Jamie Robertson took out the Light Division and Luke Germanchis the Heavies.

The CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE moves onto Sydney at the end of July before returning to Melbourne’s Todd Road Circuit for its finale over the weekend of September 21-22.

For the full results please click here.

Luke May on his way to victory in TaG 125 Heavy (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE
Round 3 – Geelong, Victoria

RESULTS: Top Five
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Joey Hanssen (Netherlands) – CRG/LKE
2. Kel Treseder (Bundaberg, QLD) – Energy/TM
3. Matthew Wall (Sunbury, VIC) – CRG/TM
4. Lee Mitchener (Greensborough, VIC) – Formula K/TM
5. Aaron Ivermee (Point Cook, Vic) – Formula K/BMB

Pro Light (KF)
1. Pierce Lehane (Sydney, NSW) – Redspeed/IAME
2. Brock Plumb (Forest Lake, QLD) – Arrow/IAME
3. Ben Edwards (Adelaide, SA) – CRG/IAME
4. Mitchell Gee (Caloundra, QLD) – Kosmic/IAME
5. Nathan Tigani (Sydney, NSW) – PCR/IAME

Pro Junior (KFJ)
1. Jake Klein (Caroline Springs, VIC) – FA Kart/Vortex
2. William Hawkes (Lara, VIC) – Arrow/Vortex
3. Damon Strongman (Frankston, VIC) – Hasse/Vortex
4. Chris Sandrone (Sydney, NSW) – Exprit/Vortex
5. Matthew Foyle (Cairns, QLD) Kosmic/Vortex

Dunlop Kartsport TaG 125 Light
1. Dean Foster
2. Scott Andrews
3. Michael Carless
4. Darren Burke
5. Adam Mercer

Dunlop Kartsport TaG 125 Heavy
1. Luke May
2. Rick Pringle
3. Kip Foster
4. Jamies Reid
5. Michael Saller

Rookies
1. Cooper Murray
2. Jai Sparey
3. Jordan Caruso
4. Oscar Piastri
5. Cody Brewcynski

TaG 125 Restricted Light
1. Jamie Robertson
2. Kyle Henry-Smith
3. William Hopkinson
4. Sean Barnardo
5. Michael Buckley

TaG 125 Restricted Heavy
1. Luke Germanchis
2. Shaun Field
3. Stephane Majman
4. Andrew Freeman
5. Peter McDonald

Championship Points
After 3 of 5 rounds

Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Joey Hanssen – 382 points
2. Chris Hays – 356
3. Matthew Wall – 316
4. Jason Pringle – 298
5. Troy Bretherton – 290

Pro Light (KF)
1. George Geranis – 364 points
2. Matthew Waters – 343
3. Brooke Topp – 303
4. Troy Loeskow – 298
5. Jordan Nicolaou – 292

Pro Junior (KFJ)
1. Liam McLellan – 332 points
2. James Abela – 302
3. Damon Strongman – 294
4. Christopher Sandrone – 293
5. Andrew Kahl – 278

John Grother leading Jason Pringle in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) racing (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

The battle for championship honours in the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE heated up at Geelong’s Beckley Park International Raceway in Victoria today.

Both the championship leaders in the Pro Light (KF) and Pro Gearbox (KZ2) categories, Matthew Waters and Chris Hays, had a less than ideal day behind the wheel.

Waters qualified a lowly 11th fastest while Hays qualified 16th before encountering a flat tyre in the final heat race after finishing sixth and eighth in the opening two 20-lap heat races.

At the front of the Pro Light (KF) field, last round winner George Geranis, two-time Pro Junior (KFJ) Champion Pierce Lehane and Arrow Karts pilot Brock Plumb enjoyed some tight battles across the day.

Redspeed driver Pierce Lehane in Pro Light (KF) (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Geranis’ pair of second places and victory in the three heats secured him pole position aboard his Kosmic kart for tomorrow’s opening final.

“I didn’t qualify too well but was good to get up there and battle near the front in the heat races,” said Geranis.

“After breaking through for my first win last round, I’m really looking forward to getting out there tomorrow.”

While Hays was enduring a challenging day, so too was his main rival Joey Hanssen. After qualifying fourth, the Shamick Racing recruit stalled on the start line in heat one before fighting back to 16th during the 20-lap encounter. He then finished sixth in heat two and won heat three.

After securing a career first Pro Gearbox (KZ2) pole position earlier in the day, Queenslander John Grother crossed the line first in the opening two races before following Hanssen across the line in the final heat.

John Grother will start on pole position for tomorrow's opening final (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

“By this time last round I’d passed something like 45 karts, this weekend I’ve only passed one and it feels great,” said Grother.

“It was great to qualify on pole and then transfer that into a pair of heat wins. We tried a couple of things in the set-up during that final heat race which didn’t quite work but I’m confident we’ll be able to find some more speed tomorrow.”

In the Pro Junior (KFJ) category, Damon Strongman set the pace during qualifying in his Haase kart while using Castrol A747 oil and he continued that on in heat racing.

Strongman and his fellow Victorian, Championship leader Liam McLellan fought it out for much of the day, McLellan taking the first heat but Strongman edging him in the subsequent two.

Queenslander Callum Walker had a strong run in heat one finishing second, however wasn’t able to get off the line in heat two and the technical problems continued in heat three.

In the Dunlop TaG 125 State Championship categories, Joshua Crossingham will start the Pre-Final from the pole having shared heat race victories with Englishman Darren Burke. In the heavy division, Brendan Nelson shared heat wins with Michael Saller and the returning Luke May.

Cooper Murray has been the pace in Rookies, whilst Jamie Robertson leads the way in TaG Restricted.

Action continues tomorrow for all classes with Pre-Finals and Finals for the four support classes and the pair of Championship finals for the CIK Stars of Karting categories, presented by Castrol EDGE.

Follow the action across the weekend on the CIK Stars of Karting Series Twitter Feed (twitter.com/starsofkarting) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CIKStarsofKarting)

To view the full results, please click here.

To view the practice results from yesterday, please click here.

Damon Strongman aboard his Haase Kart (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Cooper Murray leading the Rookies field (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

TaG 125 Heavy race into turn one (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Joey Hanssen (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

DUTCH driver Joey Hanssen has given the Beckley Park International Raceway the thumbs up during practice for Round 3 of the Castrol EDGE CIK Stars ofKarting Series yesterday.

The 2011 World Cup champion is contesting Australia’s elite karting championship in Geelong this weekend with the Melbourne- based Shamick Racing outfit.

‘‘My first impressions of Geelong are very good, the weather is a little bit cold but the track and facility is very nice,’’ Hanssen said.

‘‘The layout provides some good opportunities to pass, which is always great for the spectators.

‘‘ With a long main straight, it’s probably one of the fastest circuits in Australia, we’ll get up to speeds in excess of 135km/ h. I’m really looking forward to the weekend ahead.’’

The 21-year-old will be competing in the Pro Gearbox category, where he currently sits second in the standings behind reigning champion Chris Hays from Queensland.

Geelong's fickle weather will test Kel Treseder and the rest of the field at the CIK Stars Of Karting this weekend. Photo: AF Images

WHEN this weekend’s round of the CIK Stars Of Karting roars to life in Geelong, the practice, kart preparation and technical developments Kel Treseder undertook in the past month may come to nothing because of one thing: Victoria’s infamous weather.

The forecast for the weekend in Geelong is a maximum of 12 degrees with SOME sun and rain periods – a far cry from the dry running in which he has been practising.

Treseder is seventh on the pointstable going into the round and with the first-wet race meeting in 16 rounds expected, all tactics he planned might be left in the pits.

With an improved engine package in his Kel’s Karts and Parts machine thanks to mechanic Jon Target, Treseder was expecting big things. A poor result could see him slip from contention for the 2013 title, but with a wet track a few extra horsepower will mean nothing.

Treseder says the planning and preparation might go out the window and the conditions would level the field in the two days.

“It’s going to be the first wet round in four years and we (the drivers) will be relying on other people’s luck,” Treseder said.

“Driving a KZ2 kart in the wet is like driving a road car on ice with standard tyres.

“There will be full understeer going into the corner and on the way out I will have to be careful on the throttle to stop wheelspin.

“The results because of the weather mean this could be a championship-changing weekend.”

Treseder remains positive before the round and the only comfort he will have is the other drivers will be subjected to the same conditions.