03/02/2010

GRUBEL IS AIMING FOR THE STARS

Barden Ridge (Sydney) kart racer Trent Grubel is getting set for the biggest year of his karting career with the 15 year-old set to compete Australia’s elite series, the CIK Stars of Karting Series, during 2010.

The year 10 St Patrick’s College student will compete in the Pro Junior(KF3) category that will have him line up against some of best young drivers from various parts of the country at speeds in excess of 100 km/h on the karting circuit.

Grubel, who has been racing karts for almost five years now, gained a passion for the sport after trying his hand behind the wheel at a hire kart centre.

“Just by accident one day we drove past a hire kart centre and Dad said why don’t we go and check these out? From there I was instantly hooked and it has been great fun ever since,” said Grubel.

After several successful years racing on the New South Wales karting scene where he has been highly placed in a number of major events, Grubel is looking forward to the next challenge in his karting career during 2010.

“The karts and engines that we are using in the CIK Stars of Karting series are the same as what they use in the European and World Championships, they produce more power than anything I’ve ever driven before,” said Grubel.

“My main aim for this year is to gain some good experience behind the wheel of a high performance kart, learn about how to race on grippier tyres like they do in Europe and develop myself as a driver.”

The CIK Stars of Karting Series will kick off in Newcastle on March 5-7 and will incorporate the Australian CIK Championships for the Pro Light (KF1), Pro Gearbox (KZ2) and Pro Junior (KF3) categories.

Competitors in the Pro Light category will use the 125cc IAME KF specification engine, as used in the 2009 championship that was won by Newcastle driver Hayden McBride. The Pro Gearbox drivers will take to the track powered by a six-speed 125cc gearbox machine while the Pro Junior drivers will use a 125cc Vortex KF3 specification engine.

Driver's looking to register their interest in the series or purchase a KF specification engine for use in the series should contact Peter Galvin on 0433 042 900.

Running in conjunction with the series will also be a Clubman and Junior National category, where competitors will be vying for the East Coast Title, along with one class chosen by the host club.

About the CIK Stars of Karting Series
The CIK Stars of Karting Series is the elite level of karting competition in Australia.

The CIK (Commission Internationale de Karting) is the specialised Karting commission of the FIA, the governing body of world motor sport.

Competitors in the series use similar equipment to that used in the European and World Championships.

The 2010 series will be run over four rounds with the opening round in Newcastle (March 5-7) followed by Ipswich (May 7-9), Sydney's Eastern Creek (June 18-20) ahead of the finale at Melbourne's Todd Road circuit on August 6-8.

Running in conjunction with the series will be the Clubman and Junior National categories where competitors will be vying for the honour of becoming the East Coast Title holder.

There will also be another 'local' class contested at each of the rounds. Former Champions of the CIK Stars of Karting Series include V8 Supercar Champion Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom, Ryan Briscoe, Michael Caruso, Tim Slade, Troy Hunt, Andrew Thompson, Phillip Scifleet and Christian Jones.

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Sydney teenager Trent Grubel in action behind the wheel of his Kosmic kart. (Pic: photowagon.com.au)