24th October 2013

Pro Tour returns to Albury for new rankings season - From Rotax Pro Tour

While many series’ are wrapping up their year’s events, the Rotax Pro Tour is just kicking into gear with a new rankings season set to commence this weekend in Albury. With new initiatives including the introduction of a State of Origin Shield and a new Rotax Ranking points structure, the event is sure to provide interest from far and wide.

Just two weeks away from the 2013 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in New Orleans, USA, a number of Australia’s team members will make an appearance at Albury, with some opting for a change in their regular chassis to gain experience in what they will compete in on the World stage.

In DD2 Masters, Adam Hunter will make the grid in Albury with Victorian duo Daniel Richert and Hamish Leighton deciding to sit this one out and instead continue preparations for their trip to New Orleans. Former National Rotax Light Champion Pierce Lehane will be the sole Senior Max representative heading to Albury, with Daniel Rochford and Tyler Greenbury to complete the trio in New Orleans. Current Junior Max National title holder James Abela has stepped up to Rotax Light for the Albury event, though the Sydney driver will compete in juniors for the World Finals alongside fellow statesman Joseph Burton-Harris and Victorian Liam McLellan who will move to an Energy Kart chassis for this weekend in preparation for the Grand Finals.

Jason Pringle will be competing in DD2 in final preparations before the World Finals with the Queensland pairing of Lucas Ward and Brendan Nelson set to compete alongside the experienced campaigner. Nelson was added to the team to replace Rick Pringle who stepped out due to work commitments.

State pride will be on the line in the Rotax Pro Tour starting from Albury as points will be recorded for drivers in line with the Manufacturers Cup format for the prize known as the State of Origin shield. Points will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place and accumulated throughout the year to determine the best performing State. As the healthy New Zealand presence continues to grow, they will hold their own place in the new initiative, with winners being announced at the 2014 Rotax Nationals. Daniel Kinsman will be competing in Albury to represent New Zealand, with a record number of drivers expected to cross the Tasman in 2014.

An extensive field of Junior Max drivers will highlight the season’s first event with over 40 of Australia’s best young drivers due to battle it out in an oversubscribed format. The racing will run in accordance with World rules of group heat racing, with the top 36 to progress through to Sunday’s pre-final and final.

As part of the new formats for the 2013/2014 season, the pre-final length will be extended and will feature points for the first time in the series. They will be allocated using a formula of approx. 75% of the total points available from a final. This will then attract competitor’s series’ being calculated as their best 12 results from 16 events. Further, the pre-final races will be approximately 18km to coincide with the new points system. Full details on the rankings points system including the point’s tables for the Finals & Pre Final can be downloaded from the Rotax Australia website.

Practice will take place across Friday, with qualifying and heat races on Saturday and the pre-finals and finals on Sunday. Friday night will see the return of the pre-event BBQ kicking off at the track at 5.30pm, with competitors, pit crew and family all welcome to attend and mix with fellow drivers ahead of the weekend’s racing.

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