Speedster races to State Title - From the Riverina Herald

Another race, another state title for go-karter Reece Sidebottom.

The Echuca speedster claimed his eighth state title when he won the junior national light category at the Victorian State Karting Championship in Puckapunyal earlier this month.

Sidebottom, 12, lined up against 39 other karters in his category, including fellow district karters Shaun Costello and Daniel Zandt.

He stepped up to the junior light category (13 to 16 years) from the rookie division (10 to 13 years) two months ago and said he noticed a substantial difference in the competition.

‘‘It was a lot harder racing against the older guys,’’ he said.

‘‘They’ve been racing for way longer and were a bit faster than what I expected.’’

The St Joseph’s College student will increase the amount of race meets in 2013 after easing off to focus on motorcycling and football last year.

His next race is the Australian National Sprint Kart Championship at Monarto in South Australia over the Easter weekend.

He will also compete at state titles in Tasmania and South Australia among others meets.

Winning the national event would earn Sidebottom more than just a winner’s trophy, with his grandparents promising to take him to Bali if he claims the title.

Sidebottom hopes to upgrade to formula 4s in two years time as he pursues his dream of racing V8s.