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.
Hanssen and Hays are just two of the 27 competitors who will line up in the Pro Gearbox ranks, which is the only class in Australian karti ng that f eatures a standing start.
No l e s s than 145 drivers will take to the circuit across the weekend, with drivers in the three pro categories fighting it out for more than $40,000 in scholarships and prizes in the championship.
Geelong Kart Club president Dennis Hogan said it was an honour for the club to host a round of Australia’s elite karting championship.
