17th June 2011

DEBUTANT DIXON IMPRESSES DURING PRACTICE AT PORT MELBOURNE

Jake Dixon in action during practice at Port Melbourne today. Pic: AF Images

Melbourne youngster Jake Dixon made an impressive start to his CIK Stars of Karting Series debut during practice at Melbourne’s Todd Road circuit today.

Dixon, who turned 13 earlier this week, is lining up in the elite junior category Pro Junior (KF3) against 17 of the best junior drivers from across the country and one from New Zealand.

“I’m really happy with how things have gone today, I’m only one or two tenths of a second behind the pacesetters of the category,” said Dixon.

“The engine is more powerful than anything I’ve driven before and I’m the youngest, and possibly the lightest, driver in the field so it’s going to be very much of a learning experience this weekend.

“I felt pretty nervous earlier this morning but as the day went on my nerves all settled down and I started to feel a lot more comfortable.”

The Melbourne youngster was consistently inside the top six fastest drivers throughout the day to be well poised for the weekend ahead.

Dixon is being guided throughout the weekend by fellow Arrow Racing Karts driver David Sera, who was also one the pacesetters in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category today.

Also making his debut in this weekend’s event is Dalton Ellery, son of former V8 Supercar driver Steve Ellery. The youngster is making his first start in the elite series 22 years after his father moved from karting to Formula Ford. Steve’s last event in karting was the 1989 Victorian Closed Championships where he and Craig Lowndes were competing in the Junior International category.

Albury driver Macauley Jones set the pace in Pro Gearbox (KZ2) Pic: AF Images

Albury driver Macauley Jones was the pacesetter in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category with a lap time of 39.782 seconds, narrowly ahead of round two winner David Sera.

Joining Sera and Jones inside the 40-second bracket was Melbourne driver Lee Mitchener and Vodafone-backed Tony Kart pilot Chris Hays.

Local Gillard driver Daniel Rochford and reigning Victorian Champion Adam Hughes set the fastest times in the Pro Light (KF1) category. Defending series champion Cian Fothergill, Matthew Waters and James Macken also finished the day with some impressive pace.

A total of 133 entries have been received for this weekend’s round of the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, including two from New Zealand and one from Indonesia, Qualifying will be held tomorrow from 9am.

The Port Melbourne Karting Complex is located on the corner of Cook Street and Todd Road. Admission is free for spectators.