EXCITEMENT BUILDING AHEAD OF THE DASH IN THE WEST

Michael Patrizi believes the Dash for Cash has the potential to become the biggest stand alone event in Australia (Pic: Real Deal Media)

Build it and they will come!

Those were the words from Kalgoorlie V8 Supercar driver Michael Patrizi ahead of the 2011 Kalgoorlie Case & Drill Dash for Cash event in Western Australia and he was right.

The 2012 running of the event this weekend will see no less than three internationals lining up on the grid. Two of the biggest drivers in the karting world, Italian Roberto Toninelli and Dutchman Joey Hanssen, are in town for the $10,000 KZ2 race while Brit Darren Burke is lining up in the Pro Leopard category.

“The Dash for Cash event has been a long standing event on the Western Australian calendar, but over the last couple of years this really stepped up a gear with the introduction of the feature classes,” said Patrizi.

“To have not only two of the world’s best drivers in the KZ2 category but also two team owners from the biggest teams in Europe, here has been unheard of in Australia karting for almost 20 years. It is a really a testament to the effort put in by everyone in the Eastern Goldfields Kart Club here in Kalgoorlie.”

While pleased with the fact that the European drivers, and 25 of Australia’s best drivers, will line up in tomorrow night’s KZ2 Feature race, Patrizi believes there is a lot more potential in the event.

“There is no doubt that this event has the potential to become THE biggest stand alone event in the country. The support from the local community has been amazing and we’re hoping to take this up to another level in 2013,” said Patrizi.

“Everyone who comes over here to Kalgoorlie simply loves their time here. We’re already looking to put plans in place to get more Europeans out here for next year’s event and attracting even more of Australia’s top drivers.”

Also attending this weekend’s event is three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss with his son Oli. It is Bayliss’ first time to the Goldfields region and after checking out the Super Pit this morning spent the day at the circuit with Oli, who will be competing in the Cadets category across the weekend.

“The facilities are a lot better than what I expected, the track is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve been to in Australia. Oli really loves the layout of the track and we’re having a great time here,” said Bayliss.

A total of 209 entries has been received for the event with racing beginning tomorrow and continuing on Sunday. The feature races will be held between 7pm and 9pm tomorrow night.