FRIDAY NOTEBOOK FROM THE VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tents, karts, trucks, trailers and cars – EVERYWHERE
Yep, that’s right there are pit tents, trucks, trailers and cars everywhere this weekend at the Victorian Karting Championships.

With more than 350 entries received for this weekend’s event the pit area is full to the brim with drivers pitting almost around the entire circuit.

Can’t keep a good man down
There is an old saying that you can’t keep a good man down and that sits very true when referring to long-time Victorian karting identity Clint Cathcart.

The CC Racing proprietor recently suffered a minor stroke while working in the back yard of his Melbourne home. After consulting his doctor Cathcart was ordered to be bed ridden for a week before easing his way back into work.

“If you tied his hands together he’d still find a way to do something with them,” said his father Peter.

Cathcart is trackside this weekend in his usual full steam ahead style looking after customers and said “yeah, it was a bit of a scare but I probably have just got to live more of a healthier lifestyle.”

Newcomers to Port Melbourne
While he may be a dual Australian Champion Shayne Piper is a ‘rookie’ this weekend. Prior to Wednesday’s practice the Monaco pilot had never driven at the Port Melbourne circuit.

Another ‘newcomer’ to the Port Melbourne circuit is Jason Burns – he has only competed at the venue on a handful of occasions during his time in the CIK style of racing. This weekend is Burns’ first time aboard a Clubman kart at the venue.

Wright karts making an impact
Another new chassis brand to recently hit Australian shores is the English Wright Kart. A number of these chassis are in action this weekend and they are already making an impact.

Morwell youngster Jordan Caruso was the fastest qualifier in the Midgets category while Reece Sidebottom was second fastest in the Rookies category.