JOEY HANSSEN TO LINE UP IN 2013 STARS OF KARTING

Dutch driver Joey Hanssen will call Australia home in 2013

2011 KZ2 World Cup Champion Joey Hanssen has announced that he will be competing in Australia’s elite karting championship, the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, next year.

Hanssen, who will take up residence in Perth early in January, will be competing under the Lenzo Kart Australia banner in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category.

“The best drivers compete in this series (CIK Stars of Karting). My dad always taught me to race against the best, they will make you a better driver no matter whether you win or lose – you always learn,” said Hanssen.

“I want to thank Brendan Shugg (Lenzo Kart Australia) for giving me the opportunity and my parents for their support all these years and finally have to let me go and also my lovely girlfriend who is so supportive about my passion.”

Hanssen’s only visit to Australia came last month when he competed at the Kalgoorlie Dash for Cash event in Western Australia, where he was victorious. It was at this event where he gained an appreciation for the high level of talent in Australia and believes 2013 will be a big challenge for him – both on and off the track.

“I think it’s more friendly here (in Australia), it’s easy going and all of the people don’t try to cheat all of the time, in Europe it’s just my job and here the racing seems to be more fun,” said Hanssen.

Understandably, Lenzo Kart Australia boss Brendan Shugg is excited about having such a well-credentialed driver join his ever-expanding outfit for 2013.

“For Joey to join us at Lenzo Kart Australia its going to take the team to that next level and offer our drivers something no other kart team in Australia can,” said Shugg.

“After seeing how he works and the preparation he does before he gets to a race meeting I can see why he has become so successful. It’s a great opportunity for all Lenzo kart drivers to receive first class advice from a former World Champion.”

The inclusion of Hanssen on the grid as a part of the 2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series is something that Australian Karting Association National President and International Karting Committee Chairman Craig Denton believes is further proof of the strength of Australian karting.

anssen in action during his Australian debut at the Dash for Cash event last month (Pic: Real Deal Media)

“Since we rejuvenated the CIK Series, our aim has been to attract the best drivers to race in it and also to one day have an international level event back on Australian soil. With Joey committing to the series in 2012, I’m sure it will open the eyes of more drivers from overseas,” said Denton.

“The interest in all three of our Pro categories continues to be strong across the board and we’re working hard on making 2013 even bigger and better than this year. It is the 20th anniversary for the series, so we’re working to make it a special year.”

The 2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE kicks off on the final weekend in February at Ipswich in Queensland.

Joey Hanssen Racing Career
1997 – 2002
Mini Juniors 60cc
1997: 4th place Maxxis Challange cup
1998: 4th place Maxxis Challange cup
1999: 3rd place Maxxis Challange cup
2000: 3rd place Maxxis Challange cup
2001 : Vice Champion Maxxis Challange cup ( missing 2 meetings )
2002: Vice Champion Maxxis Challange cup ( missing 1 meeting )

2003&2004
100cc Juniors
2003: Maxxis Callange cup champion, Dutch Vice-Champion, Winner German Euro Pokaal
2004: Maxxis Callange cup champion, Dutch Vice-Champion

2005
KZ2 125cc Shifter
– Maxxis Challange cup Champion, Sevral Fastest laps and poles in the Dutch open Championship (79 Drivers in KZ2 )

2006
KZ2 125cc Shifter.
– Dutch Vice-Champion

2007
Karting
KZ2 125cc Shifter
– Dutch Vice-Champion

Touring Cars
– Winner BRL-Light series Round 4 in front of 150.000 people during Champ Car event at ASSEN.
– Rookie of the year.

Formula Cars
– 1st place in Formula Gloria North-Europe Championship.
– Winner Formula Gloria Eurocup.
– 4th place Formula Azzurra race in Monza ( Italy )

2008
Karting
KZ2 125cc Shifter
– 2 Podiums CIK-FIA European Championship KZ2
– 7th in WSK EURO CUP KZ1

Formula Ford
– Winner Last round of the Dutch championship

Formula Gloria
– Winner GP of Spa Francorshamps

2009
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
– Rookie of the year award
– Finished 13th out of 51 Drivers in the Championship.

2010
– Joined Luxor Racing Team for four wins from six races late in the year

2011
Karting
– KZ2 WORLD CUP WINNER, International Karting Circuit Genk ( Belgium )
– 2nd in WSK FINAL CUP, International Raceway Ortona ( Italy )
– Winner 5 out of 6 Races Dutch championship KZ2 but skipped 1 meeting.

Formula Toyota Oval Series
-Winner Shorttrack Eurocup
-2nd in Championship While missing 2 Meetings out of 5

2012
Professional Go-Kart driver for the Luxor Official Racing Team in the class KZ1 (125cc Shifter)
Karting
– 4th in German open Karting Championship KZ1
– 3rd WSK Euro series , Sarno ( Italy )
– Pole Position WSK Euro series , Val D’Argenton ( France )
– Dash For Cash Race winner, Kalgoorlie ( Australia )
– Winner Dutch championship rounds 3,4 & 5

Tracks Joey Hanssen has driven at throughout his career:

Karting Circuits
1. Berghem (The Netherlands)**
2. Emmen (The Netherlands)**
3. Strijen (The Netherlands)**
4. Amsterdam (The Netherlands)**
5. Venray (The Netherlands)**
6. Eindhoven (The Netherlands)**
7. lelystad (The Netherlands)**
8. Genk (Belgium)**
9. Mariembourg (Belgium)**
10. Spa Francorshamps (Belgium)**
11 Hahn (Germany)*
12. Wackersdorf (Germany)**
13. Kerpen (Germany)**
14. Liedolsheim (Germany)
15. Ampfing (Germany)
16. Emsburen (Germany)
17. Varennes (France)*
18. Angerville (France)*
19. Val d’Argenton (France)
20. La Conca (Italy)
21. Sarno (Italy) *
22. Val Vibrata (Italy)
23. Lonato (Italy)
24. Brolo (Italy)
25.Corridonia (Italy)
26. Ortona V *
27. Tibi (Italy)
28. Portimao (Portugal) *
29. Zuera (Spain)
30. Goodwood (Canada)
31. Kalgoorlie (Australia) **
32. Wanneroo (Australia)

Car Racing:
Roadcourse
1. Zandvoort (The Netherlands)**
2. Assen (The Netherlands)**
3. Spa Francorchamps (Belgium)**
4. Nurbergring (Germany)*
5. Zolder (Belgium)**
6. Quebec City (Canada)
7. Monza (Italy)*
8. Misano (Italy)**
9.Trois Rivireres (Canada)
10. Montreal (Canada)
11. Mosport Road Course (Canada)
12. Edminton indy (Canada)
13. Barbagallo Raceway (Australia)

Oval
1. Raceway Venray (The Netherlands)**
2. Atigonish (Canada)
3. Posterholt (The Netherlands)**
4. Barrie Speedway (Canada)
5. Mosport oval (Canada)
6. Delaware Speedway (Canada)
7. Kawartha Speedway (Canada)
8. Vernon (Canada)
9. Saskatoon (Canada)
10. Ter Apel (The Netherlands)**

** Tracks with a WIN
* Tracks with a Podium finish