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17th January 2014

Josh Hart swaps Europe for New Role with IPKarting Australia and New Zealand

Josh Hart (right) with Bas Lammers at the SuperNationals in Las Vegas (Pic: www.tadeasmarek.cz)

Swapping Europe for the beaches of the Gold Coast NZ kart export Josh Hart has joined IPKarting to work across their Australian and New Zealand race commitments for kart brands Praga and OK1.

The move by Hart is a homecoming after six successful years in Europe building a reputation both for his driving and engineering skills. Hart has raced and worked with an enviable who’s who of the sport including Bas Lammers, who he engineered a 2012 KZ world championship with, as well as Jonathon Thonon and Alessandro Manetti.

Most recently Hart was thrilled when two of his drivers took the top step at the Rotax World Finals, with Juan Manuel Correra (US) victorious in JMax and Cristiano Morgado (SA) again dominating DD2 Masters and taking home his fourth Rotax world championship.

“We always strive to be proactive at IPKarting and the interest in the brands has recently gone to another level so Josh has been on our radar for many years and we are stoked to be able to finally give him a great reason and opportunity to come home” said IPKarting’s Ken Bensley.

“Josh is a great fit for what we offer as he has a great results-driven approach to racing and is hugely respected in the global industry, combined with his knowledge of our karts from developing the chassis for the IPK factory with the world’s top drivers. It is an unbeatable combination and I can’t wait to see his effect on our business and on the happy results of our drivers over the longer term.”

First up for the team is the upcoming round of Rotax Pro Tour to be held at Go Kart Club of Victoria at Todd Road where the team will field 30 drivers across the classes.

This year will see an explosion in numbers in the DD2 race category with many of Australia’s top drivers tackling the geared class in both open and Masters. The Praga Dragon DD2 kart was the choice of the recent Rotax World Finals and is one of the very best in the world for the class.

The chassis, was developed by Hart in Italy alongside multi-World Champion Alessandro Manetti, and IPK hopes that this will pay dividends for drivers including Lane Moore, Troy Woolston, Jordan Boys, Josh Crossingham, Danny Wright, Trev Whitby and Brendon Hart (NZ).
With a huge 2014 calendar IPK and its retail partners gear up for a big year, attending Rotax events, major Junior events, plus State and National titles in both Australia, New Zealand and the Florida Winter Tour in the U.S.

Hart will continue on the program IPK has fostered with strong relationships between drivers and teams between both Australia and New Zealand with greater racing opportunities for drivers from the two countries competing in reciprocal top-level racing events locally and overseas.

“I’m really excited to get on board with IPK and help them continue to grow from their existing strong base that includes some hugely promising and talented drivers in great product” said Hart.

“I’m hoping that my life experiences, race expertise and contacts will help to make a big difference moving forward. The team knows how to have a good time whilst achieving results and I’m looking forward to the move to the Gold Coast after spending such a long time in Europe.”

In February an Aussie team of drivers will take on the Kiwi’s in the annual Trans-Tasman challenge held at the Toyota Manawatu Raceway in Palmerston North. The event has been a highlight for drivers and their teams for the past few years.

The team will return to New Zealand for Rotax Max Challenge rounds including the NZ Nationals on the South Island at Blenheim over Easter April 16-20.

The future is bright for Praga and OK1 with its drivers offered the amazing opportunity to tap into such a high calibre of expertise as offered by Josh. The team has an abundance of young talent and seasoned campaigners lining up on the grid at race events in Australia, New Zealand and increasingly around the world with more drivers competing in international events than ever before.

To become part of the team contact Ken Bensley on 0414 760 965 or via ken@ipkarting.com.au.

Find out about Praga and OK1 karts and where to get them at www.ipkarting.com.au.

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