24th October 2013

Racer takes on the best Champ off to US by invitation - From the Camden Advertiser

New Orleans, here I come: Kart driver Adam Hunter will bid to become the world's best kart racer. Picture: Luke Fuda

KART racer Adam Hunter will soon fly to Louisiana to compete in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in New Orleans.

The Narellan Vale kart racer qualified for the invitation-only world titles, which will take place at NOLA Motorsport Park on November 10-16, by winning this year’s eight-round Australian Rotax Pro series.

The American event is described as the most prestigious championship in the world of karting.

All equipment is provided to drivers to ensure a level playing field to find the world’s best kart driver.

The 35-year-old, who is a co-owner of Camden business Karting World, races a 125cc kart in the Direct Drive 2 Masters class (aged 32 and older).

Hunter, who has been racing karts “on and off” for about 15 years, will line up on the starting grid among the world’s best kart racers in his debut overseas race.

“They take the best three drivers from four classes and I think there are about 70 or 80 in each class,” he said.

“It’s the best drivers from all around the world, so hopefully we can get a good result.

“I don’t know which drivers have qualified from all the different countries but I hope to be competitive with them.

“Some of the Australians who have been going to these titles have been in the top 20 and even as high as fifth and I’ve been competitive with them.”

Hunter was introduced to the sport by his father Rick, who died earlier this year.

He is grateful for the love of racing his father instilled in him.

“My dad got me into karting from the Liverpool Speedway days — he was really successful,” Hunter said.

“He had motorsport in his blood and I followed suit.

“My two brothers raced motorbikes and my dad wanted me to try something he thought was a little bit less dangerous.”

Hunter realises the quality of drivers he will be up against.

It is rumoured that one of the former Formula One drivers Michael or Ralph Schumacher will be competing.

But he’s not going there for a jazz festival, so Hunter will give it his best shot in his individual races and is out to win some points to help the Australians in the team event, regardless of the calibre of driver he will line up against.

“We’re racers, so everyone is going there to try to win it, but it would be great to be in the top 10 in the world,” he said.

“We have a really solid Australian team but you can never underestimate the drivers from the other countries.”