With just two points separating the top three drivers in the standings, significant focus will be on the elite junior KA2 class at Round Two of the 2025 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship, presented by Castrol in Murray Bridge, South Australia this weekend.
The KA2 category has not only showcased Australian karting’s best young talent over the years but also been a springboard for those who have gone onto other forms of motorsport – including Formula 1 stars Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan.
Following a consistent run throughout the opening round in Melbourne, New South Wales driver Liam Carr leads the chase for the Championship from Queenslanders Hamish Campbell and Cooper Folley.
Carr has enjoyed a stella start to the year that has included a win at the Victorian Kart Championship and Stars of Karting event, momentum that he is hoping to continue this weekend.
“I’ve had a good start to the year and I’m coming into this round with the aim of expanding my lead. Both Hamish and Cooper are really good drivers, so I think they’ll pick up on the track really fast. I think it’s going to be a tough competition – not just from them but also the rest of the field in KA2,” said Carr.
Meanwhile, Campbell is focused on preparation and composure as he builds his Australian Championship campaign while also focusing on representing Australia in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy – Junior in Europe throughout the year.
“I’ve raced at the circuit twice before – 2021 and 2023. Heading into the weekend I just have utter confidence that I can do this. I have a deep confidence, but I’ve been really working on my mindset to give myself the best chance,” said Campbell, who joined the OTK Australia team at the start of 2025.
After winning his maiden round of the Australian Kart Championship in March, Folley is confident entering the weekend’s round.
“It’s a long championship and there’s a long way to go but I feel good after winning the opening round. The Birel kart is very quick, and I think that we should have a lot of pace,” said Folley.
More than 340 drivers are entered across eight classes at the event – including 36 in the KA2 class. Practice will be contested on Friday ahead of qualifying and the heat races on Saturday. The finals will be contested from 11:30am (ACST) on Sunday.
The round is hosted by the Go-Kart Club of SA with the circuit located at 3211 Old Princess Highway, Rocky Gully (approximately 10 minutes from Murray Bridge). Admission is free for spectators.
7plus will broadcast the racing on both Saturday (1pm AEST) and Sunday (12pm AEST) with a dedicated Australian Kart Championship channel available here.
