Ipswich Back On Track For A Big Year Of karting

25 January 2010

Ipswich to host Rotax Nationals and CIK Stars of Karting round in 2010

After several months of hard work by the Ipswich Kart Club, the premier karting venue in South East Queensland, is back on track for a bumper year in 2010.

Following several hiccups with a new track surface last year, club members worked with Boral to rectify the issues and now has in place a surface that is of a similar quality to that of the Albert Park Formula One circuit in Melbourne.

"The real heroes here are our members," said the Ipswich Kart Club President, John McSpedden.

"The fact that we’re opening so soon is testament to the character of these members, despite the club's adversities last year.

David Sera on his way to the Rotax Light victory
in last year's Rotax Nationals.
(Pic: photowagon.com.au)

"In an era of clubs screaming out for help, and volunteer services becoming impossible to find, it is great to see the IKC is bucking this trend and has the growing support of its members. It is to these members we say, thank you – and keep on bucking!"

Last week it was confirmed by International Karting Distributors, the promoters of the Rotax category of karting in Australia, that the newly resurfaced venue will host the 2010 Rotax Nationals on the first weekend in September (3-5 September).

It will be the third occasion the Ipswich venue has hosted the Rotax Nationals having previously hosted the event in both 2004 and 2007. Providing some confidence for local drivers is the fact that from the four titles that were on offer during those two events, three of them were won by Queensland drivers including Ipswich’s own Scott Auld in 2004.

The Rotax Nationals is one of two major events on the calendar for the Ipswich Kart Club during 2010 with the venue also set to host round two of the CIK Stars of Karting Series on May 7-9. The CIK Stars of Karting Series is the elite level of karting competition in Australia.

The CIK Stars of Karting Series will kick off in Newcastle on March 5-7 and will incorporate championships for the Pro Light (KF1), Pro Gearbox (KZ2) and Pro Junior (KF3) categories.

Competitors in the Pro Light category will use the 125cc IAME KF specification engine, as used in the 2009 championship that was won by Newcastle driver Hayden McBride. The Pro Gearbox drivers will take to the track powered by a six-speed 125cc gearbox machine while the Pro Junior drivers will use a 125cc Vortex KF3 specification engine.