AUS: Stars of Karting newsletter 2009-12-20

MORE DRIVERS GEARING UP FOR CIK STARS OF KARTING SERIES

As the interest in the 2010 CIK Stars of Karting Series continues to develop, a number of top line drivers have indicated that they are gearing up to contest the series next year.

Scheduled to be contested across four rounds - Newcastle, Ipswich, Eastern Creek and Melbourne - the series incorporates championships for the Pro Light(KF1), Pro Gearbox(KZ2) and Pro Junior(KF3) categories.

After getting his first taste of the CIK style of racing during the final round of the championship in October, dual Australian Champion Matthew Waters has got his sights set on being a serious contender in 2010.

Expected to join Waters in the chase for the Pro Light(KF1) championship is Queenslander Shay Mayes. Defending Champion Hayden McBride has also confirmed that he will be contesting the 2010 series and John Grother will be announcing his plans and team-mates in the coming weeks. There are also a number of other 'top line' drivers who will be announced early next month.

Victorian's Jordie Lindstrom and Lee Mitchener are set to be two of the stars in the Pro Gearbox(KZ2) category in next year's series.

Lindstrom, a third generation racer, is excited about the new challenge of tackling the six-speed gearbox category.

"I'm really excited about a full CIK series coming back, it's going to be great," said Lindstrom.

"When I was a kid we all used to idolise the CIK drivers and the series was a spectacle. Everyone wanted to be a part of it, whatever you could do to be a part of it you did -- I remember sitting there at CIK races cleaning Jamie Whincup's wheels and being proud of the fact that I was privileged to clean his wheels.

"The Pro Light and Pro Gearbox categories are both shaping up to be great. There is a good mix of top line drivers set to line up in each of them and I can't wait for the series to start at Newcastle."

The interest in the re-born Pro Junior category continues to grow with rising star Pierce Lehane set to confirm his spot on the grid. The Sydneysider put in an impressive performance at the Rotax Challenge Grand Final in Egypt last weekend and will give the Pro Junior(KF3) championship a real shake up in 2010.

There will be further announcements regarding more competitors in the Pro Junior(KF3) category in the coming days.

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.

Driver's looking to register their interest in the series or purchase a KF specification engine for use in the series should contact Peter Galvin on 0433 042 900.

Running in conjunction with the series will also be a Clubman and Junior National category, where competitors will be vying for the East Coast Title, along with one class chosen by the host club.

-credit: bammedia