Excitement Builds for Coates Hire Race of Stars
With just days until Pimpama's Xtreme Karting Facility hosts the inaugural Coates Hire Race of Stars as part of the V8 Superfest, excitement is building on the Gold Coast.
More than 150 of Australia and New Zealand’s top kart racers will take to the 1125-metre circuit for the first time on Friday afternoon for practice ahead of racing on Saturday.
Leading the way will be the recently crowned Castrol EDGE Stars of Karting Series Champions Joey Hanssen, Matthew Waters and Liam McLellan in their respective categories.
The trio will also be joined by British driver Darren Burke (Pro Gearbox – KZ2), and New Zealand Champions Aaron Marr (Pro Light – KF) and Callum Hedge (Cadets), in the battle to become the inaugural Champion.
For Hanssen, the 2011 World Cup Champion from the Netherlands, events like the Coates Hire Race of Stars are what he enjoys most about Australia.
“One of the best things I feel for Australia is that it is still very fresh, especially in terms of events. Races like the this and Kalgoorlie (Dash for Cash) are fantastic for the sport,” said Hanssen.
“Special race meetings like this ensure there is always something new on the horizon to look forward to. In Europe, there is one special race meeting a year, and everything else is a championship.”
Hedge, the reigning New Zealand Champion, shares Hanssen’s excitement.
“I’m really looking forward to racing in Australia with the Formula K team, it’s a great opportunity that I will be grabbing with both hands,” said Hedge.
“I have decided to compete in this event rather than defend my North Island Title as I see it as a great challenge against new competitors. I’ll also be driving a new kart, on different tyres to what I’m used to, so it’s going to be a big learning experience.”
In conjunction with the event, there will also be a ProAm race featuring a number of V8 Supercar and V8 Ute drivers. Fresh from a sixth place finish alongside Paul Morris at Sunday’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport’s Scott Pye is eager to climb back in a kart.
“The last time I had a steer in a kart was for a media gig back in Adelaide before Clipsal this year but my last competitive outing was in 2006 when I won the South Australian State Championship,” said Pye.
“I love my karting, it played a very significant part of my career and I really enjoy getting back behind the wheel. It’s always good fun.
“While my main focus is on next weekend’s Gold Coast 600, any time you put the helmet on there is pride on the line and I’m out there to win.”
Pye will be joined in the ProAm event by his LDM teammate Dean Fiore, Wilson Security Racing’s Tim Blanchard and Ash Walsh, Erebus Motorsport’s Maro Engel, Jack Daniel’s Racing’s David Russell and V8 Ute stars Kris Walton, Ryal Harris, Chris Pither and Matt Nolan.
These professional drivers will be paired up with Government representatives, Management from V8 Supercars and the Australian Karting Association, Media personalities and Corporate guests.
Also on hand throughout the afternoon will be Dual World Karting Champion and 2010 V8 Supercar Champion James Courtney and 2005 V8 Supercar Champion Russell Ingall.
Entry to the Race of Stars for spectators is free. Racing will begin at 8:30am on Saturday October 19 before culminating in the finals from 2:30pm.
The Xtreme Karting Facility is located at 540 Pimpama Jacobs Well Road, Pimpama.
V8 Superfest is a month-long celebration of the V8 Supercars on the Gold Coast. Tickets are available to the V8 Supercars event, the ARMOR ALL GOld Coast 600.
