McLean to make competitive karting return

Dunlop Super2 talent Matt McLean will return to his karting roots at this weekend's Australian Kart Championship.

More than 300 competitors will descend Victoria’s Eastern Lions Kart Club on Friday, for round three of the national championship.

McLean established himself as one of Australia's best karters in his formative years, winning on debut in 2015.

He won the Australian Kart Championship in the following season, was runner up in 2017 and claimed the title for a second time in 2018.

The young driver also represented Australia in the World Championships in 2017, where he qualified first.

McLean will line up in the KA3 Senior Class in Victoria this weekend, three years since his last championship event.

"I’m really excited to return back to the Australian Kart Championship after a three-year hiatus,” McLean told Supercars.com.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve driven, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for me to return and will be good for me to gain some extra seat time leading into the next round of Super2.

"It’s awesome to reunite with Arrow Karts considering our successful history together.

"It’s a brand I represented globally, and to be back out there in the category we won multiple state and national championships in certainly brings back some great memories.

"We haven’t made any plans to do any further rounds at this point, but we’ll get through the weekend and asses our options.

"I’m definitely into the idea."

McLean, who also plays bass for Melbourne band The Crookeds, regularly spends time at the kart track coaching young talent. 

Practice will get underway on Friday with qualifying and racing to follow across the weekend.

McLean sits 10th in the Dunlop standings following two top 10 finishes in Perth.

The Melbourne racers 2022 Dunlop campaign will resume in Townsville across July 8-10.