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V8 Stars Launch Countdown To Karting Nationals
Three South Australian V8 Supercar stars launched the countdown to the 2013 Australian National Sprint Kart Championships this morning by going back to where their careers began at the Monarto Karting Complex.
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Erebus Motorsport’s Tim Slade, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport’s Scott Pye and 2011 Bathurst winner Nick Percat got behind the wheel of 125cc racing karts as part of their preparation for this weekend’s Clipsal 500 event on the Adelaide Street Circuit.
For Slade, driving a kart today brought back a lot of memories about the good times he had in the sport of karting.
“As a family we were heavily involved in karting during my younger years. Dad and I travelled all across the country chasing championships – they were some great times,” said Slade.
“A lot of the lessons I learnt back then are what made me into the person I am today, both on and off the track. It’s one big family in the karting world, even now I really enjoy going back to see everyone at the kart track.”
He also remembered how much prestige was on the line at the National Championship where more than 250 competitors converge in the one place to battle for the victory in their respective category.
“The winner is awarded a green number plate, it’s something that every other karter in the country aspires to be able to put on their kart,” added Slade.
“It’s about as prestigious as it gets in Australian karting, it’s events like the Nationals that help you develop yourself even more as a driver and prepares you to handle your nerves, as well as the expectations and pressure.
“It all comes down to one race on the Sunday, it’s all on there line there – not too dissimilar to what Bathurst is like in the V8 Supercar Championship.”
For Pye, who is this weekend making his debut as a full-time driver in the V8 Supercar Championship, it was the first time he had visited the Monarto Karting Complex.
“I raced for many years at the Go-Kart Club of SA’s old track at Oakbank and also at Bolivar and Mount Gambier, but this is my first time at Monarto. It’s a great venue and probably one of the best karting venues I’ve seen in Australia,” said Pye.
“Today was the first time I’d driven a kart since the 2006 South Australian State Championships on my home track in Mount Gambier, where I also won my final karting title. It was great to get back behind the wheel, it makes you remember how much fun karting really is.
“I remember in 2000 when the National Championships came to Mount Gambier, it was huge. Guys like Mark Winterbottom, Steve Owen and Taz Douglas were all there racing and now they’re also in V8 Supercars.”
Australian Karting Association (SA) President Ian Williams says that next month’s National Championships will be the largest karting event seen in South Australia in seven years.
“South Australia last hosted the National Championships in 2006, it sees the best of the best young drivers from all across the country competing,” said Williams.
“Everyone in South Australian karting has been working hard to get everything ready for the event and we’re expecting a huge turnout. The Monarto track is one of the most challenging in the country and I’m looking forward to seeing Australia’s best drivers coming into town.
“It was great to see the V8 guys come out and get back behind the wheel today, I can remember not so long ago that they were all racing against each other in karts, now they’re in V8 Supercars.”
The 51st Australian National Sprint Kart Championships will be held at the Monarto Karting Complex, located just outside of Murray Bridge on March 29-31.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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