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Coordinators Welcome Message 2010 Victorian Country Series click here

18/08/10

Victorian Country Series to hit Hamilton this weekend

Hamilton kart racers are preparing for their biggest meeting of the year when the Hamilton kart club hosts round four of the Victorian Country Series, incorporating the annual handbury Titles, this Sunday.

The club's racing members are gearing up to square off with the some of the best drivers from all across the state on their home turf.

Following rounds at Horsham, Warrnambool and Cobden, every driver has a story of disaster, and a promising one to match.

For Clubman Heavy driver Matthew Crane, it will be a welcome return to the series. After a breakout first podium at Warrnambool, Crane was involved in an unfortunate practice crash in Cobden, resulting in broken ribs. He says 'the awesome fun with great friends' keeps bringing him back to sport. With three rounds remaining in the 2010 series he is searching to achieve his goal of finishing inside the top five.

Series veterans Ron Taylor, Andrew Stubbs and Ken Lampard are set to renew hostilities on track with the likes of Leon Forrest, Glen Henley, Bevan Walker and Co in the Over 40s class. Whilst fierce rivals on track, they value the mateship of their competitors, often reliving their races corner by corner afterwards.

The Benson brothers, Mav and Harley, are another pair of drivers who are keen to improve their series standings at their home round. Mav will again compete in Clubman Light, looking to secure a top five points position, whilst Harley will hope to consolidate his podium position in Junior Performance.

For some it is the lure of competition, for others it is the social side that brings them to the series.

Barry Pech isn't focussing o series points this year, but relishes the opportunity to be involved in 'the strong competition' the series provides in the Clubman Super Heavy class. Paul Hicks on the other hand is having a year off, but still 'likes to come and catch up with everyone', whilst also turning the spanners on various karts. As always, a few local wildcards are set to enter the event, hoping to use their home track knowledge to post a result in cameo appearances.

With competition set to further intensify leading into the back end of the Victorian Country Series, The Handbury Titles kicks off what should be an enthralling run to flag, with events in Ballarat and Portland to follow.

Competitors looking to enter for this weekend's event can lodge their entry online at www.victoriancountryseries.com until 8pm this evening (in order to make the program), or competitors can enter at the track until Sunday 8am.

Read it on the AKA website HERE

ACTION OF PLENTY IN COBDEN FOR COUNTRY SERIES

The South West Kart Club hosted one of the largest events in it's history on the weekend with in excess of 220 kart racers converging on the Cobden Raceway to compete in round three of the Victorian Country Series.

With 20 drivers assembling on the grid it was Melbourne driver Toby Pope who proved too good in the highly competitive Clubman Light category, victory in the final race of the day secured his win.

After a second and fifth in the opening two races Pope battled with fellow Melbourne driver Leigh Nicolaou, Geelong's Tyler McDonald and Hayden Renshaw in the final race before crossing the line first ahead of McDonald. Third place in the final was enough to secure the runner-up spot overall for the J&A Tuning-backed Nicolaou.

Nicolaou went one better in Clubman Heavy where he took the win ahead of Horsham's Remo Luciani and Swan Hill driver Brendan McGinniskin.

Luciani, who has won 50 state and six national championships during his illustrious career, proved to be dominant in the Clubman Over 40's category - as was Melbourne's Michael Griffiths in the 125cc Leopard Heavy class.

Local Warrnambool drivers filled the top two spots on the podium in the 125cc Rotax Heavy class with Corey McCulloch taking the win over Broe Shields. Geelong's Callum Clissold was third.

Mount Gambier's John Dankowski won all three races in the Senior National Pro class to claim the overall victory ahead of Andrew Rae and Bradley Anderson.

In the Junior categories, it was South Australian's Todd Hazelwood and Simon Hodge who took the challenge to Anton De Pasquale and local lad Kyle Rethus during the racing in Junior Clubman.

Hazelwood won all three races throughout the day to claim the overall victory. De Pasquale finished second overall ahead of Rethus.

Hazelwood also enjoyed a strong run in the Junior National Heavy class to finish second being the current Australian Champion Jordan Nicolaou. Melbourne's Teagan Osborne finished third.

Fast femme Brittany Hall continued her strong run of form throughout 2010 with victory in Junior Performance over Mildura driver Luke Burgens from Mildura and Harley Benson.

In the battle of the youngest drivers, the Midgets class for drivers aged between seven and ten years of age, the standout driver was Dylan Hollis who was victorious over South Australian Chase Wooley. Portland youngster David Denboer was third.

Other victories across the day went to Jake Dixon (Rookies), Justin Francis (Junior National Light), Andrew Rae (Senior National Light), Scott Ferguson (Clubman Super Heavy), Dean Foster (Leopard Light) and Shane Wharton (Restricted 125).

Series Co-ordinator, and National President of the AKA, Trevor Crane was delighted with the smooth running of the weekend's event and the large number of visitors to the South West region.

"It was very pleasing to see over 200 entries received for this weekend's event and the South West club have put on a great event," said Crane.

"There was some great racing all throughout the day and I think that all of the visitors to the region have thoroughly enjoyed their time here and many will be back in December for the running of the Victorian Closed State Championships at the venue."

The next round of the series will be hosted by the Hamilton Kart Club on August 22.

21/05/10

Beaton changes speed & Remo heads for Cobden

Article can also be read here

MULTIPLE Australian and Victorian champion Remo Luciani headlines the entries for this weekend's third round of the Victorian Country Series.

With 50 state championships and six national championships to his name, Horsham's Luciani will be one of the drivers to beat at South West Kart Club.

He will contest the clubman heavy class and the clubman over 40 class, with club spokesman Chris Place pleased to welcome the leading driver to the Cobden track.

"We're expecting in excess of 220 karters," Place said.

"A lot are coming to prepare for the Victorian Closed Championships which are at Cobden on the first weekend of December."

Drivers, including more than 30 from South Australia, will battle for honours in 16 classes on Sunday.

South West Kart Club members who Place believes will be strong chances for podium finishes include Luke Walker (junior national heavy), Jarrod Rethus (junior national light), Damian Stevens (clubman light) and Thomas Prascevic (rookies).

The clubman heavy class is expected to be a tussle, with Brendan McGinniskin (Swan Hill), Scott King (Portland) and South West duo Brayden Place and Michael Geist leading chances to claim the round.

In clubman over 40, Horsham's Leon Forrest and South West's Bevan Walker will be tested against Luciani.

Warrnambool's Dale Beaton is the reigning Australian champion in the senior national light category

He has recently turned his focus towards the 125cc leopard light class.

"The leopard class is very much a new challenge for me," he said.

"This weekend will be my fourth race in it.

"Until now I'd been focusing more on my campaign in the senior national class for the Australian championships.

"Now that I've achieved my goal of becoming national champion in that class, it is now time to focus on my next challenge.

"I've got a new Arrow kart which has felt really good during testing last weekend and with Cobden being one of my favourite tracks, I'm really looking forward to the weekend."

Place said the track was in top shape to host practice tomorrow and racing on Sunday.

20/05/2010

CHARGE OF THE KART BRIGADE IN COBDEN THIS WEEKEND

Read this article on the AKA website click here

Three current National Champions will lead the 'charge of the kart brigade' into the South West of Victoria for Round Three of the Victorian Country Series to be hosted by the South West Kart Club in Cobden this weekend.

Warrnambool's Dale Beaton, who is the reigning Australian Champion in the Senior National Light category, is joined on the entry list by fellow National Champions Dean Foster (Leopard Light) and Josh Brooker (Clubman Super Heavy).

After many years of competing in the Senior National category Beaton has recently turned his focus towards the 125cc Leopard Light class, a challenge he is thoroughly looking forward to.

"The Leopard class is very much a new challenge for me, this weekend will be my fourth race in it, until now I'd been focusing more on my campaign in the Senior National class for the Australian Championships," said Beaton, who is supported by Allansford Kart Supplies.

"Now that I've achieved my goal of becoming National Champion in that class it is now time to focus on my next challenge.

"I've got a new Arrow kart which has felt really good during testing last weekend and with Cobden being one of my favourite tracks I'm really looking forward to the weekend ahead."

Some of the local Cobden club members who are expected to figure prominently in this weekend's event include Jack Nolan in the Midgets class, Thomas Prascevic Rookies and Luke Walker, who is generally on the podium in the Junior National Heavy class.

Damien Stevens, who won a State Championship as a youngster has just come back into the sport this year and beginning to find his way near the front of the field.

This weekend's proceedings will not only have competitors battle for the honours in the Country Series but also provide them with valuable track time ahead of the Victorian Closed State Championships to be held at the venue in December.

While entries remain open until Sunday morning there has already been in excess of 180 entries received for this weekend's races across the 16 categories being contested.

Entries are still open until Sunday morning at 8:00 at the circuit.

Blustery weather welcomes kart drivers from across the state

12/04/10

READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Drivers travelling from around the state travelled to the Warrnambool Go Kart Club to race in the second round of the Country Series in blustery conditions on Sunday.

Club representative Sharna Shiells said 16 races were held at the Lake Gillear track with ages groups ranging from midgets to over 40s.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO

"We had a good turn out today with a few hundred people turning up," she said. "People from Adelaide and Mildura travelled down to compete."

Recently back racing after a serious injury in the Formula 500s, Warrnambool's Corey McCullagh said the tough conditions didn't hinder his rotax seavy race win.

"We got down to the track about 7.30am and the weather has been cold or miserable all day, but the racing has been really good," he said.

Clubman super heavy winner Scott Ferguson, of Mildura, said that although the Warrnambool club's track was smaller than normal, the competition was tough.

"Andrew Hayes really gave me a run for my money today, he was very competitive," Ferguson said.

The Country Series is a multi-round event contested at tracks in south-western Victoria including Portland, Cobden, Hamilton, Horsham and Ballarat.

The Warrnambool Go Kart Club hosted the second round of the Country Series in blustery conditions on Sunday, with drivers travelling from all over the state to race.

ROUND 2 - WARRNAMBOOL

press release by Warrnambool Kart Club Kartsport News

VIC Country Series Round 2

Racers from Victoria and South Australia converged on the newly enhanced Warrnambool facilities for Round 2 of the Victorian Country Series on the weekend. The Warrnambool club has worked tirelessly to build a new toilet and shower block while the car park was extended which was welcomed by all who attended.

On a Volunteer side, there was a regular stream of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend. A big thank you to everybody from the stewards to tyre markers that contributed to running the meeting.

Many thanks to the canteen helpers, the people that ran the grid, the scales shed and the judges box, and a special thanks to the Warrnambool Lions Club who had to endure another weekend of extreme weather as flag marshals. On a technical side we were asked to run control fuel. A rumour started that the control fuel had water in it because it was turning white. It was found that the plastic containers were the cause of this.

With the weather proving to be unpredictable, 182 drivers persisted and contested the 16 classes on offer. While the weather for practice on Saturday was mild with sun at times, track conditions were largely dry. Conditions for racing on Sunday were vastly different. It poured rain during Sunday morning's carbie session which left the track damp for most of Heat 1. Heat 2 saw a drying track and overcast conditions, while the final was mostly dry with the exception of the Rookie final where we experienced a brief deluge.

Full results on mylaps.com HERE

8/3/10

ROUND 1 - Wimmera - News articles

5 March 2010 - Kartsport News - New Grid Shelter for Horsham

02/03/2010

VICTORIAN COUNTRY SERIES TO KICK OFF IN HORSHAM THIS WEEKEND

Kart racers from various parts of Victoria and South Australia will be heading to the Wimmera region to compete in the opening round of the 2010 Victorian Country Series at Horsham this weekend.

Over the last few years the series has continually grown with almost 200 competitors travelling to each of the rounds throughout 2009 and series organisers are confident of bigger and better things in 2010.

"It has been encouraging to see the series grow over the past few years and hopefully a strong opening round this weekend in Horsham will set the tone for a good year ahead," said Series Co-ordinator Trevor Crane.

The series caters for a wide variety of competitors from the youngsters in the Midgets category to the more experienced in life, Clubman Over 40s, and everything in between. Making its debut in the series this year is the Junior Performance class that covers the 100cc aircooled/watercooled and 125cc watercooled engines.

For the drivers in the Midgets, Rookies and Junior categories kart racing provides the opportunity for these youngsters the ability to learn a lot about driving techniques and car control well before they are old enough to obtain their road licence.

"Karting is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and I'm delighted to see the strength we have got in the series within the Midgets and Rookies categories," said Crane.

"For these kids the racing is all about having fun and learning a lot along the way, both on and off the race track."

Competitors wishing to enter this weekend's event should visit www.victoriancountryseries.com. Entries are open until 8:00am Sunday.

Practice for this weekend's opening round will be held on Saturday ahead of racing on Sunday.

The Wimmera Kart Club is located on the Henty Highway, 5.5km North of Horsham.

5/3/10

Karts Rev Up for Country Series

Wimmera Mail Times - Story Leigh Rogers Read article here

The 2010 Victorian Country Go Kart series will start in Horsham this weekend.

Co-ordinator Trevor Crane said racers would travel from across Victoria and South Australia to participate in the event.

Mr Crane said the racers would compete in different categories, from midgets to an over 40s section.

"It has been encouraging to see the series grow in the past few years and hopefully a strong opening round this weekend in Horsham will set the tone for a good year ahead," he said.

Mr Crane said the weekend would feature a new class for junior performance with 100cc aircooled or watercooled engines and 125cc watercooled engines.

He said participating in the series was a great chance for junior drivers to develop their skills.

"Karting is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and I'm delighted to see the strength we have got in the series within the midgets and rookies categories," Mr Crane said.

"For these kids the racing is all about having fun and learning a lot along the way, both on and off the race track."

Wimmera Kart Club committee member Mav Cottrell said the club had already received entries from 190 racers.

"That is only the number of racers, and doesn't include pit crew and families," he said.

"All together we are expecting up to 1000 visitors."

Mr Cottrell said anyone interested in go karting was welcome to attend.

"It is free public entry, so come along and have a look," he said.

"The pits are very friendly, so anyone interested in karting can find someone there to talk about getting into karting."

Mr Cottrell said entries were open until 8am on Sunday and could be lodged at www.vic toriancountryseries.com.

He said tomorrow would be a practice day for racers.

The competition starts at 9am on Sunday at the Wimmera Kart Club on the Henty Highway

3/3/10

Vic Country Series - News and Rnd 1 Progressive Entry

press release

For karters who are coming on board for the first time in 2010 a big welcome to the 2010 Series, we sincerely hope you have a great time.

The series is shaping up to be even better than previous years. Last years series was the best ever ran in the past 4 years. It was a huge success with the average entries per round of 185 with the Wimmera receiving 220. The prizes, trophies and free entries totalled just over $21,000.00.

We are looking to give more laps to the drivers as well as retaining the 'on-line' entry system (ENTER ON-LINE www.victoriancountryseries.com). On-line Entries can be viewed on the Country Series website which is updated almost 'daily'. This allows drivers to get an idea on how the classes are forming as well as check to see that your entry has been processed.

We have offered a wide range of classes for the opening round at Wimmera (Horsham) on the 7th of March. Additional and new classes offered include, the new Junior Performance class that cover, 100cc aircooled/watercooled and 125cc watercooled motors. To be eligible drivers must be a "B" Grade licence holders. All classes are offered as 'Light' & Heavy'.

As in previous years those classes that form for the 1st Round of the Series will set the classes for the remainder of the series. This series has built to a very competitive series with drivers from metropolitan Victoria & South Australia as well as country area competitors from both states.

This has further increased the level of competition to now being a PREMIER CLASS of RACING IN VICTORIA.

I would therefore encourage all drivers to make a concerted effort to join us at, Round 1 of the Victoran Country Series, on the Long Weekend in March at the Wimmera Kartway.

Trevor Crane
Victorian Country Series Coordinator

Get your entries in for Round 1 of the 2010 Victorian Country Series - Wimmera Kart Racing Club 7th March, 2010. Entries are open till 8:00am Sunday 7th March

5/3/10 5 March 2010 - Wimmera Mail Times / News Article

THE 2010 Victorian Country Go Kart series will start in Horsham this weekend.