18/06/2009
Story: Lee Hanatschek
BAM Media, for http://www.karting.net.au

 

Karters Sing The Praises Of Victorian Country Series

 

The Victorian Country Series continues to grow from strength to strength with around 200 entries being received for the opening two rounds of the 2009 Series.

Ahead of this weekend's third round, to be hosted by the South West Kart in Cobden, karting.net.au spoke with some of the regular competitors about why they enjoy racing in the series.

Local Cobden racer Luke Walker, who has been racing karts for two years, believes the Country Series has assisted him to continually improve his experience behind the wheel.

"I like the Victorian country series because of the level of competition. Most people are there to have fun and enjoy racing against others," said Walker.

"I improve my driving by racing against different drivers with more experience than me. I also enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality of the country clubs it is also a good way to meet new people. It is also nice to talk to other drivers and people after the racing."

Walker and his Father both compete in the Victorian Country Series, Walker is currently third in his category and his father placed second in the Clubman Over 40s class.

Melbourne's Travis Millar is joined on the track by his sister Samantha, the pair have both been involved in karting for a number of years and for the past three years have been regular competitors in the Victorian Country Series.

"I've been racing in the Series for three years now and I like the Country Series because we get to race at other tracks that we generally don't race at on our side of town, which also means different people to race against," said Millar.

"I also like the fact that it is only a two day meeting so I don't have to take friday off school since I am doing Year 12 this year and the racing that is produced is also very close."

Second-generation racer Ben Kilsby has been a regular competitor in country Victoria for a number of years and believes the racing continually gets better year after year.

"I like the Victorian Country Series because the rounds are so well organised and the racing is great with good competition, and it's not a load of hours to travel to," said Kilsby.

"I've supported the Series and competed in every round for the past for two years, last year I won by 800 points and this year so far I'm running second in the series by 100 points so its going to be down to the wire over the remaining rounds."

Melbourne's Andrew Petrou has been racing for five years and he believes the Victorian Country Series provides him and his parents a great way to enjoy the sport.

"This is my first year doing a full season of the Country Series and so far I am enjoying it, the Clubs, the running of it and the atmosphere is great," said Petrou.

"I enjoy the different tracks and it is nice exploring other towns. The other good thing about country series is that it is limited practice so it's an even playing field for all competitors.

"Friends told us the country series was really good so I gave it a go. Mum and Dad are limited to the time off work and I'm limited to the time off school as well, and the Country Series being a weekend event is appropriate for us. This gives me the opportunity to compete in a Series of Open Meetings without needing to skip school"

"My Mum and Dad play a very important roll as my pit crew and I would very much consider racing in the Country Series in 2010 pretty much for the same reasons why I'm doing it this year and would highly recommend it to others."

There are more interviews from the karters and their families that will be included in the news reports section for Round 3 after the meeting this weekend!