Local drivers gear up for titles

In-form racer David Sera leads the pack during last year’s Rotax nationals.

IPSWICH Kart Club drivers Scott Auld and Tyler Greenbury have extra incentive to impress on their home track at this weekend's Sparco Rotax Nationals.

Apart from being in national title contention, the IKC duo will face one of the world's leading karters in Estonian Mario Vendla.

World class driver Vendla adds international quality to the racing, being runner-up in last year's World Rotax Max Challenge in Egypt.

He will line up aboard an Australian-made Arrow chassis in the Rotax Light category.

With Australia's top racers pushing each other, IKC vice-president Glen Plumb expects a weekend of memorable duels.

“If you drive a Rotax kart, this is the biggest event of the year,'' Plumb said, preparing for today's first practice session, ahead of qualifying on Saturday morning and the finals on Sunday.

“We are pretty excited simply because of the field that we've got.

“We've probably got the best karters in Australia all coming in to do these seven classes.

“The winner of this weekend will be going to Egypt to race in the world Rotax final (later this month).''

Plumb said the Willowbank track was in tip-top condition after being relaid following problems last year.

“The surface is brilliant now,'' he said. “They're going faster out there than they've ever been.''

Auld, 28, is the 2004 Rotax Light national champion.

He last raced at national level in 2007, having since spent more time doing mechanical work and driver training.

He's excited to be back in the driver's seat “on home ground''.

“It's going to be great because there's some drivers from New Zealand and Europe,'' Auld said.

“We're just happy to get back in the race again and do a little bit of testing which has put us in the hunt.

“We're quite pumped up for the weekend.''

Auld fine-tuned for the weekend with a win and third at the recent Cooloola meet on the Sunshine Coast.

“Karting just seems to be growing all the time and that's why I think we've got some international drivers coming over now,'' he said.

“This time of year for Rotax is the biggest event for Australian karting.''

Series leader Greenbury, from Toowoomba, has also enjoyed success in major lead-up meetings this season.

More than 150 entries have been received across seven categories, including three where drivers will be vying for Australian championships. They are Rotax Light, Rotax Heavy and Junior Max Light (13-16 years).

Other classes this weekend include BB2 (two-speed gearbox kart), over 35s, Junior Max Heavy and Rotax Super Heavy.

Ipswich previously hosted the Rotax nationals in 2004 and 2007 with other venues since 2001 being Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle and Geelong.

The Ipswich Kart Club complex is on Champions Way, Willowbank.

Practice is today and tomorrow with qualifying and heats on Saturday and finals on Sunday.

Spectators can watch all the action between 9am and 4pm for free.