Karting: Bay's Stichbury qualifies for world grand finals

Zac Stichbury is the first Hawke's Bay karter to qualify for the world Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals. Photo/Warren Buckland

Hawke's Bay karter Zac Stichbury is as humble off the circuit as he is fast on it.

The first Bay driver to represent New Zealand at the world Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, Stichbury earnt his ticket to the November 24-December 1 finals in Conde-Paraiba, Brazil before Sunday's eighth and final round in the New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge Series was raced in Hamilton.

"I had confidence in my kart and myself and I got lucky in the final," Stichbury said as he reflected on Saturday's seventh round in Hamilton which he started with a 14-point lead.

He was referring to his nearest rival in Saturday's final, Aucklander Ashton Grant, being taken out and falling a lap behind. Stichbury qualified on pole in his seven-strong Rotax Light class field on Saturday, won his first heat and finished second in his second before going on to win his pre-final and final.

Despite qualifying for his first taste of international experience on Saturday the Napier Boys' High School Year 12 student raced on Sunday when he again qualified on pole. He finished second in the final.

Qualifying for the Brazil trip was a belated birthday present for Stichbury who turned 17 last Thursday.

"It's pretty cool to have the chance to represent your country. At the same time I'm under no illusion as to how difficult the competition will be as I will be racing vastly more experienced drivers than myself and there could be more than 100 drivers in my class," Stichbury said.

A son of former New Zealand V8 Touring Car driver Ashley Stichbury, who died in 2002, Stichbury only moved from the junior to senior ranks earlier this year. He has certainly made the most of the step up.

Stichbury finished second to eight-time national champion Daniel Kinsman of Auckland at the Rotorua-hosted nationals in April. Among those who finished behind Stichbury were Australian and world Rotax champion Cody Gillis and 2016 Aussie No 2 and then Aussie state champion Harrison Hoey.

In July Stichbury won his class at the New Zealand Schools champs hosted by his Kartsport Hawke's Bay club. He will be one of seven Kiwis in action in Brazil but the only one in his class.

"No Kiwi has ever won my class but there has been a second placing," Stichbury said.

He will have three days of practise and qualifying in Conde-Paraiba before three days of racing. So he will have plenty of time to become familiar with the circuit.

"Identical karts and engines are provided so no one has an advantage. It will come down to the best driver," Stichbury explained.

Competitors from more than 60 countries will be in action in Conde-Paraiba. Drivers can qualify for the grand finals via the national Rotax MAX Challenge of their home country and the international Rotax MAX Challenge.

Stichbury's series began with two rounds in Palmerston North in February and continued with rounds in Tokoroa and Bay of Plenty before the final two rounds in Hamilton.

Stichbury took up karting in 2015. The following year he set a long-term goal of being 1NZ in his class. While he got the 2NZ in Rotorua his latest success is more significant as the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals has become the most prestigious championship in the world of karting.

Since 2016 Stichbury has stated regularly he wants to follow a career path similar to his father who also raced Formula Fords and had two Bathurst campaigns on his CV.

It's fair to say qualifying for Conde-Paraiba is a massive step towards that path. Some respectable finishes in Brazil will enhance his chances more.