Karters crank up action

FILE

Rotorua karters will host the first round of the 2014 Top Half Series which will see the best drivers in the upper North Island competing.

Strong fields in the cadet (6-11 age group) and junior restricted (10-13 age group) divisions have entered for this weekend's event, which includes practice today and racing tomorrow at the Rotorua International KartSport Raceway.

Rotorua Karters secretary Darryl Evans said it was a great event which had attracted drivers from across the country this year.

More than 100 drivers were expected to take part this weekend across all divisions.

They were hosting the North Island Sprint Championships in October and a lot of people wanted to get a good run on the track.

"Some will come from Christchurch and Wellington to have a look at the course," Evans said.

He also said the nationals were coming up at Easter, in Blenheim, and everyone wanted as much time racing as possible.

The top 10 cadet drivers and top 10 junior restricted drivers in the country will be attending the Top Half event this weekend, while other top drivers will also be racing in the higher divisions, Evans said.

It is the first round of four for the 2014 series.

He said anybody who enjoyed watching motorsport would love the event, especially the cadets.

"Some people would say the cadets are the best to watch. You really have to see it to appreciate it," he said.

"The lead will change 10 times in a lap, it is ruthless. They don't have the same fears as a lot of drivers who have had a few crashes."

Evans' two sons Blake, 9, and Logan, 8, will be among the favourites to win the cadets division tomorrow.