Karters race in for meeting

BIRD'S EYE VIEW: KartSport Rotorua will host the first rounds of both the ProKart and Rotax Max Challenge series this weekend at the The Rock FM Raceway (pictured) at Mamaku. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

100+ entry for series' opener

KartSport Rotorua are set to host their biggest event of the year with two major series being held at The Rock FM Raceway near Mamaku.

Round one of the ProKart Series and Rotax Max Challenge - two major series in New Zealand karting - will be held today and tomorrow at the raceway.

Rotorua's Caleb Huston is among the top local drivers taking part and he will race in the Rotax Max Junior category.

The teenager won two titles at the North Island Sprint Kart Championships in Rotorua last year and will be looking to make his mark on the Rotax series this year.

KartSport Rotorua president Norm Dodunski said they had a big field attending the event this weekend.

"It is not quite as big as the North Island champs [last year] but we have 109 entrants which is quite good, it is really good actually."

He explained the difference between the ProKart Series and the Rotax Max Challenge was the type of engines used.

The ProKart Series use 125cc karts equipped with 6-speed gearboxes and the Rotax Max Challenge have 125cc Rotax engines and either direct drive or a 2-speed gearbox.

Dodunski said this was their biggest event of the year and it was free to go up and watch. Qualifying and heats are being held today with pre-finals and finals tomorrow.

Ryan Grant (Auckland) will head the prestigious KZ2 class in the ProKart Series when racing gets underway today.

After being the dominant figure in the class and series since its inception, the Auckland driver took time out last year because of work commitments but is back with the Paffoni team this year.

Grant and his teammate, kart and car ace Graeme Smyth, share favourite status in the KZ2 class heading into this weekend's series opener.

Meanwhile, two new classes, DD2 and DD2 Masters, bring a fresh look and feel to the New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge series, now in its 15th year.

The new classes have been welcomed by karters with at least 15 expected to start the first DD2 class race today and another 15 expected for the first DD2 Masters class race.

Both series have six rounds starting in Rotorua this weekend and finishing in Hamilton in September.

Drivers aged 9 up to adults will be racing at the combined series event this weekend.

- The Rock FM Raceway is located at Off Road New Zealand on Amoore Road, Mamaku.