ProKart January Newsletter, 2010 by Ian McMah

IN THIS ISSUE: “Torque it up“ What a year! Not only was last season one of the most competitive and exciting we’ve ever seen, the year we’ve just embarked on is going to reset the standard for endurance karting in Australia; both on and off the track. By now, ProKart have launched their all new website and it’s a strong statement about the future of the series. You can read more about the new site and some incredible developments in the series on page 10 of this newsletter. On and off track, 2009 was possibly the best season yet for ProKart and its competitors, from a scorching season opener at Oran Park all the way through to the final event at Raleigh during November. The WCR Jets were deserving Champions for both the Australian and NSW championships, completely dominating the state series as did the Adrenalin Rush Karting team in Queensland. Whilst it’s some time since the season finale for 2009, their efforts are lauded within and it’s fair to say if you want to see the pinnacle of endurance racing in this country you need look no further than either of these teams.

COVER STORY: The WCR Jets dominated ProKart competition in 2009 in a way rarely seen in any form of Motorsport. Read about their success as they prepare to defend their NSW and Australian Championship titles in 2010 NEWS ‘TORQUE ABOUT IT’ DRIVER PROFILE: Adam Briggs FEATURE: With Ryan Stott leaving the series, ProKart have employed not one but two managers to assist in taking the series to an all-new level. Meet Brian Jamieson and Gary Emr in their own words... NEWS: There is an unprecedented level of activity behind-the-scenes at ProKart HQ, as the management team of Tony Pullen, Brian Jamieson and Gary Emr consider and research new initiatives designed to make ProKart one of; if not the best karting series in the world. Read all about their current ideas on page 14...

6/7 10

RACE REPORT: Read all about the season finale and how the WCR Jets finished the season with 2 championships and a win record that will remain the benchmark for all other teams in 2010.

HOW TO DESIGN A LIVERY: Ever wanted to design your own livery? Read how the crew at Team5150R found the process, and see the results as they design their 2010 race decals.

On a final note, 2009 brought a few health challenges for me and the support I received from many within the ProKart community again reinforces that this series is not only about onon-track competition. The camaraderie between competitors is one of the more enjoyable aspects of ProKart racing and this was demonstrated to me personally like never before during the second half of this year. Unfortunately for everyone it seems I’ll be around for at least a little while yet... We look forward to seeing you onon-track again in 2010

February 7: Rnd 1, Wollongong NSW February 22: Rnd 1, Cooloola QLD

No materials from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of ProKart

The WCR Jets; 2009 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONS! COMMENT: Winning 5 State rounds (of 9) and 3 of 4 National Rounds, the WCR Jets capped a remarkable year by taking the Australian and NSW Championships in convincing style. Leading all year, the JETS dominated both series as they cemented their place as the leading team in the Australian ProKart Endurance Series. Team Manager Trent Warwick came into the season confident of strong results and knowing that with good preparation (always a strong point for the JETS), good strategy and some luck they had a good opportunity to contend for the 2 championships they planned to contest; NSW and the 4-round Australian Series. It is likely the JETS crowning achievement was a staggering and dominating display at the ProKart 24 hour. This is irrefutably the series ‘showcase’ event and without doubt the most difficult challenge presented to endurance teams in Australia. Essentially leading throughout the 24 hours, the JETS drove their kart to a dominant win, leaving most seasoned experts to remark that even ProKart’s 24 hour event was no longer a test of endurance, it was a full-24-hour sprint race. Supported by Headzone and Sik-FX in 2010, the JETS appeared to have settled on a driving lineup in 2009 but in 2010 have now included the very experienced Kurt White.

The 2010 JETS will be; Trent Warwick Tim Gresham Jason Varley Shona Klein Adrian Lynch Rohan Collibee Kurt White It’s a formidable lineup and one which should place the JETS in a strong position to defend their NSW and National championships. With Adrenalin Rush Karting seemingly committed to contesting the NSW Series in 2010; the JETs will face stiff opposition from the 2009 Queensland champions in addition to a number of teams who have demonstrated onerous speed and strong performances in 2009. IAN MCMAH

TORQUE ABOUT IT •

Rumour has it that Adrenalin Rush may not contest the Queensland Championship in 2010, despite winning this year’s title. It’s expected Alan Denyer’s ARK team will nowcontest the NSW title in 2010, looking to take 2009 champions the WCR Jets head-on in a battle of the 2 best teams of 2009.

•

Team Dynamite have joined the ProKart series, contesting both the NSW and Australian Series in their first year.

•

It’s a boy! Team5150R’s Ian McMah and his wife Katy welcomed their first son, John McMah, in late November. ProKart wishes Ian, Katy and their family all the best as they prepare John for his first karting season in 7 years or so...

•

You’re going to be on TV! For full details,

•

The new WEBSITE is LIVE!

•

With Ryan Stott’s departure from ProKart comes the appointment of not one but 2 people to assist Tony Pullen. Gary Emr and Brian Jamieson have both been appointed to jointly manage the day-to-day operations of ProKart and the Wollongong City Raceway. More information on Gary and Brian can be found on page 10 of this newsletter.

NEWS One of the most accomplished drivers in the ProKart series has left his team of the last few seasons to pursue a drive locally in his home state of Queensland. Glenn Firth has driven with Adrenalin Rush Karting for the past few seasons with tremendous success; multiple race wins, pole positions and very nearly a State Championship. Determined to remain within the ProKart Endurance Series, Glenn has pursued a drive with a Queensland team with the likelihood of ARK moving their ambitions to the NSW series after a successful 2009 Queensland Championship campaign. With a renewed determination to secure championship success, you can be sure Glenn will return to the ProKart series in 2010 with renewed commitment and enthusiasm which - when combined with his renown speed— should lead to further successes through 2010.

http://prokart.racertv.com.au/

DRIVER PROFILE

Favourite Drink:

Ice Cream:

Team:

Colour:

Movie:

Age:

Number:

Race Car:

Name:

Lives:

Adam Briggs

Food:

Career: First racing memory:

First Race attended: First race competed in:

Favourite motoring moment:

First car: Racing Idol:

Favourite tracks (that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve visited): Favourite music? Listen to

Photo: Chris van Rensburg

With Ryan Stott moving on, Tony Pullenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ProKart management team has taken on a new look, a renewed energy and a new direction. The appointment of Brian Jamieson and Gary Emr ushered in another exciting chapter of the ProKart story, one that is sure to take the championship to new highs and ensure the future success and unabated growth of the series. Both Brian and Gary were kind enough to provide an insight into their backgrounds; and this is their story...

Brian Jamieson The son of a stock and station agent, Brian was born and bred in Tamworth NSW and educated at Farrer Agricultural High School. The local car club ran hill climbs once or twice a year, and these could be heard from the Jamieson house, often while a backyard cricket game or BBQ was in progress. A quick dash through a couple of paddocks and Brian and his brothers could be at the side of the track. Literally. About 2 metres (or yards as they were then) from the MGAs and Bs, Triumph TRs, big Healeys, XT Falcon GTs, Cortina GTs, Austin Lancers, EH Holden's and other exotica (?) of the day. This may well have implanted the motor racing bug, but chances are it was well and truly there before this. He moved to Sydney in 1973 when he was 16 to pursue a career in electronics, but within a year was working in computing - an industry he was part of for 35 over years until he joined Prokart in October this year. A brief period in Dubbo allowed Brian to dabble in sprint karts in the late 1980s competing in the local club championship in a National class kart, before returning to Sydney. Other than that brief time, his involvement with motor sport had always been on the "wrong" side of the fence -

but that did include swinging spanners on the Blue Haven Pools Commodore sports sedan for a while in the mid 1980's. He has always been a highly skilled and very knowledgeable "Armchair Expert" on all things automotive (just ask him!). Too many wives and not enough wages meant that it was many years later, at an age when most are hanging up their helmets, before he sat in a racing seat again. he secured a drive with the Kartatak BRM team for the 24 hour race at Wollongong City Raceway in June 2007. Although the team had persistent brake problems from hour 10 to the end of the race and finished well down the order, the seed had been sown for Two Dogs. Within a week of that race (despite the fact he said "never again" while driving home from it) Brian was negotiating the purchase of the Two Dogs #14 kart. 2 months later at Taree, Two Dogs started in their first race. There have been a number of interesting road cars in his life. These range from a Jem (a 2 seater fibreglass coupe about 1 metre high) to things as horrible as a Morris Marina. Other interesting cars include a 1969 Triumph 2.5PI fitted with a stove-hot Leyland 4.4 litre V8 and Supra 5 speed gearbox (it used to eat diffs for lunch), various V8 P6B Rovers, a modified RX4 Mazda (the family car when the children were young), a highly modified Cortina GT (Mk 1). There were also plenty of not-so-interesting cars - Commodores, Magnas, Fords, Datsun/Nissans, Mazdas, even (gasp) a Toyota or 2. A few utes and one tonners, plus a diesel Patrol shorty were thrown into the mix just to keep it interesting. All up 33 different cars have resided in the garage. His current road cars are a Ford Mondeo XR5 Turbo and a Pajero diesel, while the lovely Sue (Mrs Jamieson) drives a Mitsubishi Lancer (complete with 15" alloys and 50 series tyres - she is a demon in traffic). The 7 motorbikes that have passed through his hands were all Japanese and fairly bland, and he is the first to admit he rode them all like an old lady (no that is not how he drives a kart!). One joy for him was always at a mates place at Ourimbah on the NSW central coast. Here was a never ending string of old AJS motorcycles (they are not mere bikes) either restored, being restored, or just lying around in buckets. The bloke who owns them is also known to be

fond of a beer, and as Brian is a social fella, he was always happy to keep him company in that pursuit too. It can be difficult building a gearbox with the beer goggles on (4 reverse gears, that can't be right...)

It would be remiss not to mention his like of boats too. Although currently "between" boats, there have been a few in his life. A 26ft Markline, 30ft Resort and 33ft Savage (all diesel powered flybridge cruisers) have all lived in his wallet at various times. He has also dabbled in a few other activities. His son Neil strapped a big ugly bloke to his back and threw him out of a plane on his 50th birthday (yes it was this century), he has done a little bit of scuba diving (way back when he had hair), has a few broken vertebrae to testify to his skill on a jet ski, and some other activities he is not prepared to admit to in print. He is currently grooming the grandchildren (yes my friends one so young and attractive can have grandchildren) for the endurance races - although at 3 years of age and under, TwoDogs may have to borrow a set of pedal extensions from Shire Racing...

Gary Emr

heavily packed ProKart and WCR events calendar. After 21 years of retail automotive management, including brand experience with Honda, Gary accepted a new challenge and started with Prokart and Wollongong City Raceway late last year (2009). On the racing front, Gary returned to Karting in 2007 at the 24 hour race at Wollongong, one of many parallels between Brian’s and Gary’s stories. Ask Gary and he’ll say they’re like twins, except he’s the younger, better looking one… In early 2008 , Gary met Kevin and team from KBC Racing, competing in the opening round of the ProKart Endurance series at Wollongong and finishing in an exceptional 3rd place. Having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, Gary wanted to continue, suggesting he couldn’t “meet a better group of people” than the team at KBC Racing. Gary continued to race with the team throughout 2008 and 2009, with a few podiums and a plan to continue racing in 2010 alongside his regular ‘day’ job with ProKart. Gary wishes everyone in the ProKart series the best of luck for the coming season.

Gary’s interest in motorsport was triggered through an uncle who competed in hillclimbs. On family visits he would look through magazines and came upon pictures of Allan Moffat’s No.9 Coca Cola Mustang. Badgering his parents until they finally relented, Gary attended his first Oran Park meeting in 1974 (and did not miss many after that , right up to the last round last year ) to watch Moffat race the Mustang in Brut 33 colours. It’s fair to suggest Gary was immediately hooked. To this day, Gary still loves Motorsport in all forms, including but not limited to V8 Supercars, F1 or Sprintcars and especially karting. A dedicated Ford fan (he can often be heard espousing the long held theory that Ford actually stands for “First on race day” ), Gary supports the Blue Oval in whatever series they’re present. Having completed his schooling and being an Apprentice Technician , Gary crewed on Sprintcars and Appendix J racecars , whilst getting some seat time in both. He also raced karts in the late 80’s in Clubman Light ( Ingall was still in karts back in those days! ). The next period of Gary’s life brought things many of us can relate to; wife , children , mortgage and a career, the last 21 years of which Gary has spent in the automotive industry as a General / Service Manager. At one time running a Service / Parts operations at three different locations , across five automotive franchises, Gary is well placed to manage the challenges presented by a

Name: Andrew Mitchell Team: Adrenalin Rush Karting Age: 16 Lives: Telegraph Point NSW 2441 Career: Student, Still At School First racing memory: Would have to be first race in prokarts at oran park, i was so nervous and dint know much about prokarts, didnt reallt understand pit stops for fuel etc. Had me a bit worried

Five second favouritesâ&#x20AC;Ś Drink: Red Fanta is good Colour: Blue Number: 85, my race number Food: Chinese Ice Cream: Magnum Movie: Anything thats funny and has cars in it Race Car: Ford #1 Jamie Whincup

First Race attended: Oran Park 2009 First race competed in: First ever race was in sprint karts, would of been in June 2007. Prokarts was oran park start of 2009. Favourite motoring moment: In prokarts, Probably when I took the checkered flag at ipswich for 1st place. In sprint karts would have to be 2009 Yamahas at Coffs Harbour when i started last in 19th and came through to 5th, probably the best drive ive ever done. First car: Dont have a car yet but want a subaru impreza Racing Idol: Jamie Whincup or Craig Lowndes Favourite tracks (that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve visited): Manning Valley, Raleigh, Gympie and Lismore Favourite music? Hip Hop/R&B Listen to Pretty much everything except heavy metal or old country

• • • • • • • •

SPORTSCAR STYLE BODYWORK HEADLIGHTS TAIL LIGHTS NEW AND IMPROVED MUFFLERS BETTER CHAINS, SPROCKETS AND CLUTCHES IMPROVED DURABILITY INCREASED PERFORMANCE INCREASED PROMOTION

TV coverage

Live internet streaming and an allall-new website

2010 will bring a plethora of developments to the ProKart series, all designed to take ProKart Endurance karting to a level never seen before in Australia; potentially surpassing any karting series in the country for promotion, participation, value, exposure and enjoyment. You will have seen many of these developments listed on the opposing page, however in 2010 ProKart continue to work towards; • • • • •

•

All Race and qualifying sessions streamed lived and in their entirety online New Bodywork Lighting packages for karts Television packages to increase series exposure and promotion New mufflers to increase performance and durability whilst improving sound quality More durable and cost effective clutches, chains and sprockets

Essentially, nearly every aspect of the series has been or will be reviewed, although it is not ProKart’s intention to undertake wholesale changes in the immediate future, as we recognize the series is already well supported, well regulated and competitive. With a new and refcoused management team working alongside Tony Pullen, the first development you’ll see this year is the introduction of an all-new website. Vastly superior to the series site of the past few years and one which will provide the platform for live web-streaming of races and qualifying. The new website is targeted to be online this weekend and can be viewed at http://prokart.racertv.com.au/

Our existing ‘plastics’ do not necessarily present well on Television and ProKart is currently working closely with our broadcast partner to determine suitable options. Rest assured that any significant change will not only be cost effective, but announced well in advance to give each team sufficient time to prepare. One of the exciting opportunities presented by full bodywork is the addition of headlights and tail lights, to enhance the broadcast experience—particularly in low light or at night when traditional bodywork is difficult to see. When this bodywork is introduced it will likely be introduced as an “Elite” class. ProKart are currently investigating and testing a package of measures including new chains and sprockets to compliment a more durable and affordable clutch, different mufflers which are no more expensive than the ones currently in use but are more durable, offer increased performance (reportedly already around 0.5s per lap at Wollongong) and sound dramatically better. None of the above items aside from the Website and live-webcast of qualifying and races have yet been determined; each item is currently under investigation and where relevant is being stringently tested and developed. As exciting as these developments are; most importantly ProKart are aware that changes cannot be introduced in an ad-hoc or poorly timed manner and will keep competitors regularly updated as developments continue. ProKart has never had a brighter or more exciting future!

Given the series will have what essentially amounts to a TV broadcast package online (details of which will be announced shortly), in the mid-term it is likely we will adopt fullbodywork to ensure the karts are readily visible (and your sponsors are gaining appropriate exposure) from each camera angle during the broadcast. 15

Alan and Rose Osborne had a dream of running their ow kart track.

In 2007 this dream became a reality and the family opene the South Burnett Kart Hire facility at 13838 D'Aguilar Highway, Nanango.

The family, better known as the operators of Osbornes Transport, were extremely proud of their new project which has been under development for several years and essentially designed and built by the family.

In April 2009, only a few years after opening, the venue hosted its first ProKart event, with the 850m track provid ing competitors a challenging layout. One of the closest races of the season was appreciated by a strong contingent of local spectators and unprecedented press coverage for the ProKart series in Qld. ProKart was proud to announce that the South Burnett Kart Track was voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Venue of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? for 2009 and wish to congratulate Alan and Rose Osborne on their award. A corner-by-corner review of the circuit follows over the page.

Feel the need for speed? With venues at Port Macquarie and Lismore let ARK Motorsports take care Birthday Parties Bucks’ Parties Schools Sports Graduation Parties Guys Day Out

Corporate Days

Hens’ Parties Girls Day Out Driver Training

The Nanango circuit is challenging and exciting to drive, with barely a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rest throughout the lap. The following pages offer a corner-by-corner illustration of the layout. The tyres that are shown in the attached images are no longer in the same positions; having been relocated prior to ProKartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural meeting in April 2009.

s n n n

Turn 1 (pictured below) The approach to Turn 1 at Nanango is slightly uphill, with the entry being slightly cambered on the inside line. At full throttle across the start/finish line adjacent to the pit area, drivers will be at full speed on turn in, the full circuit width being required to maintain your line and speed on the run down to Turn 2â&#x20AC;Ś

Turn 2 (pictured above) The run down to Turn 2 is very short, with karts still drifting wide as they exit Turn 1; usually still with full throttle applied. The turn-in to Turn 2 is heavily cambered and lead you to believing you can enter the corner faster than you actually canâ&#x20AC;Ś

The view from the outside of Tu 24

urn 2; looking back towards Turn 1 25

Turn 3 (pictured left) The exit of Turn 2 (pictured top left) leads immediately downhill into the braking zone for Turn 3, a right hand hairpin with a tightening exit uphill towards another hairpin at Turn 4. Slightly off-camber, it is easy to lock a brake as you approach Turn 3. This will surely be a high-risk overtaking opportunity, with karts on the braking limit as they enter Turn 3 (pictured below).

The view from the outside the Turn 3 hairpin, looking back to 28

Turn 2 on the right and Turn 4 (a RH hairpin) to the upper left) 29

Turn 4 (pictured below) As you exit the hairpin at Turn 3 you immediately move to the right of the track for the short uphill run into another hairpin at Turn 4. This is the slowest point on the track and will punish incorrect clutch settings. A strong run through turn 3 could see another overtaking opportunity on the inside as karts approach the entry to Turn 4

Turn 5 (pictured above) This is the exit of Turn 4, looking forward towards the kink at Turn 5 and the run into the sequence of corners that make up Turn’s 6, 7 and 8. To the far right you can see Turn 9, as the track snakes back on itself before the run up to Turn 10 and the approach to the front straight. This section is flat and karts that carry good corner speed through Turn 4 should carry that momentum down this back ‘straight’; offering yet another passing opportunity. The approach to Turn 6 is very fast, with karts almost at top speed. 31

Turns 6, 7 & 8 As you pass through the ‘kink’ that is Turn 5, you continue slightly uphill towards the entry to Turn 6; a tricky offcamber double-apex right hand corner. There is a short but hard brake application just prior to turn in and drivers will have to work hard to optimise their line through this complex and not afford their competitors any opportunity to pass on exit, as it is very easy to lose mid-corner grip and speed.

The exit of Nanango’s turn 7, which imm 32

The braking zone for Turn 6 is pictured toptop-left; with the image on the right showing the exit from 7 looking backwards

mediately switches left through Turn 8 33

As you exit the switchback from Turn 8, you immediately h doubledouble-apex left at Turn 9, which varies from off camb This corner tightens on exit and the approach wil 34

head downhill on a gradual left turn before approaching the ber on entry to an opposing camber at the apex of Turn 9. ll provide another passing opportunity under brakes.

Turn 10 The main image on the page is the entry of Turn 10; a relatively straightforward double-apex RH turn with a tightening exit that leads onto the main straight. Pictured below is the exit of Turn 10 leading into the right-left switchback before heading down the main straight. Pitlane entry is located directly to the right in this image. speed.

As you exit the rightright-left combination just after the doubl cross the startstart-finish line to complete the lap. Pole positi around 43.9; set in the early evening. The South Burnett ProKart Endurance series38re

le apex at Turn 10, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on the main straight and flat as you ion in 2009 was a single lap 44.4 and the best race times were t Kart Track is approximately 850m long and the Queensland eturns there in May this year.

The Bell Pipes Racing team have endured a tough learning curve since starting their own team at the start of last year. The team have experienced multiple setbacks from qualifying on the back row of the grid at 3 consecutive races in 2008 to completely writing off a chassis and sending one its drivers to hospital at Raleigh in 2008. However, recently the team has been on the up, and a lot of the increase in speed has to do with a change of chassis.

Given the engine mount drama suffered by the team at both Raleigh and Eastern Creek, team manager Chris MosseRobinson in consultation with Dion and an engineer designed a new engine mounting system. This system is impressive in design and Chris can organise the same setup for any other team that is interested.

Following the work that had been done on the kart, the team was hopeful of a long dreamed of podium at Canberra. Canberra started well for the team with both Bell Pipes and Walkos duelling out one of the most exciting qualifying periods I have been part of.

The new DSR Predator which the team is running is the brain child of long time chassis designer Dion Scott. The karts speed was evident from the first turning of the wheel at Raleigh in June, with Dion managing to put the kart on the front row and proceeding to run nose to tail with the 5150R team for much of the first hour. Raleigh, however was not a fairy tale start for the new chassis as the team suffered an engine mount issue that required an engine change and multiple fuel issues throughout the race and progressively dropped down the order. The team then moved onto Eastern Creek with high hopes as this was a track all of the teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drivers were very familiar with and testing had shown that there was even more speed to be gained out of the new chassis. The team qualified 3rd behind the two super speedy Walkos Shire Racing karts. After a slow get away the team was in a comfortable second for much of the first three hours with a pit stop up on many of the frontrunners. Again this was not to be the teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day as the team experienced clutch problems and the engine mount issue from Raleigh resurfaced.

Bell Pipes crossed the line to take pole by 1 thousandth of a second only for Walkos to cross the line 7 seconds later and take pole by 4 hundredths of a second. It was something right out of a Formula 1 qualifying session. The race started well and after Walkos took an early pit stop the Bell Pipes Racing team took the lead of the race for the first time in their existence. The team was looking good for the first hour, managing to set the fastest lap of the race. This was until once again lady luck showed her dark side with the team breaking a stub axle. The team with help from Horsepower changed the stub axle as quick as possible but the damage had already been done. Just to rub salt in the wounds the team suffered a dropped chain and a moving rear axle. The team was gutted but happy for the eventual winners, the Jets, Horsepower and SPR. The team will continue to dream about that first podium. MATTHEW MOSSE-ROBINSON

Bell Pipes Racing extends relationship with Oz-ebuy.com. The Bell Pipes Racing team are proud to announce that they have extended their relationship with Oz-e-buy.com for at least another season. Oz-e-buy.com is a producer of all forms of promotional items from printed t-shirts, hats, banners, stickers and even wine bottles. A great demonstration of the products available from Oz-e-buy.com is the team shirts proudly worn by the Bell Pipes Racing boys and girls. As part of their participation in the growing sport of Prokart, Oz-e-buy.com will do any team looking for great printed

Did you know… Did you know Tourette Syndrome (TS) affects 1 in 100 boys and 1 in 300 girls? TS is now recognised to be relatively common but under recognised, and a major cause of hidden disability. TS is a Neurological disorder characterised by rapid, repetitive and involuntary muscle movements and vocalisations called “tics”, and often involves behavioural difficulties. Tics tend to come in bursts or "bouts". These periods are called waxing and waning cycles. In essence the brain is over stimulated with an excess of neurotransmitters that bypass the filters in the brain which would normally be used to control one’s movement, thoughts, emotions and actions. TS is NOT degenerative, and people with TS can expect to live a normal life span. It most often begins between the ages of 2 and 21, and lasts throughout life in varying degrees of severity. TS is considered incurable, but treatable. TS symptoms may range from mere aggravation to severe debilitation. The aim of the TSAA is to spread knowledge of what Tourettes is, as well as ask for understanding and acceptance in the community and to undo the social stigma created by misinformation. Recent studies have found that Tourettes affects 1% of the population, where it was once thought to be a rare condition. This is not due to any increase of TS but to the fact more people are being recognised and diagnosed as having TS. Many medical professionals still know very little about TS. Correct diagnosis is important to children with TS so they can access the right management strategies to help them reach their full potential in life. TSAA offers telephone and email support, as well as resource materials to assist families, doctors and educators. Educators do not need to be experts, but a certain level of familiarity with the most common difficulties is essential, so as part of our Education Awareness Program we are offering every school in Australia a FREE DVD called ’What is Tourette Syndrome?.’ Contact TSAA and one will be sent FREE! We have a wealth of materials available as well as personal experience with TS. 45

Round 8 of the Queensland series was held at Toowoomba’s Greer Park Raceway on October 3/4. Despite the #86 Kart of Adrenalin Rush Racing away to an early lead, it was the team’s #98 entry that ultimately took victory and with it the Championship lead...

Photography: Julia Petts

RACE REPORT Saying that the # 3 Wollongong City Raceway (WCR) Jets had a dominant year in the 2009 Powered by Honda ProKart Australia National and NSW Endurance Kart Championships would be a rather large understatement.

Bad luck struck the likes of # 27 Resisales Racing, # 14 Two Dogs Racing, # 23 Bells Pipes Racing, # 21 Walkos Shire Racing and fastest qualifiers # 50 Team 5150R and it prevented them from recording a strong result to finish off the year.

Last month for the final round of the Powered by Honda ProKart Australia National, NSW and QLD Championships at Raleigh International Raceway, near Coffs Harbour on the North Coast of NSW, the Wollongong City Raceway Jets took out the winning spoils in the ‘Raleigh 6 Hour’ to wrap up what has been a sensational year.

The ‘Raleigh 6 Hour’ victory secured both the National and NSW Championships for the # 3 Wollongong City Raceway Jets, while a fifth place finish was enough for the # 98 Adrenalin Rush Karting team to clinch the QLD Championship honours.

After qualifying fourth on the grid for the ‘Raleigh 6 Hour’, the Wollongong City Raceway charged their way to the head of the field and battled it out with outgoing National and NSW Champions # 1 Team Kaos for the front running positions up until late in the race and took out victory. The Wollongong City Raceway Jets at the fall of the chequered flag had completed a total of 372 laps around the 1.05km Raleigh International Raceway circuit and defeated # 1 Team Kaos (370 laps) and # 86 Adrenalin Rush Karting (370) in second and third place respectively on the podium. Also finishing on 370 laps was the # 42 Civic Racing and # 98 Adrenalin Rush Karting teams in fourth and fifth place.

Earlier in the race meeting qualifying resulted in QLD Championship contenders # 50 Team 5150R topping the time sheets and that enabled them to start the ‘Raleigh 6 Hour’ from pole position. DANIEL POWELL

The team’s that rounded out the Top 10 finishers for the ‘Raleigh 6 Hour’ was # 51 Team 5150R in sixth place and they were followed home by # 661 PDS Grand Prix, # 9 SAM Racing, # 82 Team SPR and in 10th was an unlucky # 777 Horsepower Racing.

Photography: Ian McMah

Would like to thank the following businesses for their ongoing support...

Next event...

go to www.prokart.com.au for details... 58

Call CURT BOND...

It sounds simple enough... You want your kart to look unique and you may even have a few supporters or sponsors assisting your racing efforts; and you want to repay them by displaying their company colours and/or logo. Whether your motivation is to create a ’team’ look and feel; emulate your favourite race-car paint scheme or reflect your sponsor’s support, developing a livery for a go-kart is not necessarily a simple process.

or preferably Adobe Illustrator; or any other paint program that ideally paints using vector graphics, as these don’t lose their detailed appearance when you enlarge them. In the case of Team5150R, we decided to undertake the entire design process ourselves and used Adobe Photoshop to create the concepts you see on the left, before finalizing our design and developing a version for print in Adobe Illustrator (final version illustrated overleaf). Finalising a design however wasn’t simple.

What base colour do you want? What look and ‘feel’ do you strive for? Who’s opinions do you need to consider? Seeking an all-new look for the 2010 season; Team5150R embarked on a project to design a new livery, which will be complimented by new team suits and uniforms. The most important thing to know if you don’t need to be a graphic artist. In fact, you really don’t need to be able to do anything other than describe what you want from your livery, as any number of specialist companies in Australia can design, print and laminate your decals at a modest cost (printing and laminating (including cutting to size) is usually well under $200 per set; with design fees somewhere around $100 per hour on average. If however you do want to attempt it yourself, to create a finished product a decal printer can use you’ll need either Adobe Photoshop

We needed to consider the team’s supporters and companies we wanted to promote; including ProKart, Timken, South Burnett Kart Hire, PPG, Permatex, Honda, Pennzoil and JP Bookkeeping. We had to speak to each sponsor to determine their preference for ‘base’ colour and then again when we found a design the members of Team5150R all liked. Once the base graphic was designed we had to consider logo placements, and any ‘highlights’ or graphical elements/effects we wanted to include. Finding what works was a matter of trial and error and given no one in the team has any graphic design background, we literally threw ideas around until we found something we liked. This was a lengthy process but one which we believe was worthwhile. Whether it will look good on-track remains to be seen!

Hotshotsâ&#x20AC;Ś 2009 Australian Champions the WCR Jets learn their multiplication tables as Tony Pullen checks their answer on his calculatorâ&#x20AC;Ś Now boys, 3 x 1 is...

Proudly supporting PDS Grand Prix

In our next issue... •

Features: 2010 team lineup and livery unveil

•

Race Previews: Wollongong and Cooloola

•

Driver Profile: Troy Corones

•

All the latest ProKart news and much more…

All submissions welcomed imcmah05@gmail.com 69