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ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

TORQUE IT UP: FROM THE EDITOR We’ve gone pink this issue.. And why not?! With the JETS team of Nicky Laskazeski and Tim Gresham winning the recent 12 hour in Tamworth, it’s about time we featured them not only on our cover, but inside the magazine as well. ProKart are proud to also highlight the cause that this team also promotes at every opportunity and inside this issue you’ll read more about the Australian Breast Cancer Foundation and the exceptional work they do to help Australian women who face the challenges associated with this disease. We’re quickly heading towards the last few rounds of the 2010 season and there are certainly some interesting championship battles in each of the series. It will be interesting to see how those teams in contention for either the Australian, Queensland or New South Wales championships hold up under increasing pressure. A number of teams took the opportunity when competing in the 12 hour at Rockhampton to visit Peter Champion’s Brock Experience, an unparalleled collection of Brock race and road cars in addition to an exceptional amount of apparel, memorabilia, trophies and everything else Brock, HDT, HRT or Team Brock related. It was an exceptional experience to wander through this collection and you can read more and view photographs of this remarkable ‘shrine’ to Brock later this issue. We also delve into the mystery surrounding the “real 05” VK Commodore; dubbed the “last of the big bangers”. This is the car Brock and Perkins took to victory in 1984; the year the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team finished in their famous 11-2 formation after a dominant display at Mount Panorama. Until next time, keep it on the black stuff… Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

TORQUE’N TOUGH •

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Be sure to watch the upcoming V8Supercar endures to cheer on (or otherwise depending on your team preferences!) David Besnard. I’m not sure which contract is more lucrative or water-tight, but David drives for Garry Rogers Motorsport in V8Supercar and Mark Johnson’s PDS Grand Prix in ProKart. DrDamage’s fuel return kits continue to remain popular. Details of the innovative solution to the over-fuelling problem some teams have found in recent events can be found on the ProKart forums at http:// forums.prokart.com.au/ viewtopic.php?t=682

•

With Team5150R’s Joshua Townsend currently in Europe, upon his return the team will likely be the only regular ProKart team of which every fulltime member has lapped the infamous Nordschleiffe circuit in Nurburg, Germany. Team drivers Glenn Firth, Ian McMah and Steve Prokop having already done so in 2009 (see pic on right)

•

ProKart have almost finalized their 2011 calendars for QLD, NSW, VIC and the National Series. Once confirmed the dates should be announced in the not too distant future.

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Several teams have already expressed their interest in the 2011 Victorian ProKart series. With the series also attracting the interest of manufacturers 2011 could be a great year

Nurburgring anyone? Not content with his blisteringly fast ProKart, Team5150R’s Joshua Townsend left Australia a few days after the Tamworth round on a tour of Europe that includes the following; • • •

Belgium F1 GP at Spa Italian F1 GP at Monza Laps at the Nurburgring (see photo below)

He is also visiting (among others); • The Ferrari factory • The Ducati factory • Monaco If you’re interested in living vicariously through Josh and suffering the pain and hardship he’s undoubtedly going through with such an arduous schedule, look him up on Facebook and send him a message of support!

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“A little bit of help or the whole package, RacerSupport will help you enjoy your racing” Brian Jamieson, owner of Two-Dogs racing and long-term ProKart supporter (and employee in recent times) has branched out to start his own venture and is proud to announce the launch of RACERSUPPORT.COM.AU RACERSUPPORT can provide Complete Endurance karting Support Services including;

PARTS SUPPLY KART MAINTENANCE KART STORAGE KART TRANSPORT COMPLETE TEAM MANAGEMENT DRIVER SOURCING DRIVER TRAINING For all enquiries please contact Brian at brian@racersupport.com.au or Phone 0400 999 978

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

2011 National Championship Announcement The Powered by Honda ProKart Australia National Endurance Kart Championship is shaping up to reach new heights after the recent announcement of the 2011 dates. In what will be a first for ProKart Australia, the 2011 National Championship will be a truly National Championship as it is going to see competitors compete in four different states and territories. “We wanted to take our National Championship to a new level next year and we are confident that we have achieved that with the announcement of the four rounds,” stated ProKart Australia owner Tony Pullen. “The National Championship for next year is going to have a mixture of race distances and also new tracks and that is going to provide plenty of challenges and make for an exciting year.” For the first time, the National Championship will venture into Victoria next year. The fourth and final round will be held at one of the state’s finest circuits, Puckapunyal’s Hume International Raceway. “Puckapunyal is regarded as one of the best circuits in the country and we are proud to be taking a round of our National Championship there,” Pullen said. “The feedback from our competitors has been very encouraging and there are many that have already committed to next year’s National Championship. We are confident that number will grow even higher in the coming months.” 2011 National Championship Dates: Round One: ‘Eastern Creek 9 Hour’ February 12 and 13 Eastern Creek International Kart Raceway Round Two: ‘Nanango 24 Hour’ June 12 – 13 South Burnett Kart Track (Nanango, QLD) Round Three: ‘Canberra 12 Hour’ August 6 – 7 Fairbairn Park Kart Track (Canberra, A.C.T) Round Four (Finale): ‘Puckapunyal 9 Hour’ October 15 – 16 Hume International Raceway (Puckapunyal, VIC)

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

RACE REPORT: NATIONALS Round 3: TAMWORTH Round 3 of the Powered by Honda ProKart Australian Endurance Championship series was set to be a showshow -down between the very best teams from NSW and QLD. At the chequered flag however the JETS team of Tim Gresham and Nicky Laskazeski led throughout the event and charged to a dominant win in changeable weather conditions...

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photo by Ian McMah9

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

REPORT:TAMWORTH 12 HouR Jets Motorsport Score Tamworth 12 Hour Spoils: In what was regarded as a sensational drive by the # 1 Jets Motorsport team, the combo of Nicky Laskazeski and Tim Gresham claimed the victory spoils in the inaugural ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ recently at Tamworth’s Oakburn Park Raceway in North Western NSW. After an early hiccup, which resulted in a drive through penalty for Laskazeski, the # 1 Jets Motorsport team were faultless throughout the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’. The ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ was broken in two sections that saw the opening six hours held on Saturday and then the remaining six hours fought out on Sunday. During the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ there was a mixture of wet and dry weather conditions but it didn’t hamper the # 1 Jets Motorsports team on their way to victory lane. For the Jets Motorsport team this was their sixth victory of the year. The ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ was the latest rounds of the Powered by Honda ProKart Australia National, New South Wales and Queensland Endurance Kart Championships. At the fall of the chequered flag the # 1 Jets Motorsport team won by a comfortable margin. The # 777 Horsepower Racing team earned a second place finish and were right in contention for the victory spoils but in the end they weren’t able to match the Jets Motorsport outfit. The battle for the final spot on the podium in the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ turned out to be one of the closet battles of the weekend. Current Queensland Championship pace setters # 661 PDS Grand Prix Racing picked up the position and in the process consolidated their lead in their state championship point standings battle. The # 661 PDS Grand Prix Racing team had to fend of challengers from fellow Queensland Championship runners # 50 Team 5150R who ended up finishing in fourth place. It was a credible drive from the # 50 Team 5150R to finish just off the podium after they battled with a ill handling kart from the previous Queensland Championship round accident at Rockhampton last month.

Photo by Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine Photo by Ian McMah

The # 21 Walkos Racing team showed impressive speed throughout the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ to finish inside the Top 10 and were a bit unlucky not to have finished on the podium, while # 51 Team 5150R had a good result to also finish inside the Top 10. One of the hard luck stories to come out of the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ was the # 66 Team Kaos outfit. The Sydney based team were right up there mixing it with the front runners early on in the race only to suffer some misfortune and consequently drop out of contention and finish down in a disappointing 15th place. The fourth and final round of the National Championship is to be held on Friday, November 12 at Raleigh International Kart Raceway (Coffs Harbour, NSW) for the ‘Coffs Harbour 6 Hour’, while the seventh round of the NSW Championship is to be fought out at Fairbairn Park Kart Track (Canberra, A.C.T) for the ‘Canberra 7 Hour’ on Saturday night, September 12 and the seventh round of the Queensland Championship has been scheduled for Saturday, September 18 at Gympie Gold Raceway (Cooloola, QLD) with the running of the ‘Cooloola 6 Hour’. To find out more about the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ visit the official ProKart Australia website: prokart.racertv.com.au or call the ProKart Australia information hotline: 0425 354 961

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

18 Photos by Anthony Hannam

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine Photo by Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Driver Profile: NICKY LASKAZESKI Team: Jets Motorsport Age: 23 Home Town: West Pennant Hills, Sydney Career: Marketing Manager Marital Status: Single First racing memory: Racing rookies at Eastern Creek First Race attended: One of my brother’s midget races First race competed in: 1996 NSW Speedway dirt titles First car: 2004 Mitshibushi Lancer Racing Idol: Craig Lowndes & my brother Paul they are both so naturally talented & have great personalities on and off the track Favourite tracks: Ipswich QLD & Newcastle NSW (that you’ve visited): Brands Hatch, England & Phillip Island VIC Favourite music? A mix of everything really My Favourite things... Drink: Vitamin Water – The pink one of course! Colour: White Number: 7 Food: Italian Ice Cream: Bubble ‘O’ Bills Hobbies: Touch football, SHOPPNG & hanging out with the girls Movie: The Hangover Race Car: Formula One

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Photo: Chris van Rensburg

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Driver Profile: TIM GRESHAM Team: Jets-Team Pink Age: 57 Career: Contractor Married to: Debbie Race History: Push bikes early 60’s, started in cars late 60’s-Hill climb and circuit. 1972 motor cycles-Mr Motor Cross series, speedway, short circuit, trials riding, gym kharnas. Late 70’s autocross, motor kharnas, rallies. 1980’s-boats, barefoot water-ski drags. Trike racing, quad racing. 1996-Sprint Karts. 2004- Endurance Karts. First car: Road-VW Kombi, Race- Mini Cooper S Racing Idol: Sterling Moss (done some happy laps with him in a Jaguar) Favourite tracks: Silverstone-old circuit, Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb. Favourite music? Vast array depending on moods.

My Favourite things... Drink: TeaTea -Twinning’s of course Colour: Black & White-preferably on a flag Number: Any Food: Baked beans on toast, Fish & Chips Ice Cream: Any Movie: The Italian Job Race Car: 1.1968 BRM P126 F1 Car. Magnificent H16 Engine, 2 flat 8’s on top of each other. Ridiculously heavy to pick up, but fabulous sound. 2. Ford GT-40. 2nd employer had 6. Two Mk1’s-4.3litres, Two Mk2’s-7litres, Two road cars- 1 for his 17yr old daughter. Favourite Road Car- Mercedes SL55 AMG

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Jets Motorsport Jets Motorsport

The winning JETS Motorsport team of Nicky Laskazeski and Tim Gresham once again raced in support the National Breast Cancer Foundation as they stormed to victory at Tamworth in Round 3 of the Australian Endurance Kart championships.

Throughout the ‘Tamworth 12 Hour’ the Jets Motorsport team undertook fundraising in order to hep grow support and awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Nicky Laskazeski, a member of the #1 Jets Motorsport team who won the event was the driving force behind getting the National Breast Cancer Foundation on board. “I was invited by Jets Motorsport to join their team and I thought it’d be a great idea to get the National Breast Cancer Foundation on board and for us to be able to support a worthwhile cause,” Laskazeski enthused. To find out more information about the National Breast Cancer Foundation visit their official website: www.nbcf.org.au

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SPORTS PROGRAM KEY MESSAGES EXERCISE AND BREAST CANCER – REDUCING RISK FACTORS Research has shown that regular exercise plays an important part in decreasing the risk of breast cancer, as part of an active and healthy lifestyle Regular gentle exercise can also assist in the recovery & rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors, who may find they have reduced fitness, increased fatigue and their body has changed after treatment Being fit and active also means improved confidence and wellbeing, as well as being part of a wider social network BREAST CANCER FACTS •Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in Australia. It is estimated that in 2009, 13,698 new cases will be diagnosed in women. New diagnoses are also expected in 106 men •One in 9 women will be diagnosed with the disease by the age of 85 Early detection is currently the best method for reducing deaths from breast cancer ABOUT THE NBCF •The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is the leading community-funded national organisation in Australia raising money for research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. •The NBCF receives no government funding, and is reliant on community fundraising events to fund its research. •Events can be held all year round, but our main fundraising activity is in October, which is internationally recognised as Breast Cancer Month. •Pink Ribbon Day is held on the last Monday of October.

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Under the guise of renting a car and driving Bords; ProKarters Josh Townsend and Bradford McCartney prepare for a heist! Ever seen the movie Bandits?

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Would the “real” 05 PLEAS A quiet debate continues throughout the Australian motorsport community regarding the 2 purported “05” VK Group C Holden Dealer Team Commodores currently on display; one at the Australian Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst, NSW; and another at Champion’s Brock Experience, in Yeppoon near Rockhampton in Queensland. Without prejudice and only be means of speculation, we delve a little into the myths, and perhaps the truth behind which Commodore is the ‘real’ 05...

Photography: Ian McMah

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SE stand up?

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Would the “real” 05 PLEAS Peter Brock himself maintained that the VK Group C “last of the big bangers” Commodore on display at Champions Brock Experience was ’the’ very car he raced to victory in 1984’s James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst. There is however widespread debate as to whether this is correct. Many speculate that the ’real’ 05 Commodore is in fact on display at the Australian Motor Racing Museum in Bathurst, and a great deal of research, photographs and anecdotal accounts have been compiled which seemingly support this theory. Most of the Motorsport Magazine’s in the mid-80’s reported that the Bathurst-winning car was provided to the Bathurst Museum and #25 Commodore was sold and raced in Western Australia.

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SE stand up? Rumour has it that John Harvey says the car that went to WA was the car he raced.. In any event, what appears clear is that both the Marlboro Holden Dealer Team VK Commodores are now on display in Australia in their former glory; albeit both are liveried as “05” and speculation and debate will no doubt continue as to which one is the ‘real’ 05. Ultimately, both cars are housed in fine collections and if you’re a Brock, Harvey or HDT enthusiast,; you should do yourself a favour and visit both the Bathurst Museum and Champions Brock Experience. There are a number of internet forums on this topic; all offering very detailed infor mation and research and some even having comprehensive photographic history of these vehicles. Rather than speculating on what I believe, use your favourite online search engine and you will find enough information to help you draw your own conclusions.

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

INTRODUCING

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

INTRODUCING

Kaizen is japanese for constant improvement, and that's what this new team is endeavouring to achieve. Consisting of father Calvin Gardiner, his 2 sons Tony and Peter along with their close friend Afzal Malik. KAIZEN Racing competed in their first event in a corporate kart at the Wollongong 12 hour in July. After that event, the team finalized the purchase of the ex-Neil thompson prokart F1 chassis (with brand new engines :) ) and intend to complete in the remaining 2010 NSW and Australian championship rounds. Calvin Gardiner is not a new comer to motorsport, starting his career in a RX3 in Street Sedans in the 80's before moving into the 2 litre Group A Class. He has even competed in a few Bathurst 1000 events at Mount Panorama. After this, Calvin moved into Production Cars, competing in Suzuki GTI’s, Toyota Corolla’s, MR2’s and ultimately a Mazda 626, winning his class in the 12 hour at Bathurst and the Bathurst 1000 ( the strange years when they had the 2 litre/production 1000 and the v8 1000's). Calvin was just going to be a mentor to his boys until he got back out on the track and the bug bit again! He will now be competing at most rounds with the team. Tony and Peter grew up trackside watching Calvin race however never had the chance to have a go themselves. After a hire kart session where Tony beat Calvin and Pete got fastest time the boys decided it was finally time to get out there and give it a go for real! Afzal has always had a real passion for motorsport and after a few practise sessions competed in his first enduro with the boys in a corporate kart at the Woolongong 12 hour. Kaizen look forward to some good hard racing while learning and working their way forward to the pointy end of the field! If you see the team at a race meeting, make sure you take the time to say hello to ProKart’s newest competitors!

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Take a tour of

CHAMPIONS BROCK EXPERIENCE

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

To mo domin bly ev

When great on Qu gan d

The Ch for ge

With th Mark Cham and m

Whilst the op man a

ProKart ProKart Magazine

ost of his fans, Peter Brock was really Peter “Perfect”. In a career spanning over 30 years he nated the Australian Motorsport scene and in the process became a household name; arguaven more so than our F1 World Champions Sir Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.

Peter lost his life in 2006; a legend was lost. His memory however is being preserved by his friends and supporters Peter Champion with their “Champions Brock Experience” at Yeppoon ueensland Capricorn Coast. It was at the insistence of Brock himself that Peter Champion bedevelopment of this exhibit.

hampions Brock Experience is a brilliant concept and ensures Peter’s legacy will be preserved enerations to come.

he help of many of Peter’s former colleagues, associates and friends including Harry Firth and Skaife; in addition to a great deal of material donated directly by Peter and Bev Brock, Peter mpion has amassed a collection of Brock race cars, replicas, mementos, trophies, merchanise memorabilia that encompass his entire career.

in Rockhampton for ProKart’s recent 12 hour endurance race, the crew from Team5150R took pportunity to visit Champions Brock Experience and relive their own memories of a truly great and hero to millions; Peter Brock.

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

The range of Mobil sponsored vehicles spanning the period from the 1985 VK through to a replica of the 1997 VS HRT Commodore shared with Mark Skaife at Bathurst in the year of Brockâ€™s retirement from full -time V8Supercar competition.

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine The HDT XU1Repco /F5000 Sports sedan nicknamed “The Beast”. This car was made to test components for GMH’s planned A9X. The full history of this car can be discovered in Harry Friths’ “Torana the Great” book...

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Inside the cockpit of the HDT XU1Repco /F5000 Sports sedan; it’s not hard to see why they called it “the Beast”

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Proudly supported by

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Do You Want to Race in the Prokart Endurance Series? Racer Action can do it for you What You Get: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fully race prepared kart Race staff - Team Manager and pit crew. One set of used tyres for practice, one set of new tyres for the race. Pit complex 3 mtrs by 3 mtrs including lighting, flooring, seating, tea/coffee, chilled water, sports drinks. Race suits, helmets, gloves. Driving tuition available at additional cost Practice day at Wollongong City Raceway (other tracks by negotiation) Pre-event briefing - what to expect. Driving standards, driver etiquette, refuelling, flags, pace cars, pit stops, penalties, disqualification, safety Race briefing as required by event organizer Pre-race briefing - Review organizers race briefing Fully managed race strategy Race monitor in pit - real time position, laps, time/laps to go etc Camera mounted on kart.

Also available at extra cost Promotions package - Sports bag, shirt, cap, framed pic, mousemat, coffee cup. Manage/book airport transfers, hire car, accommodation etc as required

Contact Brian on 0400 999 978 66

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THANK YOU ProKart would like to thank TRACKSA for their support at the Rockhampton Round of the Queensland Series. TRACKSA kindly donated the use of their advance light marshalling system and it was unanimously lauded by participants at the event. Tracksa Light Marshal makes racing safer by eliminating the need for humans on the track. The Tracksa Light Marshal System was first developed in response to a serious accident at a local kart track. Using wireless technology Tracksa has built a system that no longer requires real people to be track side putting their own lives at risk. The system has been designed to be user-friendly and utilises just 3 components:

To find out more visit www.tracksa.com.au 67

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

WOLLONGONG 12 hour: The Killer Report: The Days Before: 8 weeks to go : You would think that eight weeks would be plenty of time to prep a kart and it should have been. I checked the kart over after the rough and tumble of Canberra, ordered all the bits and then charged into a hectic 5 weeks of work. 3 weeks to go: Go to shed and strip kart and clean everything only to discover a badly cracked chassis underneath the engine mount. This now explains the strange feeling in the kart in my last stint in Canberra. All plans are now changed and the kart is fully stripped and sent to my Engineering partner for repairs. The kart comes back 10 days later: 1.5 weeks to go: We get to the shed and start the process of the mid season rebuild. We always p[lanned to give the kart a decent freshen up but we also have some new components in search of that elusive gain that we are chasing. New axle and engine mounts have to be set up, new sprocket carriers, sprockets and chains, new seals and fluids for the brake system, new front steering column, tie rods, king pin bolts, bearings and stub axles after our heavy front end contact in Canberra. Re-install the comms gear which went back to McKays for repair after the PTT button stopped working half way through the last meeting. New clutch springs, valve springs, engine oil, engine crank seal, throttle cables, pulse lines and lots of new bolts. All in all a 14 hour exercise which ending up spreading over a few days. 3 days to go: Shakedown at the Gong and all is well. A little fiddle to get the balance but the kart was quick, stable and doing all the right things. A thorough check and we popped it back in the trailer confident of a good showing at our home venue. 0 days to go; Raceday The Gong has been a bogey track for us. We could have won there a few times but have always managed to have something go wrong.. Practise and the kart still feels good but then with 5 minutes left to go the left hand chain snaps. Could this be our bad luck out of the way before the race starts ? We are hoping so. We only made the last few minutes of Qualy and where happy to be 0.2 off pole even if that was 10th place. Qualifying for the race was incredibly close and if you havenâ€™t seen the times on Mylaps yet you should take the time to do so. That so many teams with lots of different chassis can all be so close is a testament to the structure of the class and a measure of how tight the series now is. Race Start: I have never had more advice on a subject than how to get a good LeMans start. In the end we ignore all of that advise and opt for a very conventional start one engine at a time and go. This rewards us with a jump straight to 4th and with a fast kart underneath we where in P1 for a period for our 5 minutes of fame. Unfortunately at about 1 hour and 30 my second driver got caught up in someone elseâ€™s accident and bent the axle. The Gong hoodoo had returned. Brian from Kaos, in his usual ridiculously helpful way, got our axle straight and we got back out but the carrier and chains where also not well and a few more visits with snapped chains, stripped sprockets etc saw us lose some 80 laps or so.

ProKart ProKart Magazine The race itself was very interesting. Most of the usual front runners had some sort of problem. Bell Pipes did very well to recover from a bent axle early on and contact with Kaos ( which resulted in major kart damage to end their race ) to grab a podium spot. Horsepower had a solid day to grab 4th , CJ Racing stayed out of trouble to grab 5th and local boys Barra Motorsport kept Timâ€™s crew honest grabbing 2nd spot although reported using 2 brand new sets of Dunlops on the way to getting there. Tyre Degredation was a talking point and we certainly experienced more than usual. Our chassis is generally very kind on tyres however the current set up is more aggressive and may have contributed to the degredation. Team SPR and Walko;s must have had some sort of issue because, as suspected, they where fast. SCR got hauled into the pits to repair broken side pods that turned into a lengthy repair and the Jets No 1 kart broke a steering column which also took a while to replace. Congratulations to Jetâ€™s No 39 for showing great consistency and reliability to take the win. Tim is a legend in Prokart land and deserved the win. All in all a memorable race. The new teams did an excellent job of letting the faster guys through. With the times being so close there where lots of interesting moments including for us, coming across trains of 10 karts all fighting for position that you must somehow find a way through. Thank you to everyone for some enjoyable racing even if the result was not the one we where after. Better get back to the shed. Cheers

Killer

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

The FUTURE OF PROKART

ProKart ProKart Magazine 2010 will continue to bring ongoing development across many aspects of our series, all designed to take ProKart Endurance karting to a level never seen before in Australia and potentially surpassing any karting series in the country for promotion, participation, value, exposure and enjoyment. We already have all race and qualifying sessions broadcast live via the internet and shortly this will be available in FULL HD via a satellite link, enabling full resolution images to be streamed via the internet. We also continue to evaluate and develop; • • • • •

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

Given the series will have what essentially amounts to

a TV broadcast package online (details of which will be announced shortly), in the midmid -term it is likely we will adopt fullfull -bodywork to ensure the karts are readily visible (and your sponsors are gaining appropriate exposure) from each camera angle during the broadcast. One of the exciting opportunities presented by full bodywork is the addition of headlights and tail lights, to enhance the broadcast experience— 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. Rest assured all ProKart competitors will receive advance notice with plenty of lead time should a change be implemented. 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. As exciting as these developments are; most importantly ProKart are aware that changes cannot be introduced in an adad-hoc or poorly timed manner and will keep competitors regularly updated as developments continue. ProKart has never had a brighter or more exciting future!

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Call CURT BOND...

ProKart ProKart Magazine

TECH TORQue!: REAR TAIL LIGHTS Simple to Build Kart Light - or Buy it Ready To Go In response to some concerns raised recently about the durability of bicycle lights as kart tail lights and the possibility of being black flagged for a faulty light, Prokarts Brian Jamieson has developed a simple and reliable light suitable for use on karts. It has no moving parts and a battery life proven to be in excess of a week and likely to be much much longer. It consists of a strip of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and a battery. It can be easily enclosed in a hobby box. The LED strips Brian has used can generate red, blue or green light. By combining all three you also get a white light. All components were bought from Jaycar. The photos show how simple the device is. To build your own simply solder the battery leads to the LED strip and plug in a battery. You can then either attach it to your kart as is (series debutant team SCR did the that on their way to 6th place at the opening round of the NSW series) or put it in the enclosure of your choice. It is that simple. If you don't want to build your own, Brian will have ready built lights for sale at race meetings throughout the year, including the first round of the Qld championship in Gympie. Cost will be $20 for the a light with an enclosure, $16 for the bare light and battery cap. A battery is included will all lights. 9 lights are currently on order for various karts and Brian will be experimenting with other applications for them on his TwoDogs kart. Maybe even brake lights??? Although they run successfully on any voltage from 9 volts to 32 volts, they are listed as 12 volt items. This means that if you run a 12 volt battery on your kart (for radios etc) you can provide power to the light directly from that battery. Brian will happily work with you to build a unit specifically for your needs. Watch future newsletters to see when the test light - currently running 24 hours a day 7 days a week - eventually manages to flatten the battery. Brian reckons early May.

Photo by Brian Jamieson

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

RACE REPORT: QUEENSLAND Round 5: ROCKHAMPTON Round 5 of the ProKart Queensland Endurance Championships saw teams venture to Formula K Raceway in Rockhampton, around 600km north of Brisbane. In one of the closest Queensland rounds ever, 4 teams were within 20 seconds of each other after 1111 -hours of endurance racing and any one of them had a chance to win the 1212 -hour event...

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Photography: Ian M7c7Mah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

REPORT: ROCKHAMPTON Headed by ex Former Ford racer Brett Francis, the # 2 BF Racing team romped to victory lane during last weekend’s inaugural ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ at Fitzroy Park Raceway in what turned out to be a thrilling finish. With a driver line up that consisted of Brett Francis, Michael Hutton and Matthew Taylor, the # 2 BF Racing team were able to hold on for the victory despite some dramas during the stages that required a pit stop in the last five minutes. At the fall of the chequered flag of the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’, which doubled as the fifth round of the Powered by Honda ProKart Australia Queensland Endurance Kart Championship, they managed to defeat the # 152 Phantom Racing team in second place, while in third place was the # 27 Resisales Racing team. The Top 3 place getters all finished on the lead lap with a total of 885 laps completed throughout the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ event.

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“Winning certainly wasn’t on our minds heading into the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ but after the good speed we showed in qualifying then we were thinking that we were in with a good shot of a top three finish,” explained BF Racing team owner Brett Francis. “Throughout the race we had good consistent pace and we stayed out of trouble. As the race wore on things fell into place as a number of the front runners dropped out of contention and that put us in with a better chance of winning and that’s what we managed to do.” Francis admitted that the last one hour of the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ was a bit nerve racking. “In the last hour we developed a muffler problem and we had to make a pit stop which consequently resulted in us losing our comfortable lead,” he said. “We needed to make a pit stop in the final five minutes but thankfully that wasn’t enough to deny us of the win and we were able to hold on.” In what was their best result ever in ProKart Australia competition, the # 152 Phantom Racing team came very close to picking up the winning spoils but had to settle for the runner up position. The # 27 Resisales Racing team finished on the podium in third place and it was their strongest performance of this year’s Queensland Championship so far.

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Issue 11: Sept 2010

After qualifying on pole position, # 50 Team 5150R had a tough run throughout the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ but managed to recover to finish in fourth place (882 laps), while their team-mates, # 51 Team 5150R finished back in fifth place (880 laps). Local based # 43 Tracksa Racing placed in sixth, while # 42 Knk Scuderia, # 661 PDS Grand Prix, #101 Frog Racing and Mackay based # 95 Triple S Racing rounded out the Top 10 finishes. Current Queensland Championship leaders # 661 PDS Grand Prix team had a dreadful run and therefore finished in a disappointed eighth place. Another team to suffer dramas were the # 24 KnK Karts team and although they showed good speed were forced to retire with loss of brakes. Despite their dramas, the # 661 PDS Grand Prix team have been able to maintain their leads in the Queensland Championship point standings battle over # 51 and # 50 Team 5150R outfits. Earlier in the event, qualifying for the ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ resulted in # 50 Team 5150R topping the time sheets ahead of # 2 BF Racing and # 661 PDS Grand Prix teams in second and third. The inaugural ‘Rockhampton 12 Hour’ was judged a great success and everyone at ProKart Australia, from the race officials to the teams, said that they are already looking forward to next year should the series return.

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Ian McMah

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Steve Prokop

ProKart ProKart Magazine

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RACE REPORT: NSW Round 5: wollongong

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ProKart ProKart Magazine

Photography: Tony Gard11i1ner

ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

REPORT: WOLLONGONG ‘Team Pink’, aka # 39 Jets Motorsport, came away from last Sunday’s ‘Wollongong 12 Hour’ with the winning spoils in what was an action packed event from start to finish at Wollongong City Raceway. Despite plenty of drama the # 39 Jets Motorsport team enjoyed a faultless run throughout the ‘Wollongong 12 Hour’, which was the fifth round of the Powered by Honda ProKart Australia NSW Endurance Kart Championship, and at the fall of the chequered flag scored a comfortable victory. The team, which was made up of Tim Gresham, Nicky Laskazeski and Jarrod Corney, had a dream run where everything went according to plan and they were very deserving and popular winners. Apart from taking out the ‘Wollongong 12 Hour’, the # 39 Jets Motorsport also raised $400 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. One of the standout drives of the ‘Wollongong 12 Hour’ was the # 80 Barra Motorsport team. Their strong performance rewarded them with a second place finish on the podium behind the victorious # 39 Jets Motorsport team. Third place on the podium was the # 23 Bell Pipes Racing team. The winners of the third round of the NSW Championship were able to stay out of harm’s way and finish with the final spot on the podium.

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The # 777 Horsepower Racing team finished just off the podium in fourth place, while the Top 10 was completed by # 212 CJ Racing, pole sitters # 82 SPR Racing, # 21 Walkos Racing, # 2 SCR, # 59 Chad and Dad Racing and in 10th place was # 1 Jets Motorsport. Throughout the â€˜Wollongong 12 Hourâ€™ there was plenty of action that resulted in a number of the front running contenders, such as # 1 Jets Motorsport, # 66 Team Kaos and # 71 KBC Racing, encounter strife and consequently fall out of winning contention. Qualifying was a very close battle, which resulted in the # 82 Team SPR topping the time sheets, and it saw the Top 10 covered by less than a second.

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Photography: Janette Hartley

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Photography: Tony Gardiner

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Trent to J. Varley: “Jason I told yo J. Varley to Trent: “No problem bo

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Photography: Tony Gardiner

ou at Canberra to Stay off those kerbs as much as you can”

oss, We’RE NOT IN CANBERRA…” Photo: Janette Hartley

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Whatâ€™s wrong with this picture?

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Sprint kart: Dino frame, Yamaha J motor 3rd in senior national at recent NKA state championships (Grant Gaffa), won heat 1 in most recent Saturday Night Series round at Wollongong (James Harrigan). Trolley not included. The kart is direct drive (no clutch). Kart is located in Gymea (Sydney). Can be transported to Qld (and points in between) by negotiation..

Contact Brian at Racer Support 0400 999 978 or brian@racersupport.com.au

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ProKart ProKart Magazine

Issue 11: Sept 2010

Proudly supporting PDS Grand Prix

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In our next issue... •

Features: RacerTV ( finally! No really...)

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Race Reviews: NEWCASTLE, COOLOOLA

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Driver Profile: MARK JOHNSON ( long overdue)

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All the latest ProKart news and much more…

All submissions welcomed imcmah05@gmail.com 1 23