The 2024 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship kicks off at the Southern Go Kart Club in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia this weekend.
Presented by Castrol, the event is shaping up to be another sensational start to the year, drawing 375 entries from every state and territory of Australia, along with international racers hailing from New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sweden.
This year’s round marks the 15th time the Southern Go Kart Club's Bolivar Raceway hosts a round of Australia's highest-level karting Championship. The inclusion of international competitors adds a thrilling dimension to the opener for Australia’s most prestigious karting Championship.
From the seasoned campaigners in the KZ2 gearbox class to the youngest contenders in Cadet 9, the championship boasts eight categories, ensuring a weekend filled with action for both racers and spectators alike. Adding an element of unpredictability, a new track layout is set to debut, deviating from the layout featured at the venue since 1993.
In the elite KZ2 category presented by GoPro, all eyes are on reigning champion Sam Dicker of Flatout Karts, who faces formidable opponents in former champions Troy Loeskow and Joshua Fife. The Patrizicorse team, in which Loeskow is joined by Jay Coul, is primed for fierce competition. Western Australian brothers Dylan and Sebastian Guest aim to continue their winning streak after Dylan was victorious in the final round of 2023, while Swedish driver Hampus Varis makes his Australian debut, adding an international flair to the KZ2 battles.
Reigning X30 Champion Jace Matthews, victorious at the venue in 2022, will be out to kickstart his title defence in strong fashion, but former Champion Brad Jenner along with many others will have other ideas.
The KA2 category promises equally intense showdowns where former elite junior champions and round winners include Triple Eight Race Engineering Supercars Driver Broc Feeney, Alpine Formula 1 Reserve Driver Jack Doohan, and current McLaren Formula 1 Driver Oscar Piastri.
This year the likes of Hamish Campbell, Isaac McNeill, Ky Burke, and last year's Cadet 12 Champion Corey Carson are set to face off against a formidable contingent of fast New Zealand drivers. As has come to be expected, the KA2 category guarantees hard-fought, no-fear racing as the young stars battle for the victory.
The TaG 125 field boasting a total of 70 drivers, making it the largest class on the schedule, will be just as intense with any one of more than 20 drivers having the credentials to be seriously considered as the eventual winner.
Practice begins on Thursday afternoon ahead of qualifying Friday. Saturday will see the heat races contested ahead of the finals on Sunday afternoon.