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Three Aussie Karters To Take On The Europeans In 2007 |
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
Three of Australia’s aspiring motorsport stars will tackle one of the toughest karting series’ in the world, the Rotax Max Euro Challenge, throughout 2007.
The Australian contingent will be made up of current Australian Rotax Champion Hayden McBride, multiple Australian Champion David Sera and rising junior star Luigi Catanese. The trio’s entry in the prestigious series marks the first time more than one Aussie will be competing on the European karting scene for several years.
The trio will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of Tasmanian Ben
George. Since moving to Europe several years ago George has become a
multiple Austrian Champion and last year won the World Rotax Challenge
in the DD2 class.
McBride, who hails from Newcastle, made his debut on the European
karting debut in the Netherlands last year by contesting the final
round of the Dutch Rotax Series at the Bergham Circuit.
The Novocastrian will be supported in his quest throughout the
four-round Euro Challenge by Australian Gillard importer Paul Gallo.
Gillard Racing Karts have been one of the top European manufacturers
for many years and this culminated in the winning of the 2005 World
Championship by Oliver Oakes driving for the Peter de Bruijn Racing
Team.
“Europe is the home of world karting and after getting a feel for the
racing last year I can’t wait to get back over there next month,” said
McBride.
“Over the past few months I don’t think there has been too many days
when I haven’t thought about racing in Europe. I’m really excited about
racing against the best drivers from across the world but without the
support of Paul Gallo of Gillard Karts Australia none of this would be
possible. I can’t thank him enough for his support.
“It’s going to be very tough over there but hopefully I can achieve some good results and fly the Aussie flag high.”
Over the past ten years Melbourne-based Sera has risen the steps of
stardom in Australian karting. After becoming a multiple Australian
junior champion in the late 90’s he has now cemented his place as one
of the elite senior drivers in the country.
The 19-year-old made his international debut in Japan in 2005 when he
defeated some of the best drivers in the Asian region in the Yamaha
Cup. He was the first Australian to win the event in 29 years.
A month later he represented Australian in Malaysia in the World Rotax
Challenge. He was running second until mechanical failure forced him
out of the event. Sera will contest the Euro Challenge aboard an
Australian made Arrow kart.
“Since I raced in Japan and Malaysia my dream has always to been to
race in Europe and this year I’m going to be living out my dream,” said
Sera.
“All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of Drew Price
Engineering, Pioneer Electrics Australia, Highway Tractor Spares and
Russell Symes and Co. All of these companies have supported me over the
past few years and I’m looking forward to doing them proud overseas.
“With 65 top level drivers entered for the Euro Series it is going to
be the toughest challenge of my racing career but I can’t wait to get
over to Europe.”
Sera flies out of Australia on March 18 to prepare for the opening round in France on March 21-25.
McBride and Sera will be joined in Europe throughout the year by
Shepparton junior driver Luigi Catanese who will compete in the Junior
Rotax Max category aboard a PCR kart.
Catanese has spent the last few years competing in Junior National
Light and Junior Clubman before trying his hand at the new Junior Max
category last year.
The 15-year-old started his karting career in 2002 racing mainly
throughout Victoria before traveling further to compete in various
state titles across Australia during the past couple of years. In 2006
he claimed a state championship and also finished fifth at the National
Championships in South Australia.
Last December Catanese traveled to Macau as a mechanic for Australian Formula A driver Glenn Powles.
“Macau was a real eye opener for me, it was a great experience and
provided me with an insight into what to expect when I get over to
Europe next month,” said Catanese.
Catanese will fly to Europe on March 15 where he will visit the PCR
factory before completing two days of testing prior to the opening
round of the Euro Challenge. He will be assisted in his European
campaign by well-known karting mechanic Chris Dallianus. Dallinus
crewed for Sera when he contested the World Rotax Challenge in 2005.
The Victorian, who’s motor racing idol is the great Ayrton Senna, is
supported by Varca Brothers and Sons, Visy-board, Mercuri Bros and
Southern Cross Produce.
The four-round Rotax Max Euro Challenge is expected to attract up to
180 drivers across the four categories (Rotax Max Junior, Rotax Max
Senior, Rotax Max Master and Rotax DD2) from 30 nationalities and five
continents.
2007 ROTAX MAX EURO CHALLENGE
Round 1 Salbris, France 21. – 25. March 2007
Round 2 Wackersdorf, Germany 16. – 20. May 2007
Round 3 A1 speedworld, Austria 25. – 29. July 2007
Round 4 Genk, Belgium 26. – 30. Sept. 2007
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