CIK: Dunlop Australian series round three preview

Australia's elite heading to Toowoomba

10 June, 2003 - Toowoomba will be full of Motorsport talent next weekend (June 21/22) when the elite go-karters converge to compete in the third round Dunlop Australian CIK Karting Championship.

With no shortage of local talent throughout the region it will be no surprise to see a Queenslander on top of the podium in one, or more of the four categories.

One of Australia's most experienced karting drivers is Toowoomba's own Richard McLeod.

Competing in the elite Formula A category McLeod has shown a new burst of speed the opening two rounds of this year's Series aboard his Azzurro chassis that is designed and manufactured in Toowoomba.

The Toowoomba driver is currently fourth in the Championship after a great opening round and was on-track to repeat this performance last round until he was hampered by an electrical problem.

"This year has been the best I've had for a while, I've actually had luck on my side so I could finish some races," says the inaugural Formula A Champion.

"I'm enjoying my racing almost as much as I ever had, it's good keeping these young whipper snappers on their toes."

Championship leader, Jason Hryniuk has had a great start to the year earning more points in two rounds aboard his Rainer and Leech CRG kart than he did in the entire season last year.

Other who will be tough to beat in the Formula A class include Matthew Wall and Barclay Holden who sit second and third respectively in the Championship standings.

While McLeod leads the local charge in Formula A there is also several local drivers competing in the other categories including Intercontinental A where Tim Ball and James Mann will be competing.

The local drivers who currently lie inside the top 10 will be trying to use their local track knowledge to halt the dominance of Nick Lowe and Glenn Powles.

Intercontinental C continues to grow in numbers with Andrew Thompson climbing aboard one of the 6-speed 125cc powered machines next weekend. 15-year-old Thompson will be using the category to assist him to further his Motorsport career educating him on gear changes well before he can drive a race car.

Brisbane based driver William Yarwood claimed the victory in the previous round and should once again be one of the front runners against equal Championship leaders, Justin Ruggier and Tyson Pearce.

In the elite Junior class, Junior Intercontinental A New South Wales drivers Paul Laskazeski and Kristian Lindbom have dominated the opening two rounds in their Arrow and Top Karts respectively.

Both drivers have been in great form so far this year but will be pressured again this weekend by Ben McCashney and Ipswich based Ashley Walsh who should show great pace with his local knowledge.

With the exception of Intercontinental C who utilise 125cc 6-speed gearbox karts, all engines are 100cc.

Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 120kmp/h the action at next weekend's round is set to be electrifying.

Qualifying will begin on Saturday morning followed by heat races in the afternoon. Racing will re commence at 10am on Sunday with the final round of heats, Pre-Final followed by the Finals that are expected to begin at approximately 1pm.

The Toowoomba circuit is located at Greer Park Raceway, Snellings Road, Helidon, Queensland.

-acik-