(http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/troys-the-boy-for-second/2032609/)
PODIUM FINISH: Bundaberg's Troy Loeskow claimed second place in his inaugural year in the Pro Light (KF) division in the 2013 CIK Stars of Karting Series with Matthew Waters in first and George Gernanis in third. Photo AFIMAGES
BUNDABERG’S Troy Loeskow has finished off an impressive first season in the CIK Stars of Karting Series with his first and second final wins coming in the last round of 2013.
Already heading into the round in third spot, the result saw him climb up the leaderboard to claim second place in the Pro Light category overall for the season.
While Kel Treseder couldn’t do enough to claim a podium spot, he finished the season fourth in the Pro Gearbox, the Bundaberg driver’s season was sweetened when he was awarded the Tires Driver’s Driver of the Year Award, voted the best and fairest driver in the competition by his peers.
The prestigious award is voted on by the drivers in each of the three Pro categories in a 3, 2, 1 format with Treseder receiving 30 votes to finish five votes ahead of John Grother in second and Chris Hays with 20 votes in third.
It is the second time in four years Treseder has won the award; fellow drivers also gave him the nod in the 2010 series, an achievement which isn’t lost on Treseder.
“I’m really honoured and in 2010 and I thought it was a massive achievement,” he said.
“I wasn’t expecting it a second time and it’s a huge accolade to know you have the respect of your peers.”
The achievement was a massive high to end a season which has seen mixed results for Treseder.
“I would have liked to crack a top-three podium finish,” he said.
“But a top-five finish against the best in the country means I’m mixing it with the best.”
For Loeskow his inaugural season went from strength to strength as he finished the final round with his best result.
“I’m pretty happy with my first season and I’ve definitely improved,” he said.
“I started the first final in seventh place and after the first corner I was back to ninth.
“But I knew the kart would get faster as the race went on and I managed to make it to the front and generate a fairly big lead.”
Loeskow and Treseder will now set their sights on the Race of Stars in mid-October, part of the Gold Coast 600.
