AUSSIE TRIO FLY THE FLAG HIGH IN SPAIN

Jay Kostecki was one of the front runners all weekend in the Mini category. (Pic: FIA/SRO)

Video on demand from Sunday’s karting action here.

Australia’s karting representatives took on young drivers from across the world at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, Spain across the weekend. This prestigious event, held every two years, unites nations and drivers for the world’s largest motorsport festival, featuring 26 disciplines across various categories.

In karting, all competitors raced in identical equipment in the Senior, Junior, and Mini categories, ensuring a level playing field for all participants.

Western Australian driver Jay Kostecki emerged as the top performer among the Australian contingent, securing a sixth-place finish in the Mini Category. Kostecki was a front-runner throughout the weekend, starting the final in fourth position. After losing a few positions off the start, he fought his way back, taking the lead on the penultimate lap. Despite an intense final two laps with multiple position changes, Kostecki finished just shy of a medal in sixth.

Competing in his first overseas race as a Junior driver, Riley Harrison qualified an impressive sixth fastest. Learning with each race, Harrison was on track for a top-ten finish in the final before an unfortunate incident with Portuguese driver Martim Meneses ended his run.

Pip Casabene faced challenges in qualifying due to a wheel hub issue, dropping him to 29th on the grid and requiring a determined fightback all weekend. Despite advancing nearly a dozen positions in each heat, he started the final in 21st. A first-corner incident cut short his final race, preventing him from showing his true potential.

The karting disciplines were won by Lithuanian Markas Silkunas (Senior), Brit Joege Edgar (Junior) and Portugal’s Xavier Lázaro (Mini).

A total of 49,000 spectators attended the FIA Motorsport Games across four venues, with 82 nations represented by 646 athletes.