31st July 2023

AUSTRALIAN MAX WALTON FINISHES RUNNER-UP IN FIA KARTING ACADEMY TROPHY

Max Walton finished runner-up in the 2023 FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

Queensland teenager Max Walton has recorded Australia’s best-ever finish in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

While he encountered a challenging time at the final round in Italy last weekend, a pair of podium finishes at the opening two rounds ensured that Walton had amassed enough points to second place in the overall standings behind Spaniard Hugo Marti.

Polish driver Wojciech Woda was victorious in the final round ahead of French female driver Lisa Billard and Lithuanian Markas Silkunas.

After starting the final 17^th, Walton was the big mover in the opening lap to be placed 7^th as the field crossed the line for the first time.  He was then engaged with some intense battles all throughout the 21-lap encounter before greeting the chequered flag 12^th.  A pair of post-race penalties dropped him to 25^th in the final standings.

Walton will now return to Australia where he will be crowned the Australian Champion at the final round of the 2023 Australian Karting Championship in Melbourne on the final weekend in August due to having an unbeatable lead atop of the standings.

The Italian event also doubled as the final round of the European Championship for the OK and OK-Junior categories where Australians Xavier Avramides and Lewis Francis where also competing.

Avramides finished 20^th while Francis crossed the line 14^th after showing great speed early in the weekend by qualifying third fastest and winning a heat race.

For the full results please click here.