AUSTRALIAN TEAM SET FOR WORLD TITLE TILT THIS WEEKEND

The Kosmic Racing Australia team has landed in Macau

The Kosmic Racing Australia team has landed in Macau in preparation for the World Karting Championship to be held at the Kartodromo de Coloane circuit this weekend.

It is the first time in almost twenty years that a team consisting of both Australian drivers and mechanics has contested the world’s most prestigious karting event.

Leading the charge for the Kosmic Racing Australia team will be 2010 CIK Stars of Karting Series Pro Light (KF1) Champion Cian Fothergill (Gladstone, QLD) and three-time Australian Champion Matthew Waters (Horsley Park, NSW).

After starring on Australian circuits over the past few years, Fothergill made his overseas debut in Japan at the Asia Pacific Championships last November. He believes the experience from last year’s event at Suzuka will assist him this weekend.

“Last year in Japan was a great experience and I think the lessons I learnt there will help me this weekend in Macau,” said Fothergill.

“Realistically, I have deliberately not thought about the weekend too much as I think you get to the point where you’re too nervous; a few other guys in the team are stressing a bit but I’m just cruising.

“Leading up to the event I’ve had some great support from the Gladstone and karting community’s, which has been fantastic, and I hope to do everyone proud this weekend. Also, the support I have received from the Australian Motor Sport Foundation and OMP for the event, and I’m very proud to be a part of their programs.”

“My first goal over there is to qualify inside the top ten, which then puts you inside the top three rows for the heat races. If I can achieve that goal then I would reassess where I will aim for the remainder of the weekend.”

Waters enjoyed success in his maiden event away from Australian shores earlier this year with victory in the CIK Trophy of New Zealand. However, the Sydneysider is fully aware of the magnitude of this weekend’s event.

Kosmic Racing Australia drivers (L-R) Cian Fothergill, Josh Smith and Matthew Waters (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

“I’ve never raced at the level of competition that we’re going to experience this weekend, so it’s going to be a whole new experience,” said Waters.

“I’ve watched a lot of the racing from the track on you tube and also some racing from other events of this level from throughout the year to get an understanding of what the competition is like as well.

“Overall, it will be a great experience to race against the best in the world and hope to do all of my Australian supporters proud.”

Townsville teenager Josh Smith will be Kosmic Racing Australia’s representative in the Asia Pacific KF3 Championship this weekend.

“I’m really excited about racing in the Asia-Pacific championship, to race not only overseas and compete against drivers from around the world but to represent my own country and wave the Aussie flag,” said Smith.

“Racing in the CIK Stars of Karting Series here in Australia has helped me develop my racing significantly over the past couple of years, so to be able to put the skills that I’ve learnt here in Australia into place against some of the world’s best drivers is going to be exciting.

“I will cherish the experience that I will obtain and am very grateful for the opportunity to race in Macau.”

Practice for the event will begin on Thursday and will continue on Friday ahead of racing on Saturday and Sunday.

All of the action will be shown live on the internet across the weekend on www.cikfia.tv

Further information on the event can be found by clicking here.