AUSTRALIA’S BEST MIGRATE TO MONARTO THIS WEEKEND

South Australian youngster Blake Purdie leading Round One KA12 winner Emerson Harvey (Pic: Coopers Photography)

More than 200 of Australia’s best kart racers will migrate to the Monarto Karting Complex in South Australia this weekend to compete in Round Two of the Australian Kart Championship presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE.

It will be the first time that the international classes of KZ2, KF2 and KF3 will be seen at the venue where the fastest drivers are expected to reach speeds close to 140 km/h around the 1010-metre circuit.

In total, there is eight classes where drivers will be battling for National Championship honours, including the youngsters from 10 years of age in the KA12 class.

It is in this class where the competitors use a 60cc Vortex Mini Rok engine enabling them to reach speeds close to 100 km/h. Third-generation racer Emerson Harvey was victorious in this class at the opening round, however it is the consistency of Jay Hanson that sees him placed on top of the points standings.

Cockatoo Valley teenager Josh Denton (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Greenwith youngster Blake Purdie will start as one of the favourites in his home round this weekend in his Zanardi kart but with 32 drivers lining up on the grid, the competition will be intense.

It will be a case of sibling rivalry the KA1 class, where an IAME KA100 engine powers the drivers, where Pasadena brother and sister, Holly and Luke Marquis along with Victorian brothers Jordan and Leigh Nicolaou will be in action.

In the elite junior class, KF3, local hopes will rest with Cockatoo Valley teenager Josh Denton. Coming off a career-best finish at the opening round, Denton will start as one of the serious contenders on a circuit where he has secured a National and State Championship on over the past two years.

After seeing Holden Kart Team driver Liam McLellan dominate the opening round in the KF2 class, V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney will again be on hand to oversee the team this weekend.

V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney with Holden Kart Team driver Liam McLellan (Pic: Coopers Photography)

A total of 220 entries have been received for the event with practice for the Senior classes being conducted on Friday. Qualifying and the heat races for all classes will be held from 8:30am on Saturday ahead of the finals on Sunday.

The Monarto Karting Complex is located at 3711 Old Princess Highway, approximately 1km towards Murray Bridge from the Monarto Zoo.

Admission for Spectators is free.