4th September 2014

Birel Kartsport Australia chasing home track success at Ipswich Nationals

Victorian Brad Jenner leads the Rotax Light rankings in his RK Kart ahead of the Nationals this weekend (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Birel Kartsport Australia will be looking to use extensive knowledge of the Ipswich Kart track to help them towards gaining successful results at this year’s Rotax Nationals, with the team’s drivers recently completing testing ahead of the two days of racing.

Rotax Light’s Brad Jenner leads the rankings heading into this weekend’s event and has all but confirmed his place at the 2014 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Valencia, Spain in November. After contesting a recent event at the Ipswich track, Jenner is feeling confident as he prepares to face some of the best Karters in Australia under lights.

“We have spent a lot of time on identifying the right setup for the RK Senior Max Kart for this weekend’s Nationals. The change from day to night is something that I have been working on heavily, and with the great help of the Birel Kartsport Australia team, especially Matt Macken, I’m hoping we can come out on top.”

“I’m really looking forward to competing at my first ever Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, I’m sure the atmosphere is going to be incredible but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself as yet. There is still a big task this weekend at the Nationals, and I’d love nothing more than to bring home a green plate for myself and the whole Birel Kartsport Australia team,” Jenner said.

After the seven rounds of the Rotax Pro Tour, Birel Kartsport Australia’s three Junior Max drivers; Mitch Maddren, Hunter McElrea and Joshua Car are all inside the top ten in the series rankings. With it being the home track for Maddren and McElrea and Car having completed laps at the 1km circuit recently, they are all in contention for delivering successful results in the class that will consist of over 60 entries.

After qualifying on pole position at the last round at Coffs Harbour, DD2 driver James Macken will be looking to carry the speed he has developed in his Birel CRY-30RX Kart over recent rounds. Macken, along with DD2 team mate, Jaxon Evans have worked closely on identifying a strong setup that will look to deliver them a place on the podium after Saturday night’s final.

For Evans, it is just his second event in the DD2 class and with it being on his home track, he will hoping to carry through a wealth of experience gained in his years behind the wheel.

“I’ve driven a lot of laps around Ipswich before right through my Karting career and although it’s only my second race meeting in the Birel DD2 Kart, I am feeling confident that I can adapt fairly quickly. I’ll be looking to make the most of the practice sessions to put me in a good position for qualifying and the races,” Evans said.

Birel Kartsport Australia supported driver, Jye Hopkins is sure to be amongst the front runners in the Junior Max Trophy Class on the back of gaining two podium finishes in the last two rounds of the Pro Tour season.

The 2014 Rotax Nationals take place at Ipswich, QLD from September 4-7.