STARS OF KARTING CHAMPION SET FOR JAPANESE SOJOURN

Victorian Jake Spencer will contest the Asia Pacific Championship at Suzuka in Japan next weekend. (Pic: AF Images/Budd)

Reigning CIK Stars of Karting Series Champion Jake Spencer is getting set for the biggest event of his flourishing karting career, the 2012 CIK-FIA Asia Pacific KF2 Championship to be contested at Suzuka in Japan next weekend (May 18-20).

Spencer, the reigning Pro Light (KF1) Champion, will be competing with the Kosmic factory team at the event courtesy of the prizemoney of $10,000 that he won as a result of being a series champion in 2011.

“I’m still trying to come to the realization that this is all actually happening, to see your name on an entry list for an overseas event, and as the only Aussie on that list, is very much a unique feeling,” said Spencer.

“The last 18 months has just been an amazing experience and I simply can’t wait to get over to Japan and get a taste of some overseas action.

“Without the champions prize of $10,000 towards the trip from the organisers of the CIK Stars of Karting Series I wouldn’t have been able to turn my dream of racing in an overseas event into a reality. Remo Luciani has also been a huge help in getting everything in order.”

While confident heading into the event, the 21 year-old Victorian is realistic about his goals for the challenge that lies ahead of him as he lines up against the best drivers from not only the Asia Pacific region but numerous other parts of the globe.

“It’s a whole new ball game for me. I’m going to a foreign country, on a track I know very little about and against competitors I basically know nothing about,” said Spencer.

“I’ll be going in with both eyes wide open and just trying to do the best that I can do. Cian (Fothergill – 2010 series champion) showed that he could mix it with the best drivers near the front of the field in last year’s event over there, so I feel that there’s no reason why I can’t do the same.”

A total of 30 entries have been received for the Asia Pacific Championships with eight different countries being represented.

Spencer in action during round one of the 2012 CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE at South Australia's Bolivar Raceway (Pic: AF Images/Carruthers)

Australian Karting Association National President Craig Denton believes Spencer’s involvement in next weekend’s event is a continuation of the CIK Stars of Karting Series being able to provide Australian drivers with some great overseas opportunities.

“Since we rejuvenated the CIK series three years ago, it has always been the aim to provide Australian drivers with the opportunity to compete at the highest level karting events in the world, in 2012 we’re certainly starting to see this come to fruition,” said Denton.

“When Jake lines up on the grid in Japan next weekend he’ll not only representing himself but also Australian karting and our elite series. I know he’ll do a great job and have the support of the entire Australian karting community.”

Being contested at the same event will be the opening round of the World Karting Championship with 38 drivers set to line up on the grid. The second leg of the championship is scheduled to be held in Macau in October.