Red Bull Racing F1 star Ricciardo’s team – managed by former Supercars and Carrera Cup regular, Michael Patrizi – had its best weekend globally since the brand was launched.

Ricciardo Kart took the key categories of KZ2 Gearbox with Troy Loeskow, KA2 Junior with Gold Coaster, Lachlan Hughes, KA1 Senior with recent junior graduate Jace Matthews and X30 with Marc Tulloch.

Loeskow – who races for Ricciardo Kart in Europe as well as Australia – was dominant after getting a great start and although pushed all the way by ACT youngster, Joshua Fife had enough to take the win.

Hughes had been quick throughout the weekend and his heat race efforts was enough to score pole for the final – which he was able to convert.

Both Tulloch and Matthews were undefeated through the weekend, completing a perfect start to their Australian Kart Championships.

Nelson wasn’t the only driver to get his title defence underway with a win with Australian Cadet 9 Champion, Ryan Tomsett beating home Harry Arnett and Marshall Crofts to win the youngest category on show throughout the weekend – with the closest finish – Tomsett winning by mere centimetres.

Kody Garland took his maiden Australian Kart Championship win in the KA3 Senior category, beating home 39 other competitors and standing atop the podium alongside veteran, James Sera and Dean O’Brien.

Rhys Smith won the Cadet 12 category, while New South Welshman Zac Crichton took a narrow win in the hotly contested KA4 Junior category in his JC Kart – edging Victorian CRG pilot, Kai Allen by a small margin.

The Australian Kart Championship, presented by Jayco and Castrol EDGE moves to Geelong in Victoria on the first weekend of April.