Porsche Carrera Cup driver Michael Patrizi showed that he’s still got what it takes to mix it with the top karting drivers during practice for the Coates Hire Race of Stars.
The former Australian karting champion, who runs the Patrizcorse team, is a part of the 150-strong karting contingent who will be competing on Saturday in the inaugural event at the Xtreme Karting Complex on the Gold Coast.
As a part of the V8 Superfest, the Coates Hire Race of Stars is an invitational karting event where drivers have come from various parts of the country to compete.
After setting the fifth fastest time in the opening practice session, Patrizi encountered a gearbox issue in the second but ended the day full of enthusiasm for Saturday’s action.
“This event is superb. It is great to finally be at a track here in Australia where we can really show off what these karts are capable of,” said Patrizi, who is competing in his first karting event in almost two years.
“The layout is the closest thing to any circuit in Europe and I’m having a ball.
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“Straight out of the box I was fifth fastest, and then had a gearbox issue in the second session. I’m very excited about racing tomorrow.”
With the six-speed 125cc Gearbox karts powering the drivers to speeds in excess of 150 km/h around the 1125-metre circuit, it is arguably the fastest many of the drivers have travelled at in their karting careers.
New Zealand Champion Aaron Marr has joined with the Kosmic Racing Australia team for this weekend’s event before finishing the day eighth fastest.
“The track is a whole lot of fun, it’s a bit narrow but it is really quick and flowing. I think it will produce some good racing tomorrow,” said Marr.
“It is always a great experience to race against the best drivers in Australia, every time I come over here I learn a lot more about kart set-up. When you’re racing against such high quality of drivers, it’s always a great challenge.”
In the Pro classes, it was Jason Pringle (Pro Gearbox-KZ2), Brooke Topp (Pro Light-KF) and Bryce Fullwood (Pro Junior-KFJ), who set the pace.
New South Wales driver Zak Lobko was fastest in the Cadets category while Victorian Jacob Prestipino (Junior National) and local driver Adam Mercer (TaG 125) set the pace in their respective categories.
The action kicks off tomorrow at 8:30am with qualifying, the finals are set to begin at 2:30pm.
