New Zealand’s top female karter, Wellington’s Rianna O’Meara-Hunt, is taking the opportunity afforded by this weekend’s ProKart Series round at Tokoroa to step up to the ultimate category in this country, the 6-speed gearbox-equipped, 125cc powered, KZ2.

Best described as the ‘Sprint Cars’ of the karting world KZ2 karts accelerate, brake and handle like no other (direct drive) kart and – because their drivers are constantly changing gears via a steering column-mounted lever – they require a unique driving-style.

That means that they are not the easiest karts to buy and simply turn up to a meeting and race; hence O’Meara-Hunt’s decision to park up her 125cc Rotax Light class kart this weekend in favour of  a TM-engined Praga KZ2 provided by her team boss/mentor Ryan Urban of Urban Performance.

Because the annual ProKart Series was set up originally just for KZ2 karts O’Meara-Hunt reckoned that a round of it like the penultimate one of the 2021 series at Tokoroa this weekend - would be the best way for her to not just acclimatise herself, but also to get up to speed.

“To date,” she said on Thursday, “I’ve only been out in the KZ2 three times, so yes there are still a lot of things I’ve got to master. In my experience, though, there’s nothing like jumping in at the deep end to quickly hone your skills and – in the case of KZ2 karts and racing them – learning from some of the best in the business.”

In that case in he KZ2 class at Tokoroa that means established stars like KZ2 class points leader Mat Kinsman, current series class runner-up Graeme Smyth, and local KZ2 class pioneer Ryan Grant, as well as up-and-comers like young Aucklanders Joshua Parkinson and Nathan Crang.

As the annual ProKart Series resumes after its annual mid-winter break Regan Hall (Auckland) leads the way in KZ2 Masters while early season standout Tony Walker (Hamilton) maintains a narrow lead in the spec. KZ4 class over a fast closing Jason Lee (Auckland).

The points situation is even closer in the three support classes with just five points separating 125cc Rotax Max Light class leader Clay Osborne (Cambridge) from runner-up Zac Stichbury (Havelock North). Sebastian Manson (Auckland) and Emerson Vincent (Pukekohe) tied for the series points lead of the 125cc Rotax Max Junior category.

Sebastian Manson’s younger brother, Marco, has also had an excellent season so far, heading to Tokoroa with a nine point lead in the Vortex Mini ROK class over fellow hard-charger Cole Turney.

There will be racing action at the Tokoroa track on both days this weekend.

CAPTIONS

Rianna O’Meara-Hunt (#6 + H&S) is making her KZ2 class debut at the fourth round of the 2021 Giltrap Group ProKart Series at Tokoroa this weekend. Other drivers to watch for there include class points leaders Mat Kinsman (#30 KZ2) and brothers Sebastian (#2 125cc Rotax Max Junior) and Marco (#69 Vortex Mini ROK) Manson. Photo credit: Fast Company/Graham Hughes.

RESULTS

2021 Giltrap Group ProKart Series Results after Rnd 3 of 5.

KZ2

Series

1. Mat Kinsman 266 points; 2 Graeme Smyth 262 points; 3. Josh Parkinson 256; 4. Nathan Crang  246; 5. Daniel Bugler 245; 6. Connor Wilson 238/.

KZ2 Masters

Series

1. Regan Hall 276 points; 2. Kevan Storr 263; 3. David Malcolm 259; 4. Tim Loughran 249; 5=. Andrew Hunt & Jeremy Thornton 168.

KZ4

Series

1. Tony Walker 181 points; 2. Jason Lee 177; 3. Garry Cullum 173; 4. Marcus Carlyle 172; 5. Nick Tombleson 170; 6. Gerhard Benadie 165.

125cc Rotax Max Light

Series

1. Clay Osborne 267 points; 2. Zac Stichbury 262; 3. Ashton Grant 253; 4. Darren Walker 244; 5. George Sampson 242; 6. Emily Robb 231.

125 cc Rotax Max Junior

Series

1=. Sebastian Manson & Emerson Vincent  260 points; 3. Jay Urwin 257; 4. Mitchell Sparrow 256; 5. Kiahn Burt 254; 6. Hayden Lines 248.

Vortex Mini ROK

Series

1. Marco Manson 269 points; 2. Cole Turney 261; 3. Miles Baker 257; 4. William Edmondson 254; 5. Riley Boswell 253; 6. Carson Daly 244.

2021 Giltrap Group ProKart Series

Calendar

Rnd 1: Porter Group Park, Hamilton March 13-14

Rnd 2: Century Batteries International Raceway, Rotorua April 17-18

Rnd 3: Apparelmaster Raceway, Te Puke May 15-16

Rnd 4: Stihl Shop Tokoroa Raceway, Tokoroa Aug 14-15

Rnd 5: Porter Group Park Hamilton Sept 18-19

Prepared by FAST COMPANY on behalf of KartSport New Zealand. To find out more about the 2021 Giltrap Group ProKart Series txt Ross MacKay on 021 677 919 or e-mail him at ross@fastcompany.co.nz

Article added: Friday 13 August 2021