It’s Bayley’s WPKA Goldstar Series time again with over 80 karters from around the country heading to Waitara in Taranaki this weekend for the opening round of the 2015/16 series.
A comprehensive revamp last year breathed new life into the country’s longest running regional kart racing series and spokesman Martin Hunt says that the response from competitors and sponsor’s alike was overwhelmingly positive.
Commercial real estate agency Bayleys Commercial is back as the naming rights sponsor and this year Hunt says the WPKA (which stands for the Wellington Provincial Karting Association) has joined forces with the company on its Make A Wish Foundation programme.
Also back as major prize pool sponsors are Supreme Kart Supplies and Engines from New Plymouth, Manawatu Toyota from Palmerston North, and Right Karts and Smeg/Evans European from Auckland.
As part of their package, Tony Kart and Vortex distributor Supreme Kart Supplies and Engines, and Manawatu Toyota are again offering the winners of both the Cadet ROK and Vortex Mini ROK classes entry to a premium karting event in Australia in a Tony Kart.
Two senior class winners, meanwhile, will win Hot Laps with former karter Simon Evans in the Smeg Holden V8 Supertourer.
A comprehensive prize package was one of key factors in breathing new life into the Bayleys series last season.
Another was the focus by the WPKA on providing events which successfully bridged the gap between club days and full-on Island or national sprint championship events.
“The key role of the series,” says Hunt, “is development. To give karters at club level an insight into what it takes to run at a regional level, and in doing that, providing a pathway, if you like, to running at a full Island or National level.”
That ability, in turn, has attracted Rangiora-based kart shop, Mainland Karting, to sign up as a sponsor and offer awards for the most improved driver, the highest scoring female driver, highest scoring South Island competitor, and a driver of the round at each round.
This season’s Bayleys WPKA Goldstar series kicks off in Waitara this weekend with subsequent rounds at Palmerston North in December, Hawke’s Bay in March 2016 and Wellington in early May 2016 then a final season-ending WPKA Championships event back at Waitara in Taranaki in June 2016.
