Firstly, Rick Bramley's vision has come true, with help from his family and friends, they have held Australias first ever Trophykart event....which BTW was a huge success!
We picked up our new 200RS on friday arvo, and left Adelaide for the racetrack near Renmark.
The kids drove aroung the camp area that night, and I gave it a bit of a check over. I must say I was way more impressed with the quality than I thought I would be....just needed to see them on the track.
The Loveday 4WD park is a great spot, it has all facilities, and a licenced bar with the cheapest beer prices we found in SA. the track they have built is world class design, and as proven showed the trophykarts abilities perfectly.
Saturdays racing had a prologue then 4 heats, all cars in approx 13. What we found was that the 450's lapped the 200's and was probably a bit scary fot the kids. There were a couple of JR1 style karts there which were to operate on a shortened course, so we combined the 200RS and JR1's into their own heat separate from the 450's. My boys (10 and 12) swapped between our 200, and Ricks older JR1 (9hp). The JR1 is pathetically slow (I would highly recommend not to buy one of these), and was easily lapped by the 200's, but more seat time for my boys is always good. What must be mentioned was an imported JR1 of Franc Galadega, not built by TK, but a beutiful kart. It was powered by a 13hp and 10yr old franc really put it to the 200's until the engine seized....really disappointing.
What this has showed though, is that Vern Crawfords AOK's would mix it with the 200RS on the race track which would be great to see (although they will have their own class)
The 450's came out for their heat....they are mindblowing. When you first see a TK you just think of an oversize go-kart, but these things are proper racing machines....way more power than you would think. I reckon the racing was far more impressive than the old stadium days, and very close.
Another concept new to me was 'spotters', you have one for each car communicating to the driver to try and help them win. The radios can also be overidden by event directors so they can talk to all drivers at once if required. I was sceptical of these, and did not use one....but I bought a kit home with me as they proved to be really good.
My kids ran last in the heats all weekend until their last drive, Lachlan 12 managed to get a first place in his last heat, and Brodie 10 got a 2nd in his last. I was very proud. (The JR1 broke a drive belt in the last heat). Our kart has now been washed and checked over...nothing wrong and ready to race again.
When you see kids 10 and 12 yrs old driving like adults, rubbing panels, jumping, controlled slides......its more special than you can imagine!
The only problem now is Reckell wants one, so a 450 is now on order, and we are getting underway some organising of a Griffith track for early next year.
The next Loveday race is scheduled for April, but talk of a come and try day in November was heard.
There are currently 2x 450's and 1 x 200RS demos for sale at present, and 12 more new karts will be arriving shortly.
For all those who have been waiting, you missed a great history making event, and if you still on the fence, jump off and purchase a kart, because these things will be huge in the future.
Talk to Rick 0457 852 787
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