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1 August 2008

Vic Golden Power Series

The third round of the Vic Golden Power Series was run at Bendigo a week ago, July 19-20. Day one of the meeting was fine but overcast, but day 2 was wet with showers. Gillards Kyle Bell picked up the Rotax Pro win.

31 July 2008

KZ2 PERFORMANCE SAVES PDB WEEK-END

press release

08 July 2008

Local Knowledge Lifts Grother To Victory

Emerald driver John Grother has used his local knowledge to claim the victory in the Queensland State Karting Championships presented by the Smart City Vocational College at Rockhampton’s Fitzroy Park Raceway this weekend.

Grother, 26, started from pole position for the final of the highly competitive Leopard Light category but was jumped at the start by Gold Coast resident Ryan Sanderson.

Sanderson led the way for the opening section of the race and appeared to have Grother’s measure. However, the local steerer had other ideas and bridged the gap between himself and the race leader by mid race distance was challenging for the race lead.

After pressuring Sanderson for a number of laps Grother found his way into the race lead aboard his European-made Gillard kart just after race distance. From there he showed superior pace to distance himself from the field and record his third state championship victory.

“I’ve done a fair few laps around the Rockhampton track and have been aiming to win this championship for a few years now, to finally do it is a fantastic feeling,” said Grother.

“Over the years I’ve raced against some of the best drivers from across the country but to take them on and beat them on one of my ‘home’ tracks is amazing.

“From the time I hit the circuit for first practice on Wednesday my Gillard kart was right on the pace so it was great to be able to transfer that speed into a victory.”

Above: John Grother crosses the line to win Leopard Light
pic - Ash Budd, www.photowagon.com.au

26 June 2008

PDB on podium in Mariembourg
press release

27 May 2008

Walker Deighted With Super1 Podium
press release

Jonathan Walker was delighted - if a little surprised – to finish 3rd at last Sunday’s (18 May) second round of the British Super 1 kart Championship.

The Gillard driver had put in a storming drive in the second of the day’s two finals to finish in 4th place - but Richard Bradley’s disqualification from 2nd place moved him into a trophy-winning position.

“I couldn’t ask for any more really” Walker said, reflecting on the fact that he’d previously stated that he needed a podium to kickstart his title ambitions, after a disastrous first round of the UK’s premier karting Championship - “Beforehand I did say: ‘If I’m not in the top 3 in the Finals, it’ll be a disaster’.”

His day didn’t start quite to plan. After starting from 6th on the grid, he’d got up to 4th place when on the last lap, his chain snapped putting him out on the spot.

Things started to improve in the 2nd heat, when he took he took an excellent 5th after driving from the back of the field.

In the tough first Final, Jonathan was involved in battles with three drivers – first with Nick Yelloly and later with Elliott Burton and Sam Tordoff. At the finish, he crossed the line barely a tenth of a second ahead of Tordoff, but behind just Burton.

“Considering I had a puncture for three quarters of the race, 8th wasn’t bad” he said dryly.

With his AMT team making changes to his kart’s set-up, Walker knew that he needed to produce something special in the second points-scoring race - “In the first final I didn’t have enough ‘waff’. I needed the sort of speed I’d had in the two heats -when I’d been second quickest in the first one, and fastest in the second.”

Whatever his mechanics Ashley and Kevin did, it worked. In the second final, Walker was in storming form. Overtaking two karts in the first corner, Jonathan earned the praise of watching 2005 World Kart Champion, Oliver Oakes for his aggressive start.

Now in 5th, Jonny momentarily dropped to 6th before (reigning British Champion) Chris Rogers’ exit with a seized motor put him back into 5th spot.

After losing three places in one move, former race-leader Mark Litchfield now found himself under attack from Walker.

With three corners to go of the last lap, Jonathan pulled off a superb move to wrest 4th place from Litchfield - “I tapped Mark wide going into Fletcher’s (corner). He’d braked hard and I just ran into the back of him. It wasn’t intentional.” He said afterwards, unaware that the drama wasn’t yet over.

During post race checks, Bradley was excluded from 2nd-place for an error on his scrutineering card.

Promoted to 3rd, Jonny has also moved into Championship contention and is now lying in 6th place overall - just 31 points off the lead.

With 50 points awarded for a win, he’s confident that he can build on his PFi podium -“We head up to Rowrah for the next round and the last time I was there, I was fighting for the win. It’s game-on now.”

23 May 2008

Championship Begins for Walker

press release

Jonathan Walker is hoping for a turn around in his fortunes at PFi, in the second round of the British Super 1 kart Championship this weekend.

The AMT driver admits that the Lincolnshire circuit is one of the toughest to get a result at - but is aiming for a podium nevertheless.
And he has reason to be confident, as last year he finished in a well-deserved 2nd place to 3-time British Champion, Mark Litchfield.

“PF’s one of the hardest tracks on the calendar because everyone tests there and they go well in the racing as a result. I tested there recently and was bang on the pace - one of the quickest on the day – so I think if I’m not in the top 3 in the Finals, it’ll be a disaster.”

“The first round (at Wigan, Lancashire on 13 April) didn’t go to plan” the 19-year old conceded. “I crashed in practice and injured my wrist. Driving the kart was then very difficult and painful. I crashed in the second final which forced me to retire from the race - so my Championship starts this weekend.”

“I’m looking forward to the weekend and want to put everything straight.”

14 May 2008

VACC ALL STAR VICTORY

Hayden McBRIDE won the second round of the Formula 100 Titan Series at VACC Park (Todd Road) last weekend. McBRIDE driving a Gillard drove away from the field. He put down a best time of 40.527 to win the final by 0.6.

Gillard's Kyle BELL completed a great weekend finishing 3rd in Rotax Light after s 6 year spell from VACC park.

25 October 2007

Connell's Canberra Cup Win

Joining the likes of current Australian Motorsport icons and former Canberra Cup winners Mark Webber and Mark Winterbottom, youngster Geoff Connell claimed the winning honours in the annual Canberra Cup last Sunday (October 21) in what was the biggest win of his Go Karting career thus far.

In what was only his second appearance in the senior ranks, Connell was the dominant figure in the Rotax Light class aboard his # 41 Gillard kart, in a 20 kart field that included past Canberra Cup winners Paul Hamilton and Rob Amess, when he claimed two heat race wins and a second place finish in the final. It was the consistency of Connell that handed him the top honours in the Canberra Cup, and this result has certainly opened up a few eyes.

“To be honest I never headed into the Canberra Cup event looking for a victory, but to come out and achieve success was very pleasing, especially considering the tough competition I was up against,” Connell said.

“Without a doubt to take out the Canberra Cup and have my name on the same trophy as past winners Mark Webber and Mark Winterbottom is something that means a lot to the entire Connell family and me.”

Connell started the Canberra Cup in the best of fashion by romping to victory in the opening heat race and he did likewise in the second and final heat race after starting deep in the field. Heading into the final Connell was the highest point scorer and quickly moved into the lead and led the opening five laps before a mistake, a brake lock up entering a corner, saw him run off the track and Paul Hamilton take the lead. Despite running off the circuit, Connell was able to rejoin the race in second place and that was where he finished, which was enough for him to take the overall honours in the Canberra Cup.

Special thanks must go to Canberra Kart Club president Mick Guymer for the loan of the Yarwood prepared engine, and Universal Trusses for sponsoring the 2007 running of the Canberra Cup.

The next appearance of Connell, and his younger sister Beck (Junior National Light), will be at Wollongong City Raceway, on the South Coast of NSW, for the final round of the Premier State Cup Series on November 3 – 4.

Connell would like to extend a big thanks to his parents, Mark and Angela, and 2007 sponsors: Karting World - Camden, Gillard Karts Australia, Xzuit, and Kennard’s Hire - Queanbeyan.

31 July 2007

Charging 7th For McBride In Austria

AKA press release

New South Wales karter Hayden McBride was the hard charger during round three of the Rotax Mojo Max Euro Challenge at the A1 Speedworld circuit in Austria last weekend.

After qualifying a lowly 44th, the current Australian Rotax Champion had his work cut out for him just to make the grid for the final.

During the heat races McBride showed true determination and class aboard his Gillard kart to move up from his 22nd starting position to finish 15th, 13th and eighth across the three 14-lap journeys. This was enough to secure a berth straight into the pre-final where he started from grid 20, an impressive 24 positions higher than he had qualified.

During the pre-final McBride continued his climb up the order and crossed the line just outside the top ten in 11th spot.

McBride continued his rise during the final and was in sixth place when the red flag was displayed due to an incident which brought about a halt in proceedings mid way through the race. With the final turning into a two part race after the restart McBride’s eighth position at the finish of the second half was enough to secure seventh overall for the round.

Victorian Luigi Catanese continued to grow in stature with another impressive performance throughout the weekend. In only his third start outside of Australia Catanese ran inside the top 20 throughout the heat races before eventually finishing 28th in the final.

27 July 2007
Grice On A Roll After Win In Italy

PDB Gillard racer Tom Grice is on a roll now after winning at the prestigious Italian Open final round at Val Vibrata in the Abruzzo. The Basildon teenager came back from qualifying right down in 34th.

Tom started every qualifying heat nearer the back of the field than the front but in the first heat he came through to 9th, 8th in the second heat and then 7th in the third, all the time easily on the pace of the leaders. When the scores of every other racer were added in, he had a starting position of 11th for the first of the main finals.

Ryan Sanderson scored a first up win for the Gillard team at Swan Hill's Sun Centre Titles on the weekend. Sanderson finished ahead of Australia's Gillard 'Boss' Paul Gallo in the Leopard class.

Sanderson also took home the Senior division of the Stumpy Alps Memorial whilst Gillard driver Luigi Cantanese was the Junior recipient.

Gillard Karts Australia is pleased to announce that rising star Ryan Sanderson has joined our team. He will make his debut this weekend at Swan Hill's Sun Centre Titles meeting in Leopard Light.

Sanderson will be a valuable addition to the team with some great results recently including winning the Victorian Central City Series in Clubman Light and the Winter Cup (Geelong) in Leopard Light. He put in a huge drive earlier this year, going from last (dropped chain) to 3rd at the Victorian Open in Leopard Light.

Ryan would like to thank Visa Global Transport Solutions and Commercial Floors for their continuing support. Ryan has seen the move to Gillard as a great opportunity to follow Hayden McBride and race in Europe.

1 May 2007
Cantanese To Gillard

Luigi Cantanese will switch from PCR to Gillard for the next round of the Euro Mojo Junior-MAX Challenge at Wackersdorf, Germany, later this month.

The 15-year old Victorian, who was 3rd in Junior National Light at the recent AKA Nationals, will drive for Peter de Bruijn's satellite factory Gillard team in a deal organised by Gillard Karts Australia.

Please contact us regarding other upcoming opportunities to race in Europe.

2 April 2007
45th Australian Titles - Eastern Creek

Gillard Karts Australia would like to wish Hayden McBride (Leopard Light), Jono Taylor (Leopard Light) and Jared Bishop (Clubman Heavy) the best of luck for this weekend's 45th Nationals at Eastern Creek, NSW.

News and results will be posted as it comes to hand.

21 February 2007
McBride To Hit Europe For '07

Current Australian Rotax Champion Hayden McBride is one of three Australia’s who are heading to Europe to contest the Rotax Max Euro Challenge, throughout 2007.

McBride, who hails from Newcastle, made his debut on the European karting scene in the Netherlands last year by contesting the final round of the Dutch Rotax Series at the Bergham Circuit where he finished fifth.

McBride will be supported in his quest throughout the four-round Euro Challenge by Gillard Racing Karts Australia.

“Europe is the home of world karting and after getting a feel for the racing last year I can’t wait to get back over there next month,” said McBride to the AKA press.

“Over the past few months I don’t think there has been too many days when I haven’t thought about racing in Europe. I’m really excited about racing against the best drivers from across the world but without the support of Paul Gallo of Gillard Karts Australia none of this would be possible. I can’t thank him enough for his support.

“It’s going to be very tough over there but hopefully I can achieve some good results and fly the Aussie flag high.”

20 February 2007
Gillard Wins 12th Winter Cup - Italy

The first offical race meeting for the new 125cc KF classes was run at the South Garda Karting complex in Lonato Italy between 16-17-18 February 2007.

Gillard won two of the three classes - KF1 using an IAME engine, and KF3 (juniors) with an MRC.

In KF1, Denmark's Michael Christensen (Gillard/IAME/Vega) took out the final being only one of three Gillard drivers in a field on 34.

In KF3 Viktor Oberg (Gillard/MRC/Vega) won ahead of a swag of Tony Kart/Vortex entries. Oberg was again one of 3 Gillard drivers in the capacity 34 kart grid.

Results, photos and video can be viewed via the South Garda website.

2 February 2007
Gillard Apparel Now Available

Gillard Karts Australia has just released a range of team apparel which can now be be ordered. Please visit our teamgear page to order your item. Please Note: Items are for sale to Australian customers.

20 January 2007
Gillard Announces Junior Max Pilot

20 December 2006
Kyle Bell Takes Rotax Heavy – Vic Closed Titles 

Kyle Bell took out the Victorian Closed Titles at Swan Hill. The Gillard Karts Driver had great pace all weekend. During practice he had good speed; on Friday making changes through the day to find a good set up.

Saturday was the start of the action coming up to Qualifying we made a few changes for the first session, Kyle had a great run and qualied on pole. Second session again the Gillard kart set that fastest time.

Coming up to the heats the Gillard team made adjustments for the heats forr the longer distances. All Kyle had to do was get a good start and get into a good race pace; as he did and took out the first 2 heats easily.

Also in Rotax Heavy was Paul Mapperson qualifying third and finishing second and sixth in the heats. In Clubman Over 40's Shane Domaille also had a good day qualifying third and finishing third in both heats. A great first day for the Gillard drivers.

Sunday is the main day with the pre-final & final to be raced. In Rotax Kyle Bell was off pole position, the Gillard driver getting a great start to the 14 lap race and winning by over 5 seconds. Paul Mapperson also had a good race finishing fourth.

In Clubman Over 40's Shane had a great race finding more race pace and finishing second in the pre-final.

Coming up to the finals and the Gillard team had two drivers off the Front rows of their classes. Kyle Bell off pole in Rotax Heavy and Shane Domaille off second in clubman over 40.

Starting the final Kyle was pushed back to second spot and showing a lot of patience, stayed in second for about 4/5 laps then made his move passing for first position.

He then put his head down straight away pulling four kart lengths in one lap and taking out the race again by over 5 seconds. It was a great result for Kyle and the Gillard Team taking another Rotax Title for 2006.

Also other great results Paul Mapperson finishing fifth and Shane Domaille finishing Third in Clubman Over 40's.

18 October 2006
Aussie Champ 5th In Holland

Newcastle kart driver Hayden McBride finished in an impressive fifth place during his overseas debut in the final round of the Dutch Rotax Series at the Bergham circuit near Amsterdam in the Netherlands last weekend.

McBride, the current Australian Rotax Light Champion, was one of the fastest drivers during official practice before qualifying in fourth position for the opening two heat races around the 1000 metre circuit.


During the opening two races McBride battled with drivers who regularly featured in the top five in the 2006 European Rotax Series and crossed the line fourth on both occasions.

Starting the final race from fourth on the 28-kart grid McBride was focused on getting to the end of the event to securing a spot inside the top five overall, a feat which by anyone’s standards would be an impressive effort in one of the most competitive karting championships in the world.

Unfortunately for McBride he was knocked off the track during the early laps of the final race and dropped back to 10th position. With the lap times set by the top 16 drivers separated by a mere 0.1 seconds regaining the lost positions was extremely tough and he crossed the line eighth.

With the finishing positions in each race counting towards the overall result McBride was classified fifth overall.

22 September 2006
City of Melbourne

14 September 2006
McBride To Europe!

Recently crowned Rotax Light National Champion Hayden McBride will jet off to Europe shortly to contest the fourth and final round of the 2006 Mojo MAX Euro Challenge series.

The Newcastle racer will be the third Australian racing at the event at Genk, Belgium, joining Ben George (DD2) and Steel Guiliana (Junior MAX).

21-year-old McBride will race in the Senior Rotax MAX 125 class. As in Australia, he will use a Gillard chassis and will take his regular mechanic, Mark Telfer, for the spanner work.

pic - Cooper's Photography