After the excitement of two consecutive weekends watching their Kiwi compatriots competing in the United States and Spain, the attention of the country's karters returns to the domestic scene and the second round of the revamped Bayleys WPKA Goldstar series at the KartSport Manawatu club's Manawatu Toyota Raceway in Palmertson North on Sunday.
The round, sponsored by local businesses, TK Manawatu and ORG Manawatu, has attracted another strong entry, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Auckland in the north and Christchurch in the south to take part in the country's longest established annual regional series.
KartSport Wellington hosted the first round of the new-look Bayleys-backed series at Wynns Raceway at Kaitoki over the November 8-9 weekend with Taranaki ace Brad Still the big winner in the 125cc Rotax Max Light class and the Senior GP race, and Palmerston North driver Dylan Drysdale coming out on the top in both the Formula Junior class overall and the Junior Grand Prix.
Local driver Bailey Walker looks set to again be the driver to beat in the Junior Yamaha class, though Ronan Murphy, son of V8 Supercar and Super Tourer ace Greg Murphy, and who been racing seriously for less than a year, is getting better with each outing.
After winning against strong competition at the opening series round in Wellington, local driver Riley Jack will start favourite in the Vortex Mini ROK class, while with both class and GP race wins at the opening round in Wellington, Blenheim driver William Exton will take the early season advantage in Cadet ROK with him to Palmerston North.
