World Karting Association (WKA) Manufacturer’s Cup champion Zane Maloney will suit up for the opening round of the Barbados Karting Association (BKA) championships at Bushy Park on Sunday.
The youngster, a former BKA champion, will be on a short break after winning the prestigious title and a third-place finish in his opening event racing with the senior boys at the South Garda Circuit.
He will drive his RFK kart and start at the back of the 125-field in Sunday’s action which is expected to be fully subscribed in all the classes.
Crew chief and father Sean Maloney told WEEKEND SPORT his son was progressing well, but was still too small for the 125 cc or the X30 classes.
“Although he is growing, he would have to add 75 pounds in additional weight for him to reach the legal weight limit and that would not be good and could destroy the kart, so he will start at the back of the 125cc class, but fans would get to see how fast he is under the conditions,” the senior Maloney added.
According to the crew chief, he would be coming from -6 degrees weather to much warmer conditions.
“He is now racing with the senior boys and it is tough, but after some heats last month and a third-place finish last weekend at the Adria circuit, it would be a much needed change of conditions as he is following a tough routine of mixing his school work with exercise and racing,” he added.
But much attention would be on the visiting youngster as he will be up against a mix of junior and senior kart drivers, including reigning champion Colin Bradshaw, who was the SDRR Motor Sport/Chefette champion driver last year.
Bradshaw wrested three BKA championship titles after amassing 600 points. He also took the Easy Kart (EK) 60cc Cadet title, as well as the title for the driver returning the highest total of fastest lap times.
Graham Bradshaw and Adam Mallalieu, the Most Improved Driver Award winner last year, who is moving up to the 125cc light class, are also expected to be among the starters.
Other entrants include Josh Maloney and female driver Kayleigh Catwell, who won the Motoring News Trophy for the highest placed female competitor.
Former champion Christian Hinds, who won the X30 class, Theo Howard and Calvin Bartlett are also tipped to be among the starters.
Drivers such as Arden Bruce, Jacob Mustor, Donche Blackman and Daniel Ullyett will be the ones to watch in this year’s SDRR Motor Sport/Chefette Championship. (TT)
