April 2025 – Australian Kart Championship, Round 3 Race Recap
Hey everyone,
We’ve just wrapped up Round 3 of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship in Newcastle, and what a weekend it was — full of highs, challenges, and valuable lessons.
Off-Track Highlights
We flew into Sydney and made a quick pit stop at Platinum Potions HQ, where I had the opportunity to catch up with Chris and meet the team. It was awesome to see the behind-the-scenes of their operations, from product development to the factory floor. It’s safe to say that the place smelled incredible (as expected)!
Then it was straight to Newcastle, where we hit the track for a walk-through and prep ahead of Friday’s practice sessions. While I was there, I had the chance to connect with Jason and Mackenzie from D2N Technology Solutions. It was great having them trackside, showing them around our team setup and giving them a real feel for the race weekend environment.
Track Talk
Newcastle Kart Raceway is a technical, undulating track, perched on a hillside with dips, twists, and very little room for error. It’s not a drafting circuit; instead, it demands precision and rhythm, much like Oakleigh.
Practice saw us mid-pack, unable to unlock the pace we were looking for. Fortunately, Saturday’s qualifying session came together nicely, putting us P10 in a stacked field of 36 of Australia’s top senior karters.
Heat Races & Final
The heats were a mixed bag. Our best result was P8 in Heat 2, but something still didn’t feel quite right. Just before the Final, we discovered that the engine coil had broken — a frustrating issue, but at least we now knew the problem. After a quick fix, we reset and got ready to give it everything in the Final.
Starting from P11, I was determined to charge forward, and by Lap 3, I had already climbed to P8. Then came the moment that changed everything: another driver made a risky move, and we collided, bending my steering rod.
From there, the kart was fighting me at every turn — literally. It hopped like a kangaroo out of corners, but I kept pushing and defended hard to bring it home in P11. It wasn’t smooth sailing, but it was a gutsy drive, and we came away with solid championship points (and more bruises than usual).
Looking Ahead
Next up is Round 4 at Ipswich, QLD in July. This flat, fast-flowing circuit should offer a completely different challenge — and we’re already working hard behind the scenes to get ready.
A huge thank you to my team, family, and incredible sponsors for their unwavering support every step of the way. Your support means the world — let’s keep pushing.
See you trackside!
– Mathew
