AUSSIE TRIO SET TO BEGIN THEIR QUEST FOR GOLD IN SPAIN
Peter Bouzinelos representing Team Australia during the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games
Australian karting trio Pip Casabene, Riley Harrison, and Jay Kostecki are set to begin their quest for gold this Friday at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, Spain. The prestigious event brings together nations and drivers every two years for the world’s largest motorsport festival, featuring 26 disciplines across various categories.
In the sprint karting element, all competitors will race in identical equipment each of the three categories – Senior, Junior, and Mini, providing a level playing field for the competitors.
Pip Casabene will represent Australia in the Senior category. The 2023 Australian KA3 Junior Champion has been competing internationally this year, including the Champions of the Future Academy Program, where he finished runner-up in the OK-Senior category at the opening round in Italy.
“I’m excited to race for Australia at such a prestigious event. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what I’ve learnt competing overseas throughout the year and I’m aiming to bring home a gold medal,” said Casabene.
Riley Harrison will fly the flag for Australia in the Junior category. Harrison has been a force in Australian karting over the past couple of years, claiming three wins before being crowned Cadet of the Year in 2023. Throughout his career, he’s been mentored by 18-time National Champion David Sera and Supercars driver Nick Percat.
“Representing Australia is a huge honour and I’m ready to take on the world’s best drivers in identical equipment. I’ve had amazing support from my mentors and I’m confident I can make Australia proud,” said Harrison.
Fresh off a stunning victory at the Rok Superfinal in Italy, where he won every race he contested, Jay Kostecki will line up in the green and gold the Mini category. The Western Australian will be looking to carry his recent good run of form into the FIA Motorsport Games.
“Winning last week in Italy was incredible and I’m feeling confident heading into this weekend. I can’t wait to get out there and give it my all while representing Australia,” said Kostecki.
Joining the trio in other motorsport disciplines representing Australia are Griffin Peebles (Formula 4), Corrine East-Johnson and Reece McIntosh (Auto Slalom), Jake Burton (Esports F4), and Phillippa Boquida (Esports GT).
For more information on the event, including links to live timing and stream, please visit www.fiamotorsportgames.com
DRIVER, KART AND EVENT INFORMATION
Senior
Drivers and Karts
For drivers over 14 years old, racing identical CIK homologated Kart Republic chassis, powered by the OK-N IAME engine with MOJO tyres.
Schedule (local time/AEDT)
Friday
Practice: 8:50am (5:50pm), 10:10am (7:10pm), 11:50am (8:50pm), 1:30pm (10:30pm)
Qualifying: 3:57pm (12:57am)
Saturday
Heat 1 10:30am (7:30pm)
Heat 2 12:10am (9:10pm)
Sunday
Heat 3 10:40am (7:40pm)
Final 2:40pm (11:40pm)
Junior
Drivers and Karts
For drivers aged 11-14 years old, racing identical FIA supplied CIK homologated Kart Republic chassis, powered by the OK-N Junior IAME engine with MOJO tyres.
Schedule (local time/AEDT)
Friday
Practice: 8:30am (5:30pm), 9:50am (6:50pm), 11:30am (8:30pm), 1:10pm (10:10pm)
Qualifying: 3:25pm (12:25am)
Saturday
Heat 1 10:05am (7:05pm)
Heat 2 11:45am (8:45pm)
Sunday
Heat 3 10:20am (7:20pm)
Final 2:05pm (11:05pm)
Mini
Drivers and Karts
For drivers aged 8-11 years old, racing identical Mini XS Parolin karts, powered by TM engines with MOJO tyres.
Schedule (local time/AEDT)
Friday
Practice: 9:10am (6:10pm), 10:30am (7:30pm), 12:10pm (9:10pm), 1:50pm (10:50pm)
Qualifying: 4:29pm (1:29am)
Saturday
Heat BvsC 10:55am (7:55pm)
Heat AvsD 11:20am (8:20pm)
Heat BvsD 12:35pm (9:35pm)
Heat AvsC 1:00pm (10:00pm)
Sunday
Heat CvsD 9:40am (6:40pm)
Heat AvsB 10:00am (7:00pm)
Final B 1:20pm (10:20pm)
Final 1:40pm (10:40pm)