FIM MiniGP Australia face Newcastle this weekend

2023 FIM MiniGP Australia

Cameron Park, Newcastle – Second round preview

This weekend, the go-kart track at Cameron Park adjacent to the motorway on the outskirts of Newcastle will host the little motor races of kids with big dreams.

The second round of the FIM MiniGP Championship for the aspiring world champions featured several boys from the Central Coast and Hunter Valley.

FIM MiniGP is a global initiative initiated by FIM (the sport’s governing body) and Dorna, the commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship. The 18 participating countries in the global competition with the top drivers in each domestic competition invited to the end of the season shootout at the final round of this year’s MotoGP World Championship in Valencia, Spain on November.

There are two classes, first class for junior riders for 10-14 year olds competing on an economy bike competing in the class, the Italian Ohvale 160 cc four-stroke motorcycle, technical racing and challenge the go-kart track.

The second tier of the FIM MiniGP is for older riders aged 12-16 and they compete on a larger 190 cc machine with 12-inch wheels.

At the end of the year, the top two in 160 cc and the top three in 190 cc will travel to Spain to face off against the other leaders in each respective series.

The winners of that worldwide selection are guaranteed a place in the World Junior Championships as part of the ‘Road To MotoGP’ initiative.

The racing is really dynamic with stiff competition and the tight nature of the go-karts adding to the excitement and drama. The go-kart track is a perfect tool to learn cornering speed and technique against top speed races on larger, more traditional tracks.

After a hugely successful inaugural year, the second year of the FIM MiniGP Global Championship is another step in the quest for future Australian MotoGP world champions. Racing quality was on display in the first lap in March, proving that the level of competition and intensity has gone up a notch or two.

Read the full Round One developments here:
Thrilled and overwhelmed as the FIM MiniGP Australia Series begins at VIC

The two local boys competing this weekend are 13-year-old Hudson Thompson from the Central Coast and 15-year-old Cameron Dunker from Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley. They will race against drivers from New Zealand, South Australia, NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

Dunker is a discovery in the sport and after an stellar career on the dirt track, last year won two categories of the Australian Superbike Championship and is now leading the Australian Supersport Championship in its first year. his first in the division with many older and more experienced riders.

In the second round of the Aussie title at Sydney Motorsport Park in February, he made history by becoming the youngest winner in a race of the same class in its 30-year history.

Hudson also has a bright future as he has international experience and is another young teenager with big dreams and loads of talent, which is sure to help Dunker and his rivals have a real race.

This year there are five rounds spread across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia with the final round to be held in September, in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs, in Oakleigh.

In addition to the top classes mentioned, there are several support classes including a Veterans class for “kids” over 35 as well as a class for hybrid Supermotos, which are off-road motorcycles. with road rubber, racing on the bitumen of the go-kart track.

Three-time Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell is one of the main organizers of the Australian Championship and is super excited when the FIM MiniGP arrives in Newcastle for the first time.

Wayne Maxwell

“Last year we were very excited about the prospect of this category for the Australian junior long road race and after the success we achieved last year, it gave us extra motivation. efforts to improve and expand on what we laid the groundwork for last year. Going to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley seemed like a natural choice as the area has produced several champions during the year, including Casey Stoner and Chad Reed. There might be another person in the FIM MiniGP field like Cam Dunker or Hudson Thompson.

“The level of competition was quite unexpected for these kids but with a year of school under the belt as well as Moto-Tuesday training nights and our Summer series, the level has taken it to a whole new level. It’s impressive to see these kids learning their craft in the controlled environment of go-kart tracks that have proven to be the perfect learning location to hone the skills needed for success.

“Having seen what the Europeans do, we now know what we have to do to get there. Now, we have a better understanding of what it takes to compete with Europeans at this stage on another level. We know we’re on the right track as their riding progress and improvement has dramatically increased and many current MotoGP stars use Ohvales as a training tool. If it’s good enough for them to use as a walker, that only reflects how good the bikes are as a learning tool for the kids.”

There will be practice on Friday, practice, qualifying and a lap on Saturday with Sunday full race cards for each class. Spectators are free to enter.

FIM MINIGP chart 160 cc

FIM MINIGP 190cc Leaderboard

Australian MiniGP FIM Calendar 2023