Pair hope to write own history at champs

Local pair Dion Hounsfield and Mitch Perrella will put down their sign-writing tools today as they prepare to contest the 2017 WA Kart Championships here in Albany, which have attracted almost 200 competitors from around the State.

Hounsfield and Perrella are apprentice sign-writers for Albany business Eyerite Signs, but the talented young racers will change tack for the next four days as they share the bitumen at Albany City Kart Club while chasing a maiden State championship win.

After finishing third in the 2013 State titles in the junior clubman division at the time, Hounsfield is gunning to go even better this weekend on a track in which he has done plenty of laps.

The 18-year-old Lake King Kart Club member will contest the KA3 senior heavy division, which has the smallest amount of competitors, eight in total, of the 12 different classes in action.

“I’m pretty confident because I’ve been going really well lately,” Hounsfield said. “The key will be not to wear your tyres out early and save them for the 22-lap final.

“I’ve finished third before, so hopefully I can go a couple better.”

Perrella, also an LKKC member, lives in Albany like Hounsfield and will use his vast knowledge of the exciting 935m track.

The 18-year-old is one of 12 drivers nominated for the WA open performance division.

“I definitely think I can win it, but I’ll be aiming for a top-three finish for sure,” Perella said.

“I’ve finished fifth or sixth before at States but I think it’s important to get in a good spot for the final and look after your tyres.

“Hopefully it all goes well — we’ve had good pace all year.”

A total of 17 drivers from the Great Southern will fly the local flag, including Mitchell Riedyk and Kane Badger in the bumper 28-strong Cadet 12 field.

ACKC member Greg Pearson will be one to watch in the Tag 125 heavy division, which also has John Hamment and Paul Battye among the field.

Denmark’s Keb Evans appears to be a strong contender in the KA3 senior light division as well.

The championships start with practice today and finish on Sunday with all division finals.

Great Southern competitors

Cadet 9

Tyler Riedyk, Harrison Beres

Cadet 12

Mitchell Riedyk, Kane Badger

KA4 junior light

Aaron Riedyk

KA4 junior heavy

Jason Donald

KA3 senior light

Keb Evans, Timothy Young

KA3 senior medium

Callum Harper

KA3 senior heavy

Dion Hounsfield (Lake King member)

Tag 125 heavy

Paul Battye, Greg Pearson, John Hamment

KA3 junior

Steven Zambonetti

WA open performance

Tyler Spouse-Nastasi, Mitch Perrella (Lake King member)

KA3 senior masters

Howard Heerey