SQ RACING AT THE CIK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Latest model FGS-GC125 RACING 125cc CHEETAH™ TaG kart package which is not only affordable but also proved it had some punch, raced as support class at the 2009 CIK world championships event in Macau on 10 and 11 October 2009. This was historic as it was the first time in 46 years the CIK world championships were held in Asia and was held at the Coloane Circuit Macau (just outside Hong Kong).

The SQ Racing Kart Package was designed and developed in both Australia and China combining the knowledge of Australian Karting with the manufacturing might of China. SQ Racing is now attracting more and more interest from all over the world as this is the first high performance kart package to be manufactured in China. The 125cc TaG engine, the chassis, the plastics, seat, exhaust, brakes, and even the magnesium rims are all made by the one manufacturer ( ShengQi ). This all leads to the most cost effective race package in market for around $ 3,500.00 – 3,750.00 USD. At this affordable price the kart still comes with a European - Tillotson HL carburetor, and Japanese bearings and spark plug.

The race was a special invitation-only event for veteran drivers (over 40) from all over the world including Australia, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Thailand and included the calibre of drivers such as a Japanese former CIK world championship pole position driver.

Trophies – Tyres sponsored by Advan-Yokohama

Martin Brien AUS (Designer/Engineer for SQ Racing) with Taiwanese Driver

Pit Area

Drivers Briefing

Saturday Practice

Saturday Practice

The SQ race was held immediately after the official opening ceremony before the CIK finals. TV crews, media, officials, and the world kart industry all looking on from an overflowing grand stand along with a crowded circuit perimeter. SQ Racing was under the microscope.

The racing was tough due to the very limited track time as the CIK and AKOC championship classes had ultimate priority, and at the last moment the race starting method for the SQ class was changed to standing start to save time.

In the background as the official opening ceremony was taking place the 18 SQ factory prepped, special-event karts were gridded up using a ballot system (number out of a hat). To add to this, the track had been resurfaced with concrete on 4 critical corners the night before a consequence of the super soft CIK tyres on the KF1 karts ripping up the track to such a state it threatened to stop the event. Consequently there was no morning warm up session for the SQ class so the drivers could not familiarise themselves with the now changed track conditions.

Without even one lap to warm up before the race – basically cold karts put on the grid, started and then raced – this was going to be the ultimate TaG (Touch and Go) test. Cold engines, cold tyres, all karts idling on the starting grid for what seemed ages without the axle driving water pump. Then the flag dropped. All karts at full noise into the first bend, and now at full speed heading to the unknown grip levels of the high speed section hair pin that had been re-surfaced only the night before. Both Australian drivers Malcolm Hayes and Martin Brien got flying starts. From Position 7 and 9 on the grid and lead 1, 2 out of the hair pin closely followed by the Japanese and Taiwanese drivers. Individual position battles went on throughout the race to the delight of the crowd.

The winner of the race was SQ Dealer Malcolm Hayes from Mildura Vic. AUS but the drive of the race was engine builder and SQ Dealer Paul Wroe from Hervey Bay QLD AUS who finished second out of grid 15. This was closely followed by Sydney NSW SQ Dealer Peter Pontello AUS third from out of grid 4, who recovered from a bad start to overtake Martin Brien AUS on the last lap who finished fourth.

SQ Racing was on show to the critical eye of the world karting fraternity, and as stated by former UK Rotax National Champion Josh O'Malley "The SQ race displayed some of the best racing of the day – they looked and sounded great". All SQ karts preformed extremely well with all finishing the event, which unfortunately was not the case in some of the more serious classes that followed. Even Peter Brien finished after a spectacular coming together with another kart which saw him crash off the track to the cheers of the crowd, and after getting out of the kart dragging it back to the track and restarting the engine he finished the race on the lead lap.

In a statement from Martin Brien SQ Racing Australia "This is the pinnacle event of our sport and to have our SQ 125cc kart package racing in its own controlled class was the highlight of our development, and then to have Australia finish 1,2,3,4 was just the icing on the cake. To go from just an idea four years ago, to racing at the CIK World Titles event has just been mind blowing. Think what we can achieve in another 4 years."

Tyrone Tan, Business Development Manager from the SQ factory in China also present during the meeting also stated that "This is the first time SQ Racing was officially introduced to the world, without the support of our Australian distributor, the AKOC (Asian Karting Open Championship) and AAMC (Automobile General Association of Macau), we would not have pulled this off. This turned out to be a very successful product launch."

Malcolm Hayes takes the win at the SQ Racing 2009 Invitational

Paul Wroe 80 about to pass Peter Pontello 28 for second place

First Place - Malcolm Hayes AUS (40), Second place - Paul Wroe AUS (58), Third place - Peter Pontello AUS (57) with the president of AKOC JohnnyTan the event organisers.

Martin then went on to state the AKOC (Asian Karting Association and event organisers) were so impressed with the performance and reliability of the SQ Racing package they are contemplating a similar one-make kart / engine package raced every year in Macau, and therefore formula C may be a proposition.

Basically a one-make kart and engine class that will be run as a world event once a year, with drivers from all over the world, driving all the same chassis and engines, over a range of ages and weights. Just bring your suits, boots, helmet and gloves and the karts will be supplied by ballot.

For more information please go to the websites: www.fastglobalsupplier.com or send inquiries to sale@fastglobalsupplier.com