THE final two rounds of the inaugural FIM MiniGP Australia Series at the Oakleigh Go-Kart track in Clayton South (Vic) were a fitting finale to what has been a season of excitement, drama, and sensational displays of riding by the talented youngsters who age from 10-14-years-old.
12-year old William Hunt had a mixed weekend, recording a DNF in Race 1 of Round 4 and 10th in Race 2, which were both held on the Saturday.
Round 5 was held on Sunday and William improved to finish 8th in Race 1, then finished 11th in Race 2, with his efforts throughout the year giving him 11th overall for the Series.
The top two finishers in the series, Harrison Watts and Teerin Fleming, will both head to Valencia (Spain) at the beginning of November to contest the FIM MiniGP World Series Final. A supporting act, in the lead-up to the MotoGP World Championship finale, which is being held that same week.
The overall international winner of the World Cup gets to climb the next step on Dorna’s Road To MotoGP program, with a guaranteed ride in the FIM Junior World Championship in 2023. While many others will also raise their profile in their hopes to secure rides in series such as the Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull Rookies.
One of the chiefs of the series is multiple ASBK Champion Wayne Maxwell and he was extremely happy, and proud of what has been achieved.
“There has been some difficult times getting all this (Ohvale FIM MiniGP) up and running but we now have a great little series and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their efforts, from the riders and their parents and supporters, to all the officials and sponsors that have been of an assistance in the running of the series. The racing in all classes has been spectacular. It has shown that the Ohvale is a brilliant little tool to learn on,” said Wayne.
“Also on behalf of my partners, Dim and Nick, I’d like to thank Motorcycling Australia, the FIM and Dorna for providing this pathway for youngsters to chase their dreams. Maybe one day in the future we can look back at an Aussie MotoGP world champion and say, ‘we had a small part in their success’.”
William is back on a different bike this weekend, racing in Round 6 of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, which is being held at the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit from 14th-16th October.
William is in 12th place overall and with the riders placed above him currently out of reach on the points table, will be looking to consolidate his position in the yearly rankings.
