Four Kiwi karting stars have confirmed that they will represent KartSport Team NZ at the 2024 ROK Superfinals in Lonato, Italy, next month.
Braxton Kraayvanger, George Tucker, Carson Daly, and Matt Hamilton will travel to Europe for the five-day event at the South Garda Karting circuit from October 15 to 19.
Qualification to the ROK Superfinal was earned by winning either the ROK Cup NZ 2024 or one of the ROK classes at the KSNZ Sprint Nationals held at KartSport Marlborough at Easter this year.
“The ROK Cup Super-final has been running for 20 years with New Zealand sending drivers since 2016,” said ROK Cup New Zealand Promoter Maurice Frost.
“This year, four excellent drivers are taking the opportunity to build on their driving resumes and experience by competing in the 2024 ROK Cup Super Final. We expect them all to be very competitive in one of the biggest and most challenging events on the world Karting Calendar.
“This year, Vortex is running an invitation class to demonstrate its new Vortex SVR engine, a 125cc water-cooled 34-horsepower electric start engine. We are really excited to announce that Matt Hamilton, a multi-New Zealand champion with extensive international experience, has been chosen for this position.
“This year, the Mini Rok drivers will be using a pooled engine, which is proving to be extremely popular and emphasises the driver’s ability rather than the engine.
“We wish George, Braxton, Carson and Matt all the best for a great meeting.”
Kraayvanger qualified through his efforts in winning the 2024 NZ ROK Cup NZ and will compete in the Vortex Mini Rok class in Italy.
“I’m really excited about heading over to Italy to race against top Karters from all over the world,” he said.
“I am looking forward to working with and learning from an Italian race team and will be focusing on making the most of this fantastic opportunity. I will be doing my best to earn a place to represent New Zealand in the final.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting me on my Karting journey, especially Caltex Queenstown.”
Tucker, too, will be in action in Vortex Mini Rok, having finished second at the KSNZ National Sprint 2024. With Henry Fisher, who travelled with the Kiwi team last year and won nationals this year, moving up to juniors, Tucker took the qualifying place.
“I am really excited for my first international kart race and enjoying the experience with Team NZ and AV Racing in Italy,” Tucker said.
“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get this far on my journey: Les Campbell, Matt Hamilton, John Hamilton, and everyone at KartStore & TC Performance.”
Daly is New Zealand’s sole competitor in Vortex Rok DVS Junior, having won the KartSport New Zealand Sprint Nationals in the class earlier this year.
“I am excited to race on the world stage amongst some of the best,” he said.
“When I’m in my kart I love the feeling of going fast while being in control and being competitive with others on the track. I can’t wait for this experience on the South Garda track in Italy; I really want to go hard!
“The preparation is going well, spending time in both the DVS and Rotax at different tracks every weekend. This trip is a big deal to my family and me, and I have been working hard to fundraise and seek sponsorship to help get me there.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me, follows my progress, and is backing me in chasing my dream – to become a race car driver.
“I am driven to represent NZ and my Hamilton club well and do my best.”
Hamilton last won the chance to represent New Zealand in 2021 but could not travel due to COVID restrictions and lockdown. The Vortex SVR class he will compete in is invitational, with ROK Cup NZ choosing him as their representative. He finished second at ROK Vegas in 2022, which made him a top choice with ROK.
“After last winning the chance to represent New Zealand at the Rok Cup Superfinal in 2021 but missing out due to the pandemic, I’m excited to join the Kartsport NZ contingent for 2024,” said Hamilton.
“It’s a dream come true to compete at the iconic Lonato circuit for the first time, the spiritual home of karting.”
Words & Images: Supplied
Thanks velocity news for this publication, great article and George is super focused and ready for the challenge, thanks for covering this epic journey for everyone