Western Australian Hayden Patrizi will return to top level karting when he lines up in round two of the 2010 CIK Stars of Karting Series at Ipswich, Queensland this weekend.

Patrizi, the younger brother of V8 Supercar driver Michael, is no stranger to the front of the field in the CIK style of racing having competed in Australia’s top level of karting earlier this decade.

The Perth driver will compete aboard a TM powered Monaco chassis under the PatriziCorse banner in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2) category.

“I’ve always considered the CIK style of racing as the top level of karting in the world and when I heard that it was making a comeback in Australia it got me excited about racing again,” said Patrizi.

“I left the sport at the end of 2002 to concentrate on my cricketing career but the motorsport bug is still in me, so I spent some time racing motorcross to get my fix but after breaking my leg doing that I’ve decided karting is a lot better option.”

Patrizi’s last race in the CIK Stars of Karting Series was at the Raleigh circuit in northern New South Wales during 2002 – in the same year he won the Ipswich round of the championship.

“Ipswich is a great track, one of my favourites in the country,” said Patrizi.

“I won there in 2002, I love the long back straight and the challenges that the infield section produces.

“Racing the Pro Gearbox category around Ipswich is something that I’m really looking forward to. I’ve had a few runs back home in Perth but to take on the best drivers in the country again is going to be great.”

Hayden's Brother Michael is also very excited about his return to top level karting,

"it's great to see Hayden return to what we have always classed as the top level of Australia Karting, I have always made my comments heard as i believe without CIK racing we wouldnt have the level of V8 supercar drivers we have at the moment,"

"Hayden is no exception to this, as a driver in CIK level he certainlty showed his talent and i am sure if you asked Tim Slade or Andrew Thompson about hayden qualities they would answer with alot of praise as he has lead both teh JICA and ICA championships as well as winning and finishing on the podium on many occasions,"

"All i have to say is the Pressure is on now, and lets hope the Patrizi Corse banner kicks off on a Winning Note, after all we don't go racing to turn up, we go to have a crack and that always been our Philosophy and approach, if we win well that's a bonus."

Patrizi Corse also welcomes new Sponsor Sniper Laser Alignment Systems to the Team.

"Having Sniper come on board with us is such a Bonus for what i want for my racing Team, Hayden, Dan and Luke have gained alot of supporters in WA and Sniper is a great company and Fantastic product that has helped many teams win World Championships, they are very selective on who the support as as you can see every driver uses there Product, i am sure now with the new V2 Inox our PatriziCorse 125cc Monaco Shifters will be more perfect then ever."

"we hope with our association with Sniper Laser Alignment Systems we can assist them in there never ending development of there fantastic product"

The CIK Stars of Karting Series kicked off in Newcastle on March 5-7 and incorporates the Australian CIK Championships for the Pro Light (KF1), Pro Gearbox (KZ2) and Pro Junior (KF3) categories.

Competitors in the Pro Light category will use the 125cc IAME KF specification engine, as used in the 2009 championship that was won by Newcastle driver Hayden McBride. The Pro Gearbox drivers will take to the track powered by a six-speed 125cc gearbox machine while the Pro Junior drivers will use a 125cc Vortex KF3 specification engine.

Release: Lee Hanescheek Bam Media.