MOUNT Gambier’s Kai Allen has claimed his second Australian Go Kart Championship, taking out the KA2 Junior 125cc category after the final round was run and won in Melbourne.
The 13 year old’s victory in the 15 and Under category was the first by a South Australian since Supercar driver Tim Slade, who claimed the elite junior category in 2001.
Capping off another stellar year by the home-schooled teenager, Allen finished second in the KA4 Junior 100cc category, competing in two of the nine categories on offer, making for a busy season for the rising star.
Allen’s achievements were highlighted at the sport’s gala presentation night in the Medallion Room at Etihad Stadium and were not the only accolades that came the way of the young driver.
He also brought home the John Targett Perpetual Trophy, a trophy named in honour of the Karting Australia Hall of Fame member, as well as the 2018 Bridgestone Cup winner, a peer-voted award across all cadet and junior categories, plus the 2018 Dunlop Determination Award.
Given his 2018 trophy haul, it is no surprise Allen is the most successful cadet/junior driver in history since those championships were changed from a single event title to a five round championships back in 2015.
Allen has been on the podium of every category he has contested since that year, taking his first Australian title in 2016.
The Australian Kart Championships is the largest in the southern hemisphere and attracts international competitors.
The five rounds of the 2018 championships were held in Monarto, Albury, Newcastle, Emerald and Melbourne.
Along with the swag of trophies Allen collected, he has also picked up some incredible opportunities with his victory in the KA2 championship, with automatic entry into the ROK International Cup Final in Lake Garda, Italy.
He also has received a free test drive in a Formula 4 car, but must wait until he turns 14 to acquire the necessary licence.
His second placing in the KA4 has also come with some perks, including a drive package in the IAME International Final at the Le Mans Karting International Circuit in France.
Allen’s 2018 campaign was assisted by Mount Gambier’s John Dankowski, who helped the Allen family with extra hands on deck to ensure the young driver could compete in two classes.
