Year of birth
08/03/88

Home Town
Cheltenham Vic

Years in Karting
Started in 2005

Which Club are you a member of?
Oakleigh

Website
myspace.com/leopardjb3 and facebook

Chassis / Engine / Classes
Kosmic / Leopard Heavy

Tracks competed at regularly?
Oakleigh, Geelong, Todd Rd, Pukka

Besides Karting, what other activities are you involved in?
nothing

What is your favourite pastime? (Besides Karting)
Going out with mates, Music.

‘9 to 5' Job / Student
I work at Melbourne Kart Centre

How did you get started in Karting?
I Grew up riding Moto-X, when I lived in canberra the two clubs (moto-x and kart) where next door to each other, so that’s when I first noticed karting. When I moved to Melbourne I thought I would give karting a shot and certainly don’t regret it!

Karting Accomplishments
No big wins yet!

What is your most memorable karting moment?
Hooters Parramatta celebratory drinks after James poled the Nationals in Clubman Light in 2007!
I was Mechanic for Hughesy at this years Nationals… setting the pace!

What is your most embarrassing moment in Karting?
Umm, I guess at geelong in 2007, tried to be a hero at turn one and just ended up ruining Rick Pringles chance of the win when I slammed into the side of him…

What is your funniest memory in Karting?
Zach Griffins early Clubman Light racing days!

Do you have any sponsors or people you want to thank for their support?
At the track I get HUGE amounts of help from Adam Hughes and his Dad Ian. Also the support I get from Rog and Steve at MKC and Graham Ritter from ‘MKC engines’ is something I couldn’t do without!

Do you have any other family members that race also?
No

Do you set goals for yourself in Karting? If so, what are they?
My goals for this year are to Podium the Leopard Final and win my first Blue plate in
South Australia.

Tell us about someone who inspires you, or is a Mentor to you?
I guess my karting ‘mentor’ would be Hughesy, but I also really admire Michael griffiths, because he is someone I've raced since my very first clubday, and he is the one I have always judged myself against. It's also impossible not to respect Justin Schnieders pure speed.

Most admired racer outside Karting? Why?
I love watching the up and comers, GP2 is the best series in the world. Romain Grosjean provides the most entertaining racing you'll ever see!

If you won a million dollars today, and had to spend it in 24 hours, what would you spend it on?
Clear all debts, buy 10 Kosmics and a couple of spare engines, probably get a Clubman Heavy setup as well.  New car… oh! and new trailer. I would probably get a big van as well, for when I can't be botherd taking the trailer. I would also love to see Australia with a track good enough, and with the facilities too, host an international CIK meeting, so I guess I would build me one of them… and a life time supply of Ice Break!

What do you think needs the most improvement in karting in Australia today?
Better progression from class to class, the state of Midgets and Rookies at the moment is ridiculous. Now is the time to introduce an ‘out of the box’ TaG engine that can be restricted for Midgets, then rookies, then open for Juniors.

Australia also needs an elite CIK series, with big prizes, big promotion and all the hype expected to go along with it.

If you got the opportunity to have 5 minutes to have your say as a Karting competitor at an AKA Conference on any subject whatsoever, what would you talk about? And why does it mean so much to you as a Karter?
I would suggest hughesy's idea of a ‘Karting Drivers Association’ so that when us "the karters" have an issue, we have an avenue to raise it. And also so that when the AKA try to create "useless rules" we can have our say and let them know how ridiculous whatever they are proposing is!!!

What thing you like most about karting?
The competitive side, and spending time with mates.

What thing you like least about Karting?
Wet, Cold and Windy 7am mornings…

What cheeses you off?
Mechanical DNF's and Engine Failures.

What is your Favourite Food?
KFC, Ice Break.

What is your Fitness Routine?
Don’t really have a routine, but I just try and keep generally active.
I find the best way to keep ‘kart fit’ is by karting itself!

Tips or Philosophies on winning?
Nothing's Impossible, always give 110%

What I have learned or gained from Kart Racing?
I have learnt a lot about racecraft and kart set-up, I've also gained some good mates.

What are your future Ambitions?
I Would love to one day be a multiple Aussie Champ, and be able to use my knowledge to create a career in karting.