Racer aims for top after kart triumph
MOTORSPORT CAIRNS junior kart driver Michael Janusz dreams of one day becoming a V8 Supercars or Formula One driver.
But, until then, the 11-yearold says he’s happy just to race his kart as fast as he can.
And in the Cadet 12 class in Queensland, nobody races faster than him – and he’s got a blue plate to prove it.
Janusz took out the 2019 Queensland Kart Championship with an impressive weekend in the second round of the championships at Gympie’s Cooloola Coast Kart Club.
Following a dominant first round at Proserpine’s Whitsunday Raceway in July, Janusz took a narrow five-point lead into the second and final round and a target on his back.
“It felt pretty good to take it out,” he said.
“It was hard because there were two kids out to get me.
“We pinned one of them for smashing us off the track and one was angry because he thought we dive-bombed him, but it was a clean pass.
“They were out to get me in the final, so I decided to stay back and got third, because I didn’t want them punting me off in the last race.”
Janusz’s decision to resist pushing for the lead and instead drive a smart race helped him secure the championship.
Following his state triumph, Janusz will travel to the invitational Race of Stars at the Gold Coast’s Xtreme Karting facility this weekend.
The youngster said he was looking forward to displaying his blue plates, which recognise current state champions in the sport, but it meant he would also carry extra pressure into the race.
“With a blue plate you’re expected to be up the front, but I’ve barely raced there before,” he said.
“I’m pretty good at learning new tracks but I’m not sure if I’m going to be at the back, middle or front. I’m just hoping for a good result in qualifying.”
Cadet 12 is the most wellcontested class in Australia, with some of the biggest fields in the national karting scene.
Janusz’ father and head mechanic, Thomas Janusz, said it was humbling for a kid from little old Cairns to take out the state title.
“The competition we have up here isn’t as heavy as it is down south, so to come out and win it is a pretty big achievement,” he said.
Fellow Cairns driver Matthew Boylett also secured a top-10 finish at the championships, finishing in sixth.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost