Name:
BEN KILSBY
Year of birth:
May 1st, 1991
Home Town:
Mount Gambier South, Australia
Years in Karting:
10
Which Club are you a member of?
Portland (Victoria)
E-mail:
sk8r_033@hotmail.com
Website:
www.myspace.com/racerboi_3
Chassis / Engine / Classes:
2008 Kosmic T11 / IAME Leopard / Leopard Light.
Tracks competed at regularly:
Victoria
Besides Karting, what other activities are you involved in? Nothing I hate Footy and etc…
What is your favourite pastime? (Besides Karting)
Fishing with dad, Skateboarding with mates, relaxing holidays.
‘9 to 5' Job:
Student year 11 student
How did you get started in Karting?
My dad raced and I wanted to follow in his footsteps
KARTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2008:
1st Victorian Country Series Round 1 (Leopard Light)
1st Victorian Country Series Round 4 (Leopard Light)
1st Handbury Titles (Leopard Light)
2nd Festival Sate Cup Round 1 (Leopard Light)
3rd Victorian Country Series Round 2 (Leopard Light)
3rd Victorian Country Series Round 3 (Leopard Light)
2007:
9th Australian Championships ( started the final last on the grid/32nd) (Junior Clubman)
5th Victorian State Titles (Junior Clubman)
5th South Australian State Titles (Junior Clubman)
3rd Tasmanian Sportsman Cup (Junior Clubman)
5th Tasmanian State Titles (Junior Clubman)
2006:
4th Australian Sprint Kart National Championships and fastest lap. (Junior Clubman)
1st Rotax – Leopard series round 1 feature class (Junior Clubman)
3rd Junior Showdown (Junior Clubman)
3rd South Australian State Championships (Junior Clubman)
2005:
1st Junior Sprint Classic (Junior Clubman)
2nd Junior showdown (Junior Clubman)
3rd Rotax Nationals feature class (Junior Clubman)
4th Victorian Closed Championships (Junior Clubman)
2004:
1st Southern Right Classic (Junior National Light)
1st Handbury Titles (Junior National Pro)
1st Junior Sprint Classic (Junior National Pro)
3rd Junior Sprint Classic (Junior National Heavy)
2003:
1st South West Titles (Junior National Light)
3rd Junior Sprint Classic (Junior National Light)
What is your most memorable karting moment?
My 2008 was to finish on the podium wherever I go and top 3 in the country series and top 10 at the nationals.
Earlier this year I travelled to Tasmania for the Australian championships. At the Australian champion ships in my class were 10 previous current Australian champions and many other great competitors. For the final I started out of grid 15 and by lap 7 was up to 5th and catching the first four and was matching the leaders lap times but a lap later my water pump broke and forced me to retire. Although I did not finish this race I believe it is still a highlight of this year’s season because It was my first nationals in seniors and I could match the best of the best already being it only my second race of the year in seniors.
I am also currently leading the 2008 Victorian country series by 500 points in Leopard light with 2 rounds to go.
What is your most embarrassing moment in Karting?
Won the junior sprint and did a lock up and spun (ha, ha, ha)
What is your funniest memory in Karting?
HIRE CARS!!!
Do you have any sponsors or people you want to thank for their support? Pit crew, family, sponsors etc:
TA Kart Racing Services, Remo Racing for supporting me for 10 years so far, Kosmic for an amazing chassis and my dad Malcolm and step mum Catherine for the huge effort, time and money that they put into my karting.
Do you have any other family members that race also?
Dad raced for 35 years.
Do you set goals for yourself in Karting? If so, what are they?
I like to set high goals (whatever they may be) so it pushes me to my limits and makes me try hard.
Tell us about someone who inspires you, or is a Mentor to you?
Inspiration: JAMES SERA. James is such a good driver and racer, he races clean, hard and his driving is so smooth and precise.
Mentor:
My Dad Malcolm and Remo; Whenever I am not driving right or over drive they say “hey look you could improve here" or "drive smoother” and things like that, It’s good that they do that cause it helps me be a better driver.
Most admired racer outside Karting? Why?
LEWIS HAMILTON!!! That guy is amazing, he is such a talented driver!
If you won a million dollars today, and had to spend it in 24 hours, what would you spend it on?
Pay my parents all the money back that they have spent on my racing, and Start a racing program where kids that are talented in a kart can go into car racing and don’t have to pay loads of money.
What do you think needs the most improvement in karting in Australia today?
Track facilities, Expense.
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?
Josh and Hughsey’s idea of a ‘KARTING DRIVERS ASSOCIATION is brilliant!!! So that when us "THE KARTERS" have an issue, we have an opportunity to raise it.
What thing you like most about karting?
Winning and going out with my mates.
What thing you like least about Karting?
Bad weather, really long trips and not being fast.
What cheeses you off?
Being slow, Not finishing on the podium and bad luck.
What is your Favourite Food?
I will eat anything! (ha ha ha)
What is your Fitness Routine?
Running, driving, eating healthy and any other activities that I do.
Tips or Philosophies on winning?
Be Smooth, always remain positive.
What I have learned or gained from Kart Racing?
Where do I start? Umm… Friends, Good attitude, Driving Skills.
What are your future Ambitions?
State and Australian Championships, Some form of circuit Car racing.