Sam's Latest News

9th Nov 2008

2008 "World Superstars of Superkarts" Laguna Seca Raceway

Sam made the trip to the USA to race at the famous Laguna Seca Circuit in Monterey California. The event was run in conjunction with the "American LeMans" series which saw well over 30,000 spectators on race day. Sam elected to take his backup kart to the USA (Stockman/Honda) whilst leaving his newer kart (Stockman/Yamaha) in Australia for further development and compete at the 2008 Australian Superkart Championships. Fellow Aussie, Mike Wayne also made the trip to the USA to sample the Laguna Seca circuit for his first time.

From the outset, Sam was very pleased with his setup which took careful planning and analysis from previous data collected at 2005 Laguna Seca MotoGP event. 4 time World 500cc GP Champion Eddie Lawson was present and fearsome to also show his form improvement which meant a close battle throughout the 4 days of Testing / Qualifying / Racing. Mike Wayne also came to grips with the circuit being placed within the top 5 of the timing sheets at all times.

With only 10ths of a second separating lap times for both Eddie and Sam as the fastest runners over the 4 days on track, it came down to the 25min Race on Sunday afternoon to determine who would eventually triumph. The race was run over a fierce pace for the entire duration. This was something that Sam wouldn't have imagined, however both drivers were reeling out the lap times at their fastest possible pace the entire race duration. A testiment to this was Eddie Lawson did his fastest race lap with 3 laps to go, Sam Zavaglia broke the outright Superkart track record with just 2 laps to go with an amazing 1:23.636. The final lap of the 25min race was heading for a great show down which would just separate them by a 10th of a second when Sam made a blunder in the corkscrew to eventually see Eddie Lawson win by only 2 seconds in his Factory Powered Yamaha TZ250 superkart.

Fellow Australian competitor Mike Wayne finished 3rd, placing both the Aussies 2nd and 3rd on the Laguna podium using 'Australian Made' Stockman chassis.

Special thanks to Steve Castles and Chryss Jamieson who made the trip to the USA to assist "Team Australia" in achieving the great results.

Photo's of Sam's trip to the USA can be seen HERE.

Footage aboard Sam's Superkart on his lap record together with the final lap of the race can be seen on You-Tube HERE.

Sunday Race "Individual Lap Times" for Eddie Lawson and Sam Zavaglia can be viewed HERE.

Saturday and Sunday Results can be viewed HERE.

8th Nov 2008

2008 Australian Superkart Championship

The 2008 Australian Superkart Championship has been run and won by Darren Hossack over 2 rounds. Congratulations to Darren and the SAFE Evolutions Team for taking out the 2008 Australian Championship.

Round 1- Eastern Creek 12-13th May 2008

Sam elected to run his new Stockman/TZ250 package over his more established Honda package. Whislt the Yamaha has it's merits is some areas, it clearly still required some refinement to enable a competitive advantage over the rest of the field.

Sam's title hopes were later dashed by a jumped start in Race 3 at Eastern Creek. A drive through penalty was issued on the 2nd lap whilst clearly leading now meant finishing the race back in the field, thus collected no points for the race heat. This now made for an up hill battle to pull back into championship contention with no more mistakes to be afforded.

Sam's Round 1 results were; Race 1 = 2nd, Race 2 = 2nd, Race 3 = 15th, Race 4 = 1st, which was still good enough for 2nd Place in Round 1, however a massive 19 points behind round winner Darren Hossack.

Round 2 - Mallala 1-2 Nov 2008

The weekend didn't start to well for Sam chasing an electrical problem all day in Friday's testing. With no test laps made, it clearly meant Sam was behind the 8 ball with his setup come race day.

With some previous chassis changes made between the National title rounds, this setup didn't work well at the Mallala circuit as Sam struggled to keep the 4 wheels on the ground through the corners. Whilst the track had many changing grip conditions throughout the weekend, Sam's kart seemed to at least be drivable when the track was in it's slippery periods.

Sam's Round 2 results were; Race 1 = 3rd, Race 2 = 2nd, Race 3 = 1st, Race 4 = 2nd, whilst still taking 2nd overall for the Round. Congratulations to Garry Pegoraro from Team RMR who took the round win by just 1 point. 3rd Place for the round going to Darren Hossack.

Whilst Sam had made up a massive amount of points to series leader Darren Hossack during Round 2 at Mallala, he just fell short of taking the 2008 Australian Superkart Title by only 3 points.

2008 Australian Superkart Championship Results

1st Darren Hossack - 137 points

2nd Sam Zavaglia - 134 points

3rd Garry Pegoraro - 129 points

20th June 2008

Sam's New Stockman Superkart for 2008

Sam has completed building a new Stockman Superkart to become his No.1 ride for 2008. The new kart is exactly that...all NEW. A brand new Stockman chassis, a brand new engine of different make from Honda to now Yamaha and a different chassis design is all hoped to become the package to move himself another step forward against his competition both in Australia and Internationally.

Sam will compete with his new kart at Round 1 of the NSW Superkart State Title at the Oran Park GP circuit on June 21, then Round 1 of the Australian Superkart Championships at Eastern Creek on July 11-13. He will then sneak out in a few more test days and a Supersprint meeting in preparation for the "Invitational World Superkart Challenge" at Laguna Seca USA followed by United States Kart Grand Prix at Virginia International Raceway in October and December respectively. It's expected that the cream of European Superkart drivers will be in attendance along with the very best of the USA's Superkart drivers.

Sam has already tested the kart at Eastern Creek Raceway in conditions that were not ideal. Preliminary testing showed that the kart still has more dialling in to the optimum setup but the lap times were still nothing to be sneezed at. Looks like it could be very exciting times ahead for the Sydney based racer who says he could not have dreamed of pursuing this challenge without the help of Brian Stockman, GMP Racing Products and The Lawson Motor Inn - Wagga Wagga.

Pictures of the new Stockman/Yamaha TZ250 during it's build can be seen HERE.

10th March 2008

Steven Castles shines in the V8 Supercar Support Event

Steven Castles has impressed a few with his stunning performance in Race 3 at Eastern Creek starting from row 19 being 38th on the grid to finish 2nd just behind fellow Stockman Superkarts driver Warren McIlveen. Steven had only been fitted to the kart on Thursday evening before setting the fastest time in Friday's practice session.

What was only to be a test meeting for Steven had quickly realised his competitive ability to produce fast and consistent lap times around the technical Eastern Creek circuit. Steven was in the top 3 all weekend except for a suspected loose electrical connection that ended his Race 2 early placing him 38th for the final. The fault was later diagnosed as an 8 cent component only 1 hour before the final race.

Steven's performance has given the team valuable data throughout the weekend to ensure a competitive holding where he is expected to return to Eastern Creek in the #9 machine for Round 1 of the Australian Superkart Championship. With some key hardware components still missing from the setup of #9, confidence is high for it's potential on it's next outing.

Steve's drive in #9 was only brought about with the support of Nunawading Engine Clinic, GMP Racing Products, SignZone, Brian Stockman and SZR.

Race photo courtesy of www.horswellracingteam.com

25th February 2008

Steven Castles to race at Eastern Creek V8 Supercar Support Event

Steven Castles is the confirmed driver in Sam Zavaglia's No.9 Stockman/Honda 250 International Superkart for the Eastern Creek V8 Supercar support event March 7-9.

In 2007, Steven debuted 250cc Superkart racing in the Australian Superkart Championship aboard the NEC Automotives Stockman/Honda Superkart where he showed good form although tyre and engine issues had stopped Steven finishing in the top 5 final placings.

Steven brings with him some additional experience learned from his recent trip to the United States Kart Grand Prix in Virginia USA where he spannered Sam to great success in the 125cc gearbox superkart. Together with the support of GMP Racing Products and NEC Automotives, Steven will be one of the drivers to watch towards the front of the large field of Superkarts expected to compete.

27th December 2007

2007 USA Trip to Virginia International Raceway

Full report and pictures of the trip to the USA can be seen HERE.

29th November 2007

Oran Park GP Race Meeting

With only 2 weeks remaining till the USKGP meeting at Virginia International Raceway, Sam decided it would be a good idea to compete at the last round of the AMRS Championship to keep his race fitness sharp and his neck muscles in tune.

Sam obtained a second hand kart and then proceeded in a general clean up of the electrical wiring, overhauled the brakes, fitted some old bodywork with some new decals and then after a new set of pistons it was ready to race.

Sam won 4 races from 4 starts convincingly from his competition. He went home satisfied knowing he has done his best in preparation for his upcoming International race meeting.

Race Photos by James Smith, Pit Photos by Steve Sponberg

23rd October 2007

Packing Up for USKGP

The karts are finally packed and shipped for Virginia International Raceway. What a relief to have finally completed, tested and re-prepped the karts in time for the last departing ship for the USKGP race meeting. Both karts were prepped better than expected given the time while also looking the goods. The relentless hours and work by Steve Sponberg who made the trip down from Brisbane for an entire week to assist was absolutely priceless. Without Steve's help, the karts would not be race ready and would have required a rush of work in the USA before the USKGP race meeting, so thankyou very much Steve!

12th October 2007

Eastern Creek Test Day for USKGP

Special thanks to Brian Stockman who dropped everything to complete a new 250 Superkart in short time to enable Sam to compete at the USKGP. Thanks also extend to GMP Racing Products and SignZone for their contributing support for parts and services to complete this mammoth task.

Sam tested his 2 brand new karts at Eastern Creek under the USKGP specs of 192kgs for the 125cc and 220 kgs for the 250cc. Testing and lap times went way better than expected for both karts giving Sam an absolute confidence boost leading into his USKGP race meeting at Virgina International Raceway - Dec 14-16. Steve Sponberg and Brian Stockman were on hand to spanner for Sam during this day and both will also be present in the USA along with Stephen Castles to ensure Sam gets the best possible support when competing against some of the World's best Superkart drivers from Europe and USA. Both karts will leaving Australian shores on Thursday 18th Oct bound for the USA.

9th August 2007

Feature in Australian Dirt Bike Magazine (Sept 07)

End of May was the weekend that Sam took up the challenge to participate in the 2007 V8 Hard Card ride from Merrijig to Jamieson and return in the Victoria's High Country. The invitation was open to the V8 Supercar fraternity and Sam was also fortunate to have this invitation extended to him. The ride was over 2 nights of drinking and bulldust in the local pubs, plus 2 glorious days of riding incorporating at least 5 river crossings, some at waist height! The ride was attended by 30 riders within the V8 Supercar community and covered by ADB magazine. To find out about all the antics, your going to have to buy the September edition of the magazine and read the 6 page coverage.....not to mention what Sam had to do when he won the damm booby prize :-)

Attached is the first paragraph to get you going.

Click to enlarge

8th August 2007

Pictures and Report from Somersby - Sam's first ever Flat Track Race Meeting

After watching and assisting an upcoming rider Giuseppe Scarcella for the last 9 months, it was time that Sam gave "Flat Track Racing" a go for himself on Sun 5th August. What started out to be a day of fun, Sam quickly found out that only 12 bikes can qualify for the final race out of 19 entrants in his class. All of a sudden, this placed a bit of pressure on Sam as his young rider Giuseppe told him that if he does not qualify then he is no longer allowed to coach him :-)

Sam got out there, total virgin to dirt bike racing and gave his best on his #9 bike, in the 2nd race taking a fall going beyond his talent! In any case, Sam managed to score 10th after 3 races, in his third race finishing 3rd, and then in the final finishing 8th. So a very satisfying result since he was just thrown straight into the deep with a "3rd hand" rear tyre!

Expect Sam to be out again flat track racing in his 2007 KTM 250cc twincam bike in a few weeks with a brand new rear tyre to suit.

23rd July 2007

Round 2 of Australian Superkart Nationals - Electrical Gremlin plays Sam's fate at the Superkart Titles

With an 8 point lead over Warren McIlveen coming in to the final round on May 14-15, an electrical gremlin plays a part in Sam's run.

Read Sam's Race Report Here.

8th May 2007

Round 1 of Australian Superkart Nationals - Sam Zavaglia wins Round 1 of the 2007 Australian Superkart Titles

A mixed day in performance has still netted Sam with the round win at Phillip Island on 6th May.

Read Sam's Race Report Here.

6th March 2007

Sam Zavaglia commits to USKGP at VIR

Commitment will be honoured by Sam Zavaglia to United States Kart Grand Prix (USKGP) promoter Bernie Adamson. The 2007 event at Virginia International Raceway will take place over Dec 14-16 2007 and will incorporate the full 'Grand Course' at VIR.

"I was delighted to be invited by Bernie and at 6.75klms a lap, it surely can't be missed. This is one very long and technical circuit that will be hard to learn and setup in just 3 days" remarked Sam.

Sam will be kept busy over the race weekend competing in 2 classes, the 250 Twin and Formula-125. 2 machines will be shipped to the USA comprising of a Stockman/RS125 and also a Stockman/RS250, though both karts may vary from this configuration pending some further ongoing testing prior to packing the shipping container.

The event is generating interest from worldwide Superkart communities and is shaping up to become a very exciting race meeting. Promoter Bernie Adamson has further news that cannot yet be officially communicated, but it's surely making this an exciting, memorable and not to be missed race weekend.

All set for testing at Eastern Creek

Many hours have been spent in the garage setting up both bikes ready for the Eastern Creek test day on 24th February. The seats are now positioned 20mm higher and 20mm further back from original position to give me more room in the saddle. The Wakefield Park crash has been repaired, my ankle is now OK for my daily running regime, 3 sets of rims have been sent to the powdercoaters and buckets of aluminium sent to the anodisers to make "The Lawson Motor Inn" bikes look quite presentable for season 2007.

5th December 2006

New RS125 backup bike plus additional engine updates for 2007 Season

A new backup bike for 2007 has been acquired plus also the latest Stockman RS125 engine improvements that's been qualified through 2006 dyno and racing results. This complete engine package has just been integrated for my 2007 season. Also for 2007 is a carbon ram force airbox, kitted shocks, quickshifter, 4 channel analogue datalogger, plus other minor improvements. It would seem the weak link is going to be the rider :-)

At the 2006 Eastern Creek Superkart National Titles, some biased influence from a couple of SWG members set motion to a decision in conflict to the 2006 CAMS Manual of Motorsport. This favoured a competitor in plain breach of the rules, not withstanding the driver of a Green/Black superkart making comment to me in front of the stewards, "The sooner you leave the sport the better for everyone". These actions has helped me decide to give Superkarting a rest for 2007 and instead focus all of my efforts into 125GP bike racing. The Lawson Motor Inn - Wagga Wagga will again support me throughout the 2007 season and I look forward continuing my progress in the bike road racing scene.

With so much to cover for this meeting, I have made a page dedicated to this report. Click HERE for full weekend's report.

A big weekend has just been had in the shed in getting my RS125 up to scratch for the upcoming support racing at MotoGP Phillip Island. A new paint job for 2 complete sets of bodywork, complete full rebuild of the engine with all new crank and bits. A massive thankyou to "The Lawson Motor Inn, Wagga Wagga" for sponsoring and supporting of my ride, not to forget Brian Stockman who will be taking the bike on Monday for the extra go fast bits and his expert dyno tuning. Not sure what to make of the new engine mods that will be easily propelling me to speeds greater than 200kph sitting on top of a pocket bike. Nevertheless, I'm real excited to be part of this event and look forward to the action and spectacle to what makes up the MotoGP weekend. Here are some pictures of my bike's current status.

STOCKMAN/HONDA again dominates a weekend of racing in the Australian states of NSW and Victoria.

In NSW, Warren McIlveen was in a league of his own at the Oran Pk GP circuit. Warren won the race meeting from Queenslander Mark Maczek (Anderson/Rotax). John Pellicano (ZIP/Honda) finished 3rd for the meeting after spinning out in the wet conditions.

At Victoria's Phillip Island circuit, Greg Bass won the meeting on his debut of the 2004 Stockman/Honda that I just sold to him. I'm not sure of the minor placing but I'm told that Greg won 2 of the 3 races by a substantial distance. It's just great to hear the success for that kart still continues. I'm told Greg felt a little lost in the garage when only needing to oil the chain and top the fuel between races.

In the July 2006 edition of National Karting News, my kart features on front cover due to coverage on Round 1 of the SX Projects National Titles from Phillip Island. Get to your local news agent to purchase a copy and read the race report. Picture of front cover here.

After the NSW Superkart Club Forum was closed permanently, it appears that a new Australian Superkart Forum has been opened.

I believe this is being managed by someone within the 250cc fold from South Australia. Go and check it out!

The fleet of toys is has now filled the garage so I decided to do a count on what's in there. All working and ready to race. See Here.

Results from Round 2 in the European Formula E Championships in Most, Czech Republic.

Round 1 of the SX Projects Superkart National Titles from Phillip Island will be televised on SBS "Speed week" Sunday 25th June 2006.

I believe it will also be shown on Foxtel Sports Channel after the 25th June. Check your guides.

The official CIK/FIA Press Release is here for this weekend's Round 2 of the European Superkart Championships in Most, Czech Republic.

Here is the latest Entry list for Round 2 of the European Championships. Can you believe it, 49x Formula E's.

I won't say who I'll be cheering for but there is a "Australian Made" kart somewhere in there.

STOCKMAN/HONDA again dominates at Eastern Creek with a total demolition by Anthony Zulian in Round 3 of the NSW Superkart Club Championship on May 28. Anthony's Stockman was in a class of it's own when he scored Pole Position and 4 wins from 4 starts in an absolute faultless run. His lap times were well on par to give the opposition something to think about come Round 2 of the Australian National Titles Nov 24 - 26 at Eastern Creek.

Round 1 of the SX Projects Superkart National Titles page - Phillip Island 19 - 21 May