Anthony Abbasse defends Race of Stars international karting event after dramatic finish

Some of the world’s best go-kart drivers have launched the week-long Gold Coast 600 motorsport festival by hitting speeds up to 160km/hour without a concrete canyon keeping them on track

SOME of the world’s best go-kart drivers have launched the week-long Gold Coast 600 motorsport festival by hitting speeds up to 160km/hour without a concrete canyon keeping them on track.

No roll cages, no roof and centimetres from rivals on what five-time world champion Davide Fore labelled the fastest go-karting track in the world, the Race of Stars international karting event has laid the platform for a big week of motorsport on the Gold Coast.

Frenchman Anthony Abbasse defended his KZ2 crown, claiming victory in dramatic circumstances on Saturday at Pimpama’s Xtreme Karting facility.

Anthony Abbasse (left) won the Race of Stars international karting event at Pimpama's Extreme Karting facility. Picture credit: Ben Roehlen/Pace Images

Abbasse will remain on the Gold Coast this week to attend the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 and support his countryman and friend Alex Premat, who won the Bathurst 1000 with Scott McLaughlin on October 13.

“It is great to come to the Gold Coast and have the chance to race on this very fast track where we reach speeds in excess of 160km/h going through turn one,” Abbasse said.

“It is amazing to win after an unbelievable race, it was really, really close.

“I hope that I can come back next year and win another surfboard. Before that I’m looking forward to spending some days on the Gold Coast and being trackside for the Supercars to watch my friend Alex Premat race next weekend.”

Anthony Abbasse (left) and Matthew Payne at the finish of the Race of Stars international karting event at Pimpama's Extreme Karting facility. Picture credit: Ben Roehlen/Pace Images

Abbasse, 29, led the majority of the 15 lap final until the very last moment, when New Zealander, Matthew Payne, driving a Ricciardo Kart for Gold Coast-based Patrizicorse was able to pass the Frenchman right as the chequered flag flew.

Much to the 17-year-old’s dismay was that post-race - a body work infringement saw him penalised two places.

Kye Cavedon was the first of the Australians in fourth and was presented the Jim Morton perpetual trophy by Jim Courtney, the father of Supercars star, James Courtney.

Anthony Abbasse (left, car #44) won the Race of Stars international karting event at Pimpama's Extreme Karting facility. Picture credit: Ben Roehlen/Pace Images

Gold Coaster, Brendan Nelson set a rare record - becoming the first driver to win the same category three times in TAG, while another local in Jace Matthews set a record of his own, becoming the second driver to win one of the Race of Stars surfboards as a junior and senior.

Queenslander Kurtis Tennant won the KA3 Junior and finished second in KA4 Junior to Australian Champion Kobi Williams.

Other winners included New South Welshman, Adrian Haak (KA2 Junior) and Australian Champion Harry Arnett (Cadet 12).