THE 10 TO WATCH IN 2012

WITH 2011 IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, FRANK JOSEPH LOOKS AT THE RISING STARS OF 2012

THE 2011 Australian karting season saw many trials and tribulations with countless highlights, and 2012 promises even more excitement with karting's junior and senior ranks receiving a major shake-up.

With the likes of Joseph Mawson, Pierce Lehane, Michael Stewart, and Jake Klarich stepping up into the senior ranks, the next generation of junior talent is ready to shine.

With Mawson already winning his first senior encounter at the Rotax Pro Tour, these no-longer youngsters will definitely be worth keeping an eye on in 2012 as they mix it with the likes of Macauley Jones and Tyler Greenbury - two drivers who moved up to seniors in recent years, and shone brightly.

Some names to really look out for include Thomas Randle, Bryce Fullwood, Anton De Pasquale, Brock Plumb, Joseph Burton-Harris, Damon Strongman and Luke Marquis - just to name a few.

Jordan Caruso and Cooper Murray are two Cadet stars worth keeping watch on for in 2012.

Four other juniors to impress in 2011 that sit just outside AA's top 10 are Jordan Boys Cameron Hill, Jake Coleman and James Golding.

Boys won Junior Max at the Victorian Closed and took a double victory at the Junior Sprint Classic; Golding won the Junior National Light National Title while both Cameron Hill and Jake Coleman were two others constantly knocking at the door with Coleman improving considerably since working with junior protege Troy Hunt.

Rookies racers Thomas Prascevic, Reece Sidebottom, Jordan McGregor, Jayden Ojeda, Zane Morse and Nik Mitic will all also be ones to watch.

This is far from all of the rising stars, but the bunch below all had a pretty good year in 2011. And while some haven't quite cracked a big win, it is only a matter of time until they grace the top step of the podium.

Here's why some of these drivers are on target for a stellar year in 2012.

JORDAN CARUSO

THE YOUNG VCiorian started 2011 on a high, winning ihe Victortan Open, then taking heme the blue plate from Queensland, hntshad second in Tasmanaa. won the Jjnor Spnnt Classic, and trie back plate at ine Victorian Closed He seems to be one of those lew drivers wno look at nome *i the kort and that is something that lew dnvere nave - only tme will tell.

COOPER MURRAY

ANOTHER YOUNGSTER that appears to be super comfortable and relaxed behind the wheel. Cooper Murray showed a marked improvement towards the end of last year. Driving his Tony Kart. the young Victorian kept a cool head in the last two state titles of 2011 to greet the chequered flag first in both the Tasmanian and SA finals.

THOMAS RANDLE

THE YOUNG Victorian is the son of tormer Sports Sedan Champion Dean Randle. and towards the end ot 2011 he really began to make his mark. The FA Kart pilot broke through to win the Pro Tour event at Canberra, before closing the year out with a win at the Junior Max in GA - his first state title. It wont be the last.

BRYCE FULLWOOD

LAST YEAR was a fruitful one for Ihis 13 year-old Darwin sleerer, winning a hat-trick of three blue plates. The immaculately presented Arrow pilot won his home title in the Top End before also taking out the trophy in the West and closing the year with a win in SA. He would have to be one of the favourites to win at his home Nationals this year.

ANTON DE PASQUALE

AFTER BREAKING through tor his tirst state title late in 2010. this young Victorian has virtually been unstoppable, crossing the line first in each of the six state championship he contested throughout 2011 in the JNH category (though he was relegated to second in a post-race stewards hearing at the NSW titles).

JAKE KLARICH

JAKE KLARICH dominated the KF3 Meritus GP Cup, which was held in Kalgoorlie late in 2011. The Super Rooster-backed Lenzo kart pilot also scored two round wins in the Castrol EDGE CIK Stars of Karting Series in the Pro Junior category, and is sure to add to this tally in 2012.

BROCK PLUMB

HAILING FROM Queensland, Plumb was one of those who was constantly knocking on the door of success in the big races and managed to get on the podium at his home state title. He also took out a final in the CIK Stars of Karting in Newcastle and finished runner-up for the round.

JOSEPH BURTON HARRIS

THE EXPRIT driver was another junior to break through for his first state title in 2011, winning the Junior Max crown in the Northern Territory. He was certainly hot on the heels of the front-runners all last year, and will be sure to add to his racing resume in 2012.

DAMONS TRONGMAN

BACKED BY Karcher, Strongman was victorious in not only the NSW State Championship, but also won in Tasmania last year. He won the CIK support class in his home state and was another driver to notch a bag of wins throughout the season.

LUKE MARQUIS

THIS SOUTH Aussie Arrow racer was a relative latecomer to the sport, but has quickly picked up the skills. He claimed the Junior Clubman state title in Queensland, and went on to win the Junior National Light at the NT titles, and Junior Clubman at the Junior Sprint Classic.

PADDON'S SUPER SKODA

HAYDEN PADDON is moving up to the competitive S2000 rally class in 2012 after winning the 2011 Production World Rally championship. The 24-year-old Kiwi will drive a Skoda Fabia run by Spanish team ASM Motorsport. "I am ecstatic about the move to Super 2000; it's a fantastic opportunity," Paddon said. "I was lucky enough to test the Skoda Fabia S2000 in Europe a couple of months ago, and it was an incredible car to drive."

PRODUCING THE NUMBERS

THE IMPROVED Production series was a success in 2011; ...

TAKING THE TOUR

BOB PEARSON had to wait for the final race weekend to take out the 2011 Production Touring Car series, after leading the championship for most of the year in his Mitsubishi EVO X. Pearson was forced to miss the Wakefield Park round, allowing six other drivers to join him in the battle for the outright championship coming into the final round at Eastern Creek.

KEEN AS MUSTON

NEALE MUSTON in his Porsche 997 Cup car ...

PADDON'S SUPER SKODA

PRODUCING THE NUMBERS

TAKING THE TOUR

KEEN AS MUSTON

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