LIAM PHILLIPS
LOCAL drifting motorsport gun
Kurt Penrose-Starr claimed third
place at the Drifting SA State Series
L1 earlier this month after
qualifying in first place – and at
18, he is just getting started.
After initially getting involved
in drifting at 14, Penrose-Starr has
slowly but surely made a name for
himself on the local scene, picking
up sponsorships from local businesses
Outrage Customs and Seal
My Fridge to help him on his way.
Kurt’s mum and No.1 fan Trudi
Penrose-Starr said there were some
bumps along the way, but it culminated
in a terrific end to the weekend
at The Bend Motorsport Park,
Tailem Bend.
“The event didn’t start great, only
doing three laps Saturday night before
his R31 started to ‘hunt’ really
bad on idle,” she said.
“The team tried to chase the nasty
vacuum leak the rest of the night
without luck, but we owe a big
thanks to Spencer Martin for chipping
in and throwing his head under
the bonnet to have a look.
“We left the track unsure if we’d
even be able to get the car fixed.”
Still trying to diagnose the issues,
the team contacted Sleeka Spares
in Para Hills West about sourcing a
plenum manifold gasket.
“It was all we could think of that
was causing the hunting,” Trudie
said.
“In true Sleeka Spares style, they
replied saying they were coming up
to The Bend Motorsport Park and
that they’ll bring one up first thing.
“On Sunday morning, the team
pulled the plenum apart and found
the rubber gasket had cracked.
“We missed the first practice session
of the day, but from there the
weekend got so much better – the
31 not only looked the part, but ran
faultlessly all day.
“Kurt qualified first and had the
highest score for any individual for
the day – an achievement to be very
proud of given the names and experience
of the other L1 drivers he
was competing against.”
It was Kurt’s first podium in the
L1 grade, in only his fourth time
competing at the level.