Young farmer king of the kart track

Leon Gray-Lockhart | 15th April 2010

YOUNG Rawhitiroa farmer, Michael Kiser is grinning from ear to ear having recently taken a national championship title in kart racing.
Over Easter Weekend in Hastings, Michael took the coveted title of New Zealand Sprint Car Yamaha Heavy Class Champion after a hard-fought racetrack battle against New Zealand’s top 25 kart-racers.
Even before the final, the competition had started well for the 25-year-old, coming in the quickest in his first time trial of the day. This early success he than followed up with second and first placings in the next two heats, followed by good results in a pre-final race; all of which put him in excellent stead for the 22-lap final.
“The finals field really was a quality field,” says Michael.
“There was a highly-competitive Aussie rider, and six international drivers there, meaning winning would be a real challenge.”
However, never one to shy away from hard work, Michael cleaned up in his 100cc Italian-designed ‘Kosmic’ race kart, demonstrating a welcome return to form for him after something of an extended break.
“I only returned from a 10-month OE in Europe about a month ago and for the entire time I was away, I didn’t really get a chance to race.

I’d looked into it, but it was going to be really expensive to do in Europe, so I had to take a break from it.”
Gone, but not forgotten
Giving up something you love is difficult for anybody, but in Michael’s case, it’s almost unimaginable; kart racing has dominated any spare time he’s had for the last 16 years.
“My dad, Erwin, took me and my brother Nikilaus to the Taranaki Kart Club ‘Have-a-Go day’ in Waitara when I was nine. We all really loved it.”
Michael’s track career progressed well and his interest in kart racing grew; taking him from simple hobbyist to serious competitor.
“I moved into the seniors competition after I turned 16, and I just haven’t looked back since.”
Eventually, Michael earned an ‘A-rated’ licence, a qualification only given to riders in the top 30-40% of the sport in the country; accomplishing one goal, whilst setting him up for more challenging others.
“Ever since I started, I’ve loved it and compete when I can.”
In fact, on the day he arrived back from his big OE he headed for a regional race day being held in Wellington.
“We arrived in Auckland from Los Angeles and then flew down to New Plymouth. Because the third round of the WPKA Series was being held in Wellington, we immediately headed down to it so I could compete; it was so close to the national champs, I needed to get back into it pretty quickly!”
Competing is completing
The urge to compete in kart racing has always proved irresistible to Michael and fortunately, New Zealand’s kart-racing scene is one of the best to be involved in.
“In New Zealand, we’re quite lucky that, because of the weather, the season generally lasts the entire year; because there are around 25 kart clubs in the country, there’s always something going on.”
“Regular competition is essential because, like an athlete, you’re always looking for ways to improve your performance.”
Michael says that personal fitness is one of the most critical features of his type of race, mainly because there are weight restrictions and, in such a small vehicle, the driver’s weight can have serious impacts on a kart’s performance.
“I lead a pretty active lifestyle. I like activities like watersports, snowboarding and skiing, and walking and cycling.”
Understanding the vehicles he drives is equally important in securing a competitive advantage on the racetrack too.
“Even though these karts are small and compact, they’re still fast; the 100cc can get up to 110km/h – that’s a huge amount when there’s not a lot between you, the vehicle and the ground underneath.
“I race a 125cc as well. That’s got a 6-speed sequential gearbox and in one lap, you might be making 30-40 gear changes, getting up to speeds of 160km/h.”
Speed and need
Such high-speed vehicles need first-rate support and, much to the envy of many of his follow kart racers around the country, Michael is fortunate that he has a purpose-built, high-spec, precision-engineered trailer in which he can transport all that he needs for competitions.
“I did an engineering apprenticeship with Hotter Engineering when I left school, and actually built the mobile unit myself at home.
“We can get all our spare parts, the karts and a whole lot of other stuff in there – as well as a couch that we sit down on to watch races when we’re not in them, it’s great.”
Michael receives a lot support from his partner Sonia Burling, his major sponsor, Dairymaster Milking Services, and, of course, his dad, Erwin.
“Michael always put everything he has into the things he does,” says Erwin.
“When he started as a kid, I got really involved too for about six months. Michael went on to grow and develop his interest in it and he’s just got better and better.”
He enjoys all aspects of motorsport and one day might participate in other kinds of races and competitions. However, Michael continues to enjoy kart racing the most, and is set to keep going with it for as long as he enjoys it.
“I like to keep up to date and I like to compete. Nobody goes racing to get second, so I’m looking forward to defending my title next year,” he says.