The trio represent a hungry group of go-karters in Griffith who have made it their mission to take the state by storm in 2012, with Byron and Cappello setting their sights on the first round of the Southern Series in Orange this weekend.

Griffith’s reputation as a Mecca for young, talented go-kart drivers continues to grow and the trio of Centofanti, Cappello and Byron are leading the charge,

The youngest of the group, Byron, 12, is aiming to make to make a splash in the rookies division after honing his skills at a development camp in Lithgow recently.

Facing 27 of the best drivers for their age in the state, the Griffith karter finished 11th, a result his mother Gail said her speed demon of a son was content to build from.

“He was hoping to come in the the top half of the field, so he was pretty happy to come in where he did,” Gail said.

“But Byron’s plan this year is to try and get to some of the bigger meets around the state and to try and concentrate on the Southern Series.

“Just so he can try and get his points up so he can qualify for the closed state titles later in the year.”

The first round of Southern Series is in Orange this weekend, with Matt Cappello also set to hit the track in the first major event for the new racing season.

“It’s hard when he has never been to a track before as well, the trip to Lithgow was the first time he’d been there, but we have been to Orange before so that will help this weekend,” Gail said.

Unlike most other sports where more laps or time in the gym is critical to improving performance, according to Byron there is only one way to get faster in a go-kart.

“It’s just time in the seat and doing laps and really knowing the set up of our car,” Byron said.

The Griffith Go Kart Club will hold its first event for the year with its club day next weekend, February 12, starting from 10am with entry free to spectators at the Tharbogang track.

The Yellowtail Cup, which is one of the most prestigious races in the country, will also be back in the city in April with the pro tour set to be run in conjunction with the weekend.