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Luke Downes

@ld22_racing

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AKC Round 4 — Eastern Lions Kart Club Puckapunyal 🏁
Round 4 definitely wasn’t the weekend we were hoping for, but there are still plenty of positives to take away from it.
Qualifying started with a slight steering drama that cost us a lot of time, leaving me starting 32nd. From there, I managed to work my way forward and finish 15th, while consistently putting in laps within a tenth of the fastest lap. Considering where we started, I was really happy with the pace and the driving.
Unfortunately, the final ended in a crash that broke the chassis and left my hand pretty banged up. I’m all good, but it means I’ll now have to go back to my old kart as we can’t afford to replace the chassis at the moment.
It’s frustrating because we didn’t get to see what I could have actually achieved in the final, but despite everything that happened, I feel like I drove really well and took a lot of positives from the weekend.
Most likely, I won’t be racing again until the final round of the Australian Kart Championship in Bolivar, Adelaide, as we just can’t find the time to get the old kart sorted and get some track time before then. It’ll be a bit of a wait, but we’ll make the most of it when we’re back. 💪
A massive thank you to @townsvillekartcentre and my coaches @lukeflynn and @brianflynn066 for all the coaching and support, my dad @camo_downes for making the trip down and getting me there, my sister and mum @2mastro1 for everything behind the scenes, and of course @thequackcoffee for helping make all of this possible.
32nd → 15th. Not the result we wanted, but plenty to build on. 🏁🔥 by @ld22_racing

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a month ago

AKC Round 3 Recap
Although I had a DNF for the first heat and the final, I’m happy to say I had gained up to 16 spots for one of the races and on average 10 for the others. Took a lot from the weekend and eager to get back out and come back stronger. I would like to thank MG engines for the great motor! Townsville kart centre for the coaching and support, Brian Flynn and Luke Flynn for the coaching. Ash for the mechanical. My sponsors the Quack coffee and my dad for bringing me down and of course all the officials and people who made this race possible. by @ld22_racing

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3 months ago

Round 2 of the NQ Series at Mareeba is in the books, and I’m happy to come away with P3 overall after a weekend full of challenges.
Before qualifying, we accidentally damaged a tyre while fitting it to the rim, which meant we had to run an older front-left tyre for the rest of the weekend.
Heat 1 didn’t go to plan with my brakes locking on throughout the race. To help protect the engine from the extra heat, we had the kart tuned rich, and I finished P6.
With the brake issue sorted for Heat 2, the engine was still set too rich, costing us speed and leaving me with P5.
Heat 3 was a much better race. Starting from P6, I worked my way through to P1 within two laps before eventually finishing P3 after some hard racing.
Starting P3 in the final, I was able to bring it home in P3 and secure a podium finish for the round.
Considering the issues we faced throughout the weekend, one of the biggest positives was our pace. We were within two tenths of the fastest lap in every session, showing we had the speed to run at the front all weekend.
A massive thank you to Dad, Brian Flynn, lukeflynn and the whole of TOWNSVILLE KART CENTRE for all the hard work and to everyone who continues to support me like my sponsors The Quack Coffee. Looking forward to the next round and fighting for even more 🥇👊🏻🏆🏆🏆#22 by @ld22_racing

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4 months ago

Had a up and down weekend but still fairly solid considering it was my first national round back in over 2 years and my first national round in seniors. I came away with an understanding of how fine the margins are at nationals at this level. Looking forward to round 3 in Townsville!!👊🏻 I would also like to thank the people who I wouldn’t have been able to do it without. @townsvillekartcentre, @brianflynn066, @lukeflynn, @camo_downes, @2mastro1. @lukedownes4 and a special thanks to @brocfeeney93 for the chat and signature. by @ld22_racing

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5 months ago

by @ld22_racing

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6 months ago

This past Easter weekend was definitely one step in the right direction! On Easter Sunday night, I flew down to Townsville ahead of practice for Monday and Tuesday at the @townsvillekartclub with the best support and coaching from no other than @lukeflynn and @brianflynn066 from @townsvillekartcentre to help me better my race craft and techniques ahead of the NQ series and Australian Kart Championship rounds. Especially round 3 of the Australian Kart Championship being held in Townsville. I made improvements throughout my 2 days at the track and I sure am looking forward to becoming even faster next time I get back in the seat. Thanks taken in Townsville Kart Club by @ld22_racing

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6 months ago

by @ld22_racing

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7 months ago

by @ld22_racing

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10 months ago

Big thanks to everyone one this year! Let’s make 2026 a faster and stronger one 💪🏻 by @ld22_racing

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10 months ago

NEW HELMET ARRIVAL

Ever since I first stepped onto the grid, I’ve been inspired by the unique helmets each driver wears — personally designed, full of character, and truly one-of-a-kind. I’ve always dreamt of having my own, and today I’m excited to say that dream has finally come true.
A huge thank you to my dad for supporting me through this journey and helping me choose the best helmet designer Diamond Helmet Design. He spent countless hours into bringing this helmet to life, perfecting every detail, and turning my vision into reality (As well as Borat on the back of the helmet)
If you’re looking to get your helmet painted, I can’t recommend Diamond Helmet Design enough!
Thanks by @ld22_racing

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10 months ago

by @ld22_racing

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10 months ago

What a way to finish off the 2025 karting season! Through some ups and downs it was definitely my best year in karting so far. I achieved more podiums as well as great results at the Queensland states and state titles and states in Darwin. Though without help from Luke Flynn , Cruise Mason , and Brian Flynn from Townsville Kart Centre, I sure wouldn’t have achieved anything this year. They have spent countless hours, days and weeks to help improve my race craft, mindset, focus and my understanding. I would also like to thank MG Engines for the countless hours and effort he puts into karting engines all over the country and ensuring they are always on point no matter what. I would like to thank my sponsor The Quack Coffee for not only help with my karting but making the best coffee in Cairns. Finally I would like to thank my friends and family for always being by my side and supporting me this year with my karting. Thanks. by @ld22_racing

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a year ago