Blight chasing more success at Kalgoorlie International Speedway
With two national titles and years of experience on a tough US circuit up his sleeve, Kye Blight has literally seen and done it all — but he maintains that nothing quite matches the thrill of competing on WA's regional tracks.
Katanning-raised Blight, who is based in Albany, has turned to old-fashioned family values while chasing a big performance in Saturday night's Red Dirt Rumble at Kalgoorlie International Speedway.
Joining Blight on the Goldfields trip for his 2024-25 season finale are his father and grandfather.
'The first time I ever went to Kalgoorlie was in 2008-09, when we won a production sedan State championship, so I have very fond memories of the place,' Blight said.
'It's been sporadic since — we usually try and get to the Red Dirt Rumble, but a lot of that time has been taken up with racing in America over the past three or four seasons.
'I won it just before COVID hit but haven't been back since, so I'm looking forward to it.'
Blight's annual US stints generally spanned from May to September, dating back to 2017.
'But it's tough other there and very humbling because those guys do it for a living,' he said.
'It's definitely very different to how we do things in Australia and the fun aspect in the US, to be honest, isn't really there (because) it's all business.
'That's why I'm pretty rapt to be back here in WA.'
Blight returned from his latest overseas venture in October, and has revelled in familiar surroundings.
'There's obviously going to be some really good cars there (at KIS),' he said.
'But we've been really good since we got back and our car has been really fast.
'Hopefully, that equates to ending-up in the top three.
'But the red dirt plays a big role because we don't get to race on the clay very often and it throws us a loop (because) early on in the night, it starts off with a lot of traction and is very sticky when it's wet.
'Then it dries off very quickly and becomes quite abrasive.
'The trick at Kalgoorlie is to stay on top of your adjustments and make sure your car is good at the start of the night and good at the end of the night.'
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