Karratha Is Gearing Up For The Karting Invasion

22 September 2009

The Western Australian mining town of Karratha is gearing up for the biggest karting event in the State, the KTEQ Rentals Western Australian State Karting Championships, to be held in the town next weekend (October 2-4).

Chris Smith behind the wheel of his Monaco Kart. (Pic: Loretta Marwick)

With over 180 entries having been received from all across the state, along with a number of interstate visitors, the Championships are set to be the biggest event ever hosted by the Karratha Kart Club.

“When we first started planning for this event we estimated that we would get around 150 entries, so to have received in excess of 180 entries is a pleasing result for not only the club but the entire Karratha region,” said Karratha Kart Club President Hanz Barth.

“We’ve got people coming from all over the place for this event, including a pair of drivers from Newcastle , a number of visitors from Darwin along with one from Victoria, I’m looking forward to all of our visitors being able to enjoy some great racing and even better Karratha hospitality.

“Many of the accommodation houses in the town will be putting the no vacancy sign up next week and I’m sure everywhere you go in the town you will see a kart racer. It’s going to be great.”

Some of the local competitors set to take to the circuit to test their skills in the State’s most prestigious karting event include the Smith family, Eric, Chris and Matthew along with the Father and Son combination of Filpe and Michael Lino.

Karting is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages with the youngster drivers in action at the Championship being in the Midgets category, for drivers aged between seven and ten years of age.

Local driver Michael Lino will be competing at next weekend's
State Championships. (Pic: Loretta Marwick)

There will be a total of 21 drivers taking to the circuit in the Midgets category at the Championships. While the sport is competitive it also teaches these youngsters, both boys and girls, a lot about car control and driving techniques well before they are old enough to obtain their road licence.

A total of 16 categories will be contested across the event with qualifying for the Championships begin on Friday October 2 and will continue across the weekend with the Championship Finals scheduled for Sunday October 4.

Here is the full Championship entry list.