Karting Is A Family Affair For The Smith Clan

25 September 2009

A weekend conference in Hamilton Island six years ago changed Karratha’s Smith family in a fun, adrenaline rushing way.

After returning from Queensland, where they tried their hand at karting during a corporate day, Eric and Helen Smith got behind the wheel of a real racing kart and the pair were instantly hooked.

Eric Smith will be one of the local competitors in action
at next weekend's Championships. (Pic: Loretta Marwick)

Next weekend Eric, along with his two eldest sons – Chris and Matt – will be competing in the KTEQ Rentals Western Australian State Championships on their home track while Helen and the rest of the family cheer the trio on.

“You could really say that we were instantly hooked,” said Eric Smith.

“I’ve always enjoyed my motorsport but karting is something that we can all enjoy as a family. These days it is just the three of us boys that race but Helen used to compete as well and our youngest son who is four is itching to get out there and have a go.

“Over the past six years the sport has been great to us as a family, it has provided us all with a common interest, and allowed us to spend some good quality time as a family when we all go away to events.”

While the competitive nature of the sport drives Eric, he also rates highly the lessons racing has taught his two teenage boys for when they get behind the wheel of a road car.

“These days you see a lot of 17 year olds out there who get behind the wheel of a car and haven’t got their heads screwed on right, but by racing karts I think that it has given the boys a good head start when it comes to being able to control a road car,” said Smith.

Matthew Smith will be taking on the best junior drivers
in next weekend's event. (Pic: Loretta Marwick)

“While a kart is different to drive than a car, the principles are all the same and it is great for young kids to be able to learn how to react quickly in different situations. They also learn in a short amount of time that the track is for racing, not the road.”

The Smith trio have spent hundreds of hours preparing for next weekend’s Championships that begin with qualifying on Friday October 2. Heat races will be contested on Saturday October 3 following by the Championship Finals on Sunday October 4.

Over 180 entries have 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.