Karting odds and ends from the past couple of weeks…
PCR SHOP – Take a look through Scuderia PCR Australia:
SHUT DOWN – We closed the COVID-19 reader poll early because, with all the cancellations and postponements, then government regulation, it become pretty much irrelevant. At the time we shut it down, 55.6% said No (racing should not be suspended) and 44.4% said Yes.
GONE ONLINE – Lots of karters are into online racing. With the current COVID-19 situation, eSports have been the big winner with competitors able to take part without leaving their home. Quite a number of kart clubs have organised online racing series for their members. Organisers of the Victorian Country Series have done likewise, running an iRacing event on March 29, the date the real kart racing should have been taking place. The Darwin Karting Association says a number of their members “will swap their 30HP TaG karts for 650HP Mustang and Commodore Supercars in a 5 round series around the world. The series will be live streamed with local commentators Teagan Peck and Matt Cavanagh.” Look up your club’s website or Facebook page to see if it has an online series you can join.
- Online sim racing is the topic of the current KartSportNews reader poll – go HERE and cast your vote as the poll is about to close!
CORONA DATA – Australian Government Department of Health website with the latest official information about the virus is HERE. Info about COVID-19 and sport is HERE.
TODT TALKS – An address by FIA President Jean Todt:
DISTANT BUT UNITED – WSK Promotion produced this video to remind everyone “wherever you are in the world, this darkness shall pass and we will be back, bigger and stronger than ever. We ask you to take a moment to watch this emotional tribute that is dedicated to all of us, to our passion, to our lives…”
YAMAHA – It’s not all doom and gloom! Karting NSW has secured sponsorship from Yamaha Australia to support the Yamaha Clubman classes run at the Retro Karting Australia series rounds. “Yamaha Australia has provided Quick Shades and also merchandise to be given away as prizes to Yamaha competitors at those rounds” the organisation posted on social media. “Thank you to Yamaha Australia for the support! And for those of us that still have that Clubman sitting in the shed, here is your opportunity to get it out and racing again under Karting NSW and Retro Karting Australia.” (Ed: Well, when we’re allowed to go racing again.)
TOP TEN – Steve Worland, the writer of GO!, posted a bit of a good news about the film late last month. “Go!, or Go Karts as it is known in the rest of the world, is currently in the Top 10 of all movies on Netflix in the US, and has been for a day or so, hitting number 9 yesterday. It’s an astonishing result for a little Aussie family film and a fitting outcome for everyone who so tirelessly worked on it.” Bravo!
AKC LADIES – After the conclusion of Round 1 of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE, young Queenslander Alice Buckley leads the chase to takeout the 2020 Ladies Trophy.
WHO’S IN? – Meanwhile, The Noise (Kev Davies) is collecting the names of ladies who might be interested in a Ladies Championship meeting at a date and venue TBA. Look him up on Facebook!
LOCKDOWN SHENANIGANS #1– What do Karting drivers get up to when they are bored during lock down. Robert deHaan shows us what he gets up to:
LOCKDOWN SHENANIGANS #2 – The struggle is real. How are you getting your fix? Vid posted by Eli Tunstall.
LOCKDOWN SHENANIGANS #3 – What your kart wants.
Hang in there, Champ.
TRAINING WITH BAS – International karting star Bas Lammers shows some of the strength and fitness training techniques he uses:
SGK IS GO – St George Kart Centre advise they open and trading almost as usual. Online & phone orders plus freight deliveries continue without change, however pick-up and delivery visitors are restricted to the showroom only. All visitors are required to use the hand sanitiser provided & respect social distances implemented by the government. “SGK are continually cleaning common areas wherever possible. We appreciate your business & will do whatever we can to service your requirements in a clean and safe manner.”
$0.25M UPGRADE – Karting NSW has announced that Manning Valley Kart Club has secured funding to resurface its track. “The Manning Valley Kart Club prides itself on developing young motorsport talent in the region and soon the club will have an upgraded track to make the sport that much more attractive for local enthusiasts” said Mr Stephen Bromhead MP, Member for Myall Lakes. The club has been operating at the existing site for more than 38 years and is keen to provide a facility that promotes family involvement and enjoyment of the sport. The Chair of KNSW, Ms Alsters, congratulated the committee of Manning Valley Kart Club for their dedication and hard work on being able to bring this project to fruition. “We look forward to being able to offer yet another re-surfaced track to KNSW Members”.
MEMBERSHIPS EXTENDED – As a result of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Ipswich Kart Club will extend everyone in the club’s membership by free months. “Anyone that has renewed since the 1st of January this year up until today will automatically receive three month extension. Anyone renewing from today until the end of the year will receive the bonus 3 months on top of their renewal” the club confirmed. “We really hope this helps everyone get passed (sic) these uncertain times and be able to enjoy karting again as soon as we are able to re-commence. Please everyone keep clean and safe and hopefully see you all again trackside soon” ~ Scott Howard (President IKC)