Karting Australia has confirmed racing will resume on a state-by-state basis as the individual State Government restrictions allow.
In a webinar with clubs this week, KA CEO Kelvin O’Reilly said that competition will resume at different times around the country.
“It would be easier if it all happened on a National basis but that is not going to be the case” O’Reilly stated.
“We are preparing for States to come back online for competition at different times. The key elements are that the clubs in each state need to be properly prepared and have done the planning and assessment work to be COVIDSafe.”
A key factor in the decision to allow racing are State Government restrictions that forbid gatherings for competitive purposes (as opposed to social and/or training purposes).
O’Reilly confirmed Karting Australia is not prepared to allow racing in a state until a clear direction is given from Government that competition is specifically allowed in that state.
For example, Karting Australia will not allow competition in NSW, indicating the current NSW COVID restrictions do not allow people to gather for competition purposes.
To quote nsw.gov.au: Activities not permitted
– Indoor sporting events
– Local sporting competitions involving more than 10 people.
advertisement
Interestingly, while Karting Australia NSW will not allow racing in that state, Karting NSW Inc does.
“It is our intention to recommence competition events from 30 May 2020
whilst remaining in strict compliance with current State Health Orders” KNSW’s Ilona Alsters said in a recent KNSW statement.
The statement said KNSW will be making a number of changes to its Rules & Regulations to ensure compliance with legislation and social distancing when returning to competition. These rules & regs can be found HERE.
Racing is scheduled to go green at Lismore and Orange this Sunday (May 31) followed by Griffith and Coffs Harbour on June 7. Field size is capped at no more than 10 per race.
As far as KA competition is concerned, it looks like the Northern Territory will be the first to go back to actual race meetings.
“While competition is allowed up there shortly, the venues need to comply with a number of aspects from the Government” Lee Hanatschek, KA COO, added.
“We are working closely with the NT and working through what they need to comply with to allow competition.”
KA’s ‘Road Out Of Lockdown’ plan anticipates a return to local club level racing in July.
advertisement