Quick news grabs from around the karting globe.
CLUB – Ballarat Kart Club will celebrate its 60th anniversary next month with a function at the yacht club on the Lake Wendouree foreshore on Saturday, July 2. “Come and celebrate the Ballarat Kart Club’s rich and proud history at this family friendly event with those who have been a part of the club over the past 60 years” the club informed KartSportNews. “Please contact us if you have any club photos, videos or items of memorabilia to share for the evening.” To attend, tickets must be purchased before June 25 – see HERE.
SHIFTER LEGEND – David Sera is adding a new course to his Kart Class coaching program. Sera has recruited American star Danny Formel to present a new “Art of KZ” course. Sera said Formal is one of the best shifter kart drivers in the world, having racked up countless victories and championships (including three SuperNats wins) over the past 15 years. The five episode Art of KZ program includes modules on race starts, brake bias, carburation, race lines (which differ to TaG driving) and shifting gears.
STATE TITLE – Warwick Kart Club and Karting Queensland have announced that William Yarwood’s Project X Racing is the naming rights sponsor for the 2022 Queensland State Karting Championship. At the time of publication, over 270 entries had already been received, with drivers coming from every state. Several classes had reached capacity (with reserves lists now established), however only one has been approved to run an oversubscribed ABCD format (KA3 Junior). The event takes place at Warwick on July 1 to 3. Entries close June 23.
STREET EVENT – The annual Rock Island Grand Prix will include a new teams racing event for 2022. Drivers from the same club or track can collect teams points, regardless of which class they are racing. There must be at least four drivers from the same club to be eligible for points. All points earned by the club’s drivers will be totalled, then divided by the number of drivers to determine the 2022 Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix Track Team of The Year. The winning team will receive a large banner to display at their home track or club. The GP takes place on September 3-4.
INDUSTRY – RaceMax informs us of a new appointment: “Introducing Natasha! Natasha has joined the Racemax team and will take over day to day operations, sales orders and dispatch at Racemax headquarters. Natasha has been dirt karting for a few years and grew up with her brother and dad racing. She is a great asset to the team and we are excited to share her enthusiasm.”
There are also changes to shop and dispatch hours, the shop operating Monday to Thursday for sales & enquires with dispatch (including website orders) usually happening on these days. Friday orders will be sent the following Monday.
INDUSTRY – FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has announces the appointment of Tanya Kutsenko as the organisation’s first ever Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisor. Ukrainian born Kutsenko has years of international motor sport experience assisting ASNs and working on various projects to increase revenues & motor sport participation. She will develop and embed EDI into the FIA global strategy, designing initiatives and plans to ensure sustainability of the framework over time and defining targets in line with world class organisations.
“Equality, diversity and inclusion are a key priority of my mandate as FIA President” Ben Sulayem stated. “In line with our strategy to promote greater diversity, the appointment of a dedicated and experienced Advisor in charge of these issues will allow us to accelerate inclusion and double participation in motor sport.”
STICKERS – We have KartSportNews.com stickers ready to post out. They come in packs of 10 and are already contour cut to make it easy to apply to your kart or helmet (or car or trailer!). Printed in Australia, the stickers have a clear gloss laminate to protect the inks from petrol and cleaners. More on the Merch page HERE.
MEDIA – KartSport New Zealand has opened submissions to find its Photographer of the Year for 2022. The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers who submit an entry by July 8. The winners (there are a couple of categories) will be presented at the organisation’s National Conference Awards Night on August 20. More information on the KSNZ website HERE.
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BULLIES BITCHIN‘ – As with any organisation it seems these days, AIDKA has been having issues with misconduct via social media, publishing the following on Facebook this week:
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL AIDKA LICENCE HOLDERS
Sadly we are seeing an increase in complaints about intimidation, bullying and generally unacceptable behaviour via social media in OUR SPORT. This must stop as of now.
AIDKA does have a Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy (which is in the 2022 AIDKA Rule Book). We would like to take this opportunity to ask people to familiarise themselves with the Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy.
Penalties can be, and have been imposed (including a suspension for up to 3 months for the first offence) for any person deemed to be in breach.
For those who have AIDKA members under 18 we encourage you have the conversation with them regarding what IS and IS NOT acceptable. Some discussion topics are listed below.
Be nice. Mean behaviour is not OK. Make it clear that you expect your kids to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others post.
Think twice before hitting “enter.” Remind them that what they post can be used against them. Once they hit enter their comments cannot be taken back.
Follow the “WWGS?” (What Would Grandma Say?) rule. Teach kids not to share anything on social media that they wouldn’t want their teachers, parents, AIDKA Executive — and yes, grandma — to see.
Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important. Go through them together to make sure your kids understand each one. Also, explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend.
Don’t “friend” strangers. “If you don’t know them, don’t friend them.” This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb.
Defriend “friends” who are harassing or bullying them. Encourage your kids to leave chats, groups or defriend people who make them feel uncomfortable or upset. Or if they feel they are being harassed or bullied.
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