And they’re racing: Dominic Albanese at the Geelong Karting Club track.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
AS MARK Webber and Casey Stoner achieve podium finishes on motor racing tracks around the world, a Geelong track is producing winners as well.
The sound of karts buzzing around the purpose-built track at Corio’s Beckley Park has become synonymous with hosting major championships.
Geelong Karting Club operates the track, virtually the home of the sport’s national championships when hosted in Victoria.
The tradition continues when the club hosts the 2011 Australian Rotax National Championships this weekend.
The event attracts competitors from all over Australia to compete for the coveted Rotax Nationals Green Plate.
President Denis Hogan said the club simply organised and successfully ran more major karting events than any other in Australia.
“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that to win a Geelong Open meeting is at the pinnacle of the sport,” he said.
”Geelong Kart Club has simply been Australia’s number-one trend-setting club when it comes to innovation in the sport of karting.”
A large group formed the club in 1960 under the leadership of motorcycle dealer Lyall O’Brien.
It hasn’t always been smooth running, with the club almost folding in the early ’70s amid a lack of senior members and threatening to turn to mini-bikes. Denis said the club survived the crisis to have plans for Beckley Park drawn up by 1979.
“A track on the Melbourne side of Geelong was more desirable and closer for Melbourne karters,” Denis explained.
“With the Victorian Road Race club, we built the first 750-metre sprint and one-kilometre road race circuit on the east coast of Australia.”
The track was tested immediately, successfully hosting a 1979 Victor-ian Championships.
Since then the club has hosted nationals in 1986, 1992 and 1998, a Bicentennial Kart Prix in 1988 and many state titles.
Famous drivers to have raced at Beckley Park include Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom, Garth Tander, Jason Bright, Russell Ingall and Formula One stars Mark Webber and David Coulthard.
“These events are not easy to run because of the many regulations we have to adhere to,” Denis said, “but as a club we always put on a great show and hopefully this weekend is no exception.”
Denis proudly listed the club’s achievements including introduction of a timing system rivalling Formula One standards for accuracy.
“Geelong Karting Club is in a league of its own when it comes to moving forward with new ideas to improve facilities for karters and we have more improvements listed for completion in the next couple of years.
“We’d love to see more people here enjoying the best sport in the world.” Denis said more information about the club was available at geelongkartingclub.com.au.
