Revved up for the art of karting

Despite his right rear tyre coming off the hub, Rowan Chang, of Christchurch, manages to hold off...
Despite his right rear tyre coming off the hub, Rowan Chang, of Christchurch, manages to hold off Greg Ryan, of South Canterbury, in a 256-510cc karting race at Lee Stream on Saturday. PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN
Grassroots motorsport is what Dunedin’s club president called the karting experience at Lee Stream at the weekend, and there was plenty of it.

About 190 competitors from throughout the South Island were there to tear up the turf at the New Zealand Grass Kart Championship.

The event was hosted by the Dunedin Grass Kart Club and club president John Tielkes said the kart engines ranged between 85cc and 450cc.

Classes ranged from midgets to superkarts and a couple of women’s categories.

Mr Tielkes said the club had grown in the past three years.

Max McNabb, 14, of Dunedin, got involved in the sport about four years ago.
Max McNabb, 14, of Dunedin, got involved in the sport about four years ago.
It was the first time the club had hosted the championship alone, instead of running it with South Otago.

It was grassroots motorsport, which was budget-friendly and fun for the family, he said.

Max McNabb, 14, of Dunedin, got involved about four years ago.

He was in the junior open at the weekend and said he had mates in the sport from Ashburton, Timaru and Christchurch.

The frame for his kart was imported from Adelaide and it had a GasGas 85 engine.

His father, Mark, was there in support, but also as a Dunedin club committee member, helping to set up.

Mr McNabb said it was a team effort to put the event together.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz

 

 

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