Motor Racing
23 July, 2024
Kart racing getting traction
Hopetoun’s Southern Mallee Kart Club is slowly gaining traction with the reformation of the club after over 30 years in the doldrums.
An enthusiastic band of volunteers and members reformed the club over the last two years to get the track and facilities back up to scratch, and over $290,000 invested in upgrading the
facilities so far.
A club practice day was held in fine but cold weather on Sunday at the track, four kilometres west of Hopetoun.
About 30 members and families attended the day, to get a feel for the track and set their karts up for the circuit.
Lots of trialling and setups were experimented with, including tuning and gearing, with so many variables needing to be fine tuned for optimum times around the circuit.
Tyre pressures were key to a quick time around the track with the cold weather and cold tyres causing numerous spin offs, while some of the novices are beginning to get a good feel for their karts and the circuit.
Word has it the club has been successful in gaining a $40,000 grant to help fund a timing loop
system, signal lights, scales and a new barbecue area...but further details will be announced
officially shortly.
Once these projects are completed, it is proposed to hold the first major race meeting in March and the famous Southern Mallee Titles around September next year.