Tri-school go-kart competition gets going

Charlie Tze Li Lau, 4, Tiago Oliver, 3, Owen Gardner, 3, Pat Borman (back left) and builder Jordan Gardner from Safe House Construction. Photo / George Novak

Children in Mount Maunganui are getting a taste of the racing life as a tri-school go-karting competition gets under way.

Children from Olive Tree Childcare, Arataki Primary School and St Thomas More Catholic School will design and build their own go-karts before taking to the racecourse.

Though small scale, with kids from ages 3 to 10 racing in little wooden karts around a carpark, the stakes are no less high.

Prizes will be awarded for the fastest karts and the highest points accumulated.

Olive Tree Childcare administrator Lindie du Toit said the kids were "going nuts", getting right into the swing of things as they built, painted and named their go-karts before the big races later next month.

"It's really good learning experience for the kids, they are learning science, math, art, design, technology - everything that goes into building a go-kart," Ms du Toit said.

There would be three race days, one each held at the different schools.

The first race was on June 12 at St Thomas More Catholic School.

Olive Tree Childcare has invited residents of the Somerville retirement village across the street to come help the children build their go-karts and watch the races.

"They will come and dress up in the different colours of the go-kart teams to cheer them on."

Ms du Toit said it was all about getting the little community in that area near Arataki Park together.

Each school was allowed three teams of racers, one person sitting in the kart, two pushing and a track crew plus supporters cheering in the crowd.

ITM donated the wood and Wheel Co donated wheels, but the schools were still looking for prize sponsors.