CONSIDERING their early warnings from officials some may be surprised to hear Mark Jenkinson and Denis Churcher are still involved with KartSport Hawke's Bay.
It was late 1967 and the Hawke's Bay Karting Club, as it was known then, was in its infancy. Twelve-year-olds Jenkinson and Churcher had joined the club but immediately put their membership in jeopardy and their career path to F1 champions took a turn for the worst when they towed their karts out to the Roy's Hill track behind their push bikes and lifted them over the fence for a private training session.
The bulldozer driver at the neighbouring refuse tip arrived and sent the pair, along with some mates who had steered the karts while they were being towed, on their way.
Jenkinson yesterday wouldn't give precise details of their warnings.
"Let's just say we were both in hot water and it nearly spelt the end of our fledgling involvement."
Despite this setback both have remained involved with the club and this weekend Jenkinson, the current patron and chairman, will toast 50 consecutive years when he attends the club's Reunion Dinner at the Ellwood Function Centre on Saturday night. Both Churcher and Jenkinson will race in some demonstration races during the second two-day New Zealand Vintage Kart Prix staged as part of the 50th birthday celebrations on Saturday and Sunday.