Shot in arm for karting

NEW TERRITORY: Kart Sport Whangarei president Terry Sage is looking forward to seeing the new portion of the Maunu track in action for the first time during tomorrow's race day.PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Kart Sport Whangarei's Maunu track can now host bigger races

After about 15 years, kart racing in Northland has received a massive boost with a new stretch of track being added to the Maunu track - costing about half of the $120,000 estimated thanks to club support.

The Business Coaching New Zealand Raceway on Austin Road has been extended by about a third, lifting its rating on the Kart Sport New Zealand regulations to allow it to host bigger race meetings in the process.

Kart Sport Whangarei president Terry Sage was excited about what the extension meant for the sport in Northland, saying we could see returns as early as January even though the track officially opens tomorrow.

"It's not just me it's a group thing [because] the whole club has got together," Sage commented. "We got a quote of about $120,000 and we've managed to do it for nearly half because club members have pitched in.

"The idea to extend was first mooted late 90s but dropped off the radar because there was talk that the whole track might move elsewhere, but that never eventuated. So it came again up about six years ago [and] it took a long time to get the money together.

"Apart from elongating the track, it's also given us a 'C' rating which is the next step up from where we were within the Kart Sport New Zealand's regulations - which means we can now host other clubs up here and also run larger events."

Sage said one event that immediately jumped to mind which the club would be interested in hosting, was a round of the Top Half Series.

"Quite a few locals are involved with [the series]," he said, adding that six clubs were involved and four get picked each year to host a round.

"[First up for us though] is the Summer Slam Event in January [11 and 12], we're now allowed to open that up to all the other clubs and invite them up whereas before we weren't able to do that. Previously we were able to run about 60 karts and now we could easily get over 100, so great for the area and great for the club."

Tomorrow the track will be officially opened by Whangarei mayor Sheryl Mai at 10am before racing starts, with a celebrity race taking place at about 1pm.