Our Club: Keen karters enjoy life in fast lane

Some may call them petrol heads, but in reality kart racing requires excellent fitness, a drive to succeed, attention to detail and steady nerves.
According to Rotorua Karters Inc club captain Zane Willis extremely close and competitive racing brings quite an adrenaline rush.
"At more than 100km/h with your backside just 20 millimetres off the ground it's a legal speed rush," Mr Willis said.
Rotorua Karters Inc was formed in 1990 and now has close to 100 members. Mr Willis said with the club's new $3.5 million facility in Mamaku becoming fully operational next year he expects the club to grow into one of the leading kart clubs in the country.
"Building a track to meet international specifications has been a nine-year struggle but with the end in sight New Zealand's karting community is lining up for the opportunity," he said.
"At 1200m long, our track will meet all the international specifications with special high-grip bitumen along with high-speed straights, tight hair-pins, flowing corners and a technical sweeper. This track has it all."
Kart racing gets you as close to a Formula 1 experience as you can get - at a fraction of the cost.
Mr Willis said people could get into karting for between $2000 and $4000, but for the serious top-level competitor "$20,000 will have your eyes popping out".
There are a number of age-based classes with cadets starting as young as 6. Engines and technology increases to include electric starters, water-cooled motors and six-speed gearboxes.
But Mr Willis said you don't have to be a racer to become involved.
"We are always encouraging social members to join up and become involved in this exciting form of motorsport. Track stewards, flag marshalls and race control are some of the many jobs that get you close to the action."
The club boasts plenty of top drivers, experienced officials and engine builders, who Mr Willis said were more than happy to help out new members.
"Darren Aislabie is a multi-New Zealand champion and Hayden Pedersen recently retained his NZ3 title. Daniel Dufty is one of the top shifter drivers in the country.
"We look forward to the day when New Zealand will host a large world class kartsport event. It will be fantastic to see New Zealand compete against a full field of international racers," Mr Willis said.
 
WHO: Rotorua Karters Inc
WHERE: Once complete their clubrooms will be at the new kart track at Off Road NZ in Mamaku
WHEN: Monthly committee meetings, but you can race almost every weekend
COST: Annual membership starts at $30, $60 for families
HOW: For information or to join up go to www.rotoruakarters.co.nz