Sport
22 March, 2024
Kart club reopening a success
The official reopening of the Southern Mallee Kart Club's track at Hopetoun Sunday, March 10 has shown what small communities are capable of.
It was the result of over two years of work by members of the club to redevelop the track, supported by contributions from across the Hopetoun district.
Karting first started officially in Hopetoun in 1966, first on an oiled dirt track, and then on a bitumen track in the 1980s. Former members of the Hopetoun and Southern Mallee kart clubs were on hand to cut the ribbon to officially reopen the track.
First on track was the club’s last racing member of the 1990s Ash Mitchell, who has since achieved great results whilst racing across Victoria, including claiming the Victorian Country Series title in 2022.
Despite the heat, a large crowd was on hand to watch as members took to the track in a practice session as part of the track’s first real ‘shakedown.’
President Ryan Thurgar however said that the day was really about thanking the wider community who have contributed roughly $300,000 in equipment and materials to restoring the track to its former glory.
The redevelopment means Hopetoun is likely the smallest town in Australia with an official kart club, demonstrating what communities in rural areas are capable of when they band together.
The club will continue to hold a number of social practice days for members, while also pursuing further funding for the last pieces of infrastructure required to hold races.
The independent model adopted by the club and already in practice in Geelong means that Hopetoun will have the most affordable racing possible, attracting racers from across Victoria and even South Australia and New South Wales. The club is also in negotiations to hold the newly created independent AASA Victorian State Title in the future.
The track at Hopetoun is widely regarded as an exciting and technical track despite being smaller by todays standards. Past members who took to the track for some laps remarked that they were reminded how fun the track really is.
Anyone over the age of six looking at getting started in karting can find more information by visiting www.smkc.com.au or speaking to a club member.