10th June 2014

Beating her dad best part of karting race day - From the Gladstone Observer

(http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/racing-draws-in-families/2282968/)

Sixteen year old Alex Rogers upset the apple kart when she overtook her father in the Sportsman Light class at Gladstone Kart Club on Sunday.

“Beating my dad was the best,” the Calliope youngster said.

She said speed, adrenaline and a desire to win were the biggest draw cards for karting enthusiasts.

“I’ll catch her next time,” Alex’s father Lyall Rogers vowed after the race.

The friendly rivalry epitomised the genial atmosphere at the meet.

“It’s a family event and it has to be because without the kids there’s no future and parents put in so much work too,” Gladstone Kart Club president Gavin Dicinoski said.

“The kids that are racing learn driving skills that will help them for the rest of their lives.”

He said Gladstone Kart Track is one of the best complexes in Queensland.

Karters found the track slippery to begin with, but as the karts cleaned the track and laid rubber down it became more manageable.

Rae Fothergill, who has been karting for more than 25 years, says Gladstone is quite a technical track.

“If you can master this track you can race anywhere,” the Wurdong Heights resident said.

Mr Fothergill said the best overtaking zone is turn 2.

“I wait for a little mistake and then pounce,” he said.

Boyne Island resident Ross Weaver started racing this year through his son’s involvement.

He raced in the TAG100 class and blamed a bad start on his poor performance, coming in at the back of the field.

“I gassed it a bit late, the start’s very important,” he said.

Results:

• TAG100 – Rae Fothergill
• Cadets – Josh Colavecchio
• Sportsman Light – Russell Achilles
• Junior National Light – Sam Battye
• Junior National Heavy – Judd Porter
• Sportsman Heavy – Travis Martin
• Sportsman Superheavy – Anthony Myers
• TAG125 Light – Shannon Pacher
• TAG125 Heavy – Travis Martin
• Junior Performance – Jack Bussey