16th October 2013

Toowoomba kart driver on the comeback trail this weekend - From the Toowoomba Chronicle

(http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba-kart-driver-comeback-trail-gold-coast/2052110/)

Toowoomba kart driver Trent Harders preparing for this week's Race Of Stars at the Gold Coast.

FIVE months after being down and out following a spectacular crash, Toowoomba kart driver Trent Harders makes his return to racing this weekend on the Gold Coast.

Harders has been out of action since fracturing his collarbone and suffering severe back and rib bruising after flipping his Rotax TAG 125 Light class machine in a club event at Greer Park in May.

This week he makes a return to racing after scoring an invitation to compete at the inaugural Race Of Stars meeting at the Gold Coast.

The event runs from Thursday and culminates with finals racing on Saturday.

The top 20 drivers in each kart class from across Australia will be competing while Harders has won a special invitation offered to one driver from each club in Queensland.

Harders is a member of the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Kart Club.

The 19-year-old fourth year apprentice mechanic has been back behind the wheel for about a month preparing for his Gold Coast challenge.

“I’ve needed a hand to get back on track and I’ve been lucky enough to have The Apprenticeship Company get behind me with some great help,” Harders said.

“My helmut was destroyed in the crash, my suit was cut off me and the kart was damaged.

“This is my ninth year of driving and I definitely missed it while I was out.

“A lot of people didn’t think I’d get back into it, but I’m ready to go this week.”