Illawarra GoKarts @ Picton 2019
23 August 2019 / Story: Jeff Rowe. Photos Natalie Davies & Pam Rowe.
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It’s Saturday morning and the weather is perfect here for what promises to be an exciting morning of racing at the Picton Go Kart Circuit. This is the last race for the year and the spectators are filling the stand and a group of 14 enthusiastic drivers are bitting at the bit to get out onto the track and show their skill. Cameras are out to record the mornings racing, spins and spills.
At last the drivers are called for the drivers briefing and safety equipment fitting. The One Minute call goes out and drivers are assigned there Carts for the first of two races. This is where each driver hopes that their cart has that little bit of extra ‘get up and go’ so they can set a good lap time.
At the end of two 15 minute sessions each drivers lap times are averaged and the fastest times posted. Everyone that drives is a winner as the time spent out on the track is enjoyed by all. ‘Bragging Rights’ do go to the drivers setting the quickest average times.
Gentlemen and lady, there was one female driver racing, Alex Breitsameter, get your engines started. With safety helmet face shields pulled down and the adrenaline starting to flow the first race is on.The spectators roared as the carts came out onto the track. Cameras flash and the stage is set for some fearsome racing. Some drivers choose to spend a lap warming their tyres others were straight into it.
From the start no quarter was given with some friendly ‘argy bargy’, a little tap in the rear or nudge on the side, just so each driver knew they were alive and out there to race. No one was Black Flagged though so all the drivers must have behaved quiet well. 15 minutes goes by quickly when the race is on and before you know it the chequered flag is out and the first race is over.
The drivers now have a break and share their stories and wait for the timing sheet to be printed. From this each driver can see their fastest time and see if any one cart may be a bit quicker than the one they were assigned. Spectators join in and there’s lots of chat and some strategy set for the next session.
With drivers hoping they were assigned what they think is a quicker cart the One Minute call is made. Again carts are assigned, engines started and all 14 are out racing. Never mind any tyre warming this session its 15 minutes of ‘just go for it’. After all ‘Bragging Rights’ are one the line here.
It was another exciting sessions with skill levels improving and lap times coming down. An enthusiastic spectator crowd encouraged the drivers and the results were shown in the final standings.
As everyone that raced was a winner no trophies were awarded. However;
Alex Breitsameter got the ‘Bragging Rights’ for the ladies with an average lap time of 42.001. Well done Alex. Alex was placed 2nd overall.
‘Bragging Rights’ for the gentlemen went to Mark Mansell with an average lap time of 41.948. Well done Mark for finishing 1st overall.
With another fun time had at the Picton Go Karts drivers and spectators headed off to the Picton Hotel for lunch and liquid refreshments. From the noisy chatter and laughter a good lunch was had that rounded off a good day for all.
This event was organised and advertised by Jeff and Pam Rowe the good looking Co-Convenors of the Illawarra Chapter. They would like to thank you for your participation and look forward to sharing many more events with you all.
Story by Jeff Rowe.
Photos by Pam Rowe and Natalie Davies.
