New circuit, new records
Wimmera Kart Racing Club members are ‘ecstatic’ with an upgraded track that has added 330 metres onto the circuit and included a complete resurfacing.
Wimmera Kart Racing Club president Remo Luciani said the club hoped the upgrades would encourage more participation and improve the experience for kart drivers.
“The Wimmera Kart Racing Club was fortunate to receive a $153,706 grant, which spring boarded us into action to rejuvenate the whole circuit,” he said.
“Not only did we do an extension of 330 metres; but we were also able to then do part two of the project, which was resurfacing the rest of the track.
“The new extension enables greater grid capacity and gives us better participation opportunities to attract more people to the club for events.
“It’s a totally new circuit, so new lap records will be set next weekend on our club day.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic with the asphalting, which is the same product used on the Formula One track in Adelaide; a special emulsion mix that is alcohol, fuel and heat resistant.”
Mr Luciani said Centre State Asphalting resurfaced and extended the track.
“The tyre wear and the grip has been amazing since we’ve been on the circuit, so it’s a good mixture of grip and tyre wear for the surface,” he said.
“It’s been a mammoth effort by all club members to get it all up and running and the whole club has been behind the project.
“It’s a great thing for the Wimmera and Horsham, attracting competitors from across the state and interstate.”
Mr Luciani said the project was possible through motorsport infrastructure grants offered by the State Government.
“The grants were specifically aimed and directed at motorsports for the first time,” he said.
“For the grand opening of our upgraded track we have Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Danielle Green coming next weekend and we are incorporating the event into our club day. We do hope to attract 50 entries from across the state and I did notice in our entries already that we have some South Australian entries.
“Then, on August 13 and 14 we host round four of the Victorian Country Series, which we hope to see about 250 entries plus their families and visitors. That will bring 1000 people to town that weekend.”