Top speed: Racers take part in the KA3 open seniors at Rochester Kart Club’s track on Saturday. Photos: Michael Lloyd
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
A crowd of 450 people descended on the Rochester Kart Club’s track at the weekend for the Victorian Cup.
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The weather was perfect for the three-day event, allowing the teams to familiarise themselves with the track and the driving conditions.
The drivers were aged as young as nine up to early 50s, with a range of technical abilities providing many opportunities for the racers to get out on to the track.
Karting Victoria state treasurer Phil Lane said the event was one of the most prestigious on the go-karting calendar.
On track: The crowd was big and the number of racers was high.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“The event this weekend is one of Karting Victoria’s most prestigious events because the winners in each class get to wear a black number plate and hold it for the following 12 months,” Lane said.
“We have volunteer officials at this meeting from as far afield as Cobden, Albury, Traralgon and local officials from Bendigo and Seymour.”
Fast: The KA3 race lasted a total of six minutes, with the winner being well-placed for the final race on Sunday.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
With many passionate volunteers at the track ensuring all went off without a hitch, there were equally impassioned drivers preparing for their next race.
Aiden Schweikert, 13, has had four years of experience as a competitive go-kart driver racing in the Australian Kart Championships.
Impressive: Aiden Schweikert, 13, has had four years’ experience of racing go-karts.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
“My dad Justin is a pilot for Jetstar, but I grew up with car racing since I was younger,” Aiden said.
“Over the past few years, I’ve improved and gotten faster. I’ve also had a few good results with placing in the top three.”
Perfect: Marco Motorsport, from Geelong, competed in the Victorian Cup.
Photo by
Michael Lloyd
Aiden usually competes in 15 to 20 meets a year around Victoria.
“Throughout my career as a cadet and junior, I’ve had a couple of top 10s and some other national events,” he said.
Marc Sortino, who heads Marco Motorsport, has been racing on various tracks around Australia for years.
“You can buy a second-hand kart for as little as $4000, a trailer and you can start racing, whether at club meets or take it a little more seriously,” Sortino said.
“Some karts here can go for as much as $20,000 to $30,000.”
Sortino said that for many people, a sport such as go-karting was relatively inexpensive and a team could be started for as little as $10,000 to $12,000.
Lane said it was a great family sport.
“The demographic includes girls, boys, ladies and men aged seven to over 50,” he said.
“It’s also a fantastic sport for volunteers. We’re one big happy family as volunteers, we love it.”
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