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12th February 2014

Motorbike champion geared for kart action - From the Queensland Times

http://www.qt.com.au/news/motorbike-champion-gears-for-kart-action/2167594/

ON TRACK: Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale tests out his driving skills on a go-cart yesterday. (Pic: QT/Rob Williams)

THE name “Mick Doohan” has long been associated with the sport of motorcycle racing.

But now the five-time World 500cc Grand Prix champion is becoming invested in another high-speed passion: karting.

As the appointed chairman for Karting Australia, the 48-year-old travelled to the Ipswich Kart Club yesterday to launch the inaugural KTEQ Rentals Australian Vintage Kart Prix.

Mr Doohan said the event, held next month, would celebrate the sport’s heritage and featured some of the most influential people in the karting world.

“Karting is where all of the top motorsport drivers started their careers and is also a genuine form of motorsport in its own right,” he said.

“With restored and replica karts from the 1950s through 1991 in action during the event, the sights and sounds of these fantastic machines will be impressive.”

More than 250 karts from various parts of Australia and overseas are expected to feature in the event, making it the largest event of its type held in the southern hemisphere.

“My 11-year-old son Jack has been karting for about three years now,” Mr Doohan said.

“We’ll certainly be out here to check out all the karting action when the event kicks off.”

The event is organised by the Queensland Vintage and Historic Karting Inc in conjunction with Karting Australia.

To celebrate the launch, Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale got behind the wheel of one of the small, four-wheeled vehicles and cut a few laps around the Ipswich Kart Club circuit.

After some high-speed racing, an adrenaline-pumped Cr Pisasale said the experience was “far more fun than a council meeting”.

He said the upcoming karting event confirmed Ipswich as the premiere destination for motorsport in south-east Queensland.

The three-day event will take place from March 21 to 23 at the Ipswich Club in Willowbank.