21/04/2007

MEDIA RELEASE - KARTERS ARE URGED TO GET BEHIND FATALITY FREE FRIDAY

Young drivers all across Australia are urged to show their support for ‘Fatality Free Friday’, a day aimed to see a zero road toll across the country next Friday, April 27.

While commonly known as a sport for the younger generation people of all ages can enjoy karting with children as young as seven competing behind the wheel. The sport teaches these children, both boys and girls, basic driving skills well before they are able to obtain their road licence.

The first ‘Fatality Free Friday’ aims to see a zero road toll for 24 hours, and people are being asked to sign a pledge to concentrate on safe driving and road use for the day.

Fatality Free Friday coincides with the first United Nations Global Road Safety Week from 23-29 April.

The Australian Karting Association (AKA) is urging all members to get behind the cause of ‘Fatality Free Friday’ with the aim of achieving a zero road toll for 24 hours.

“Karting is regarded as not only a breeding ground for the future stars of motorsport but it is also a well known way that young children are able to learn the basic driving skills and car control many years before they are allowed to drive on the road,” said AKA President Richard Erdmann.

“Over the past 10 years I can count the number of members which we have lost in fatal road accidents on one hand, while this is a low number from the 10,000 plus members we’ve had over this time it is still too many. I urge everyone to get behind Fatality Free Friday and sign the safe driving pledge.”

Ford Performance Racing’s V8 Supercar driver Mark Winterbottom started his motorsport career in karts at the age of 10 and he believes the lessons learnt on the karting track have not only assisted him in his racing career but also when he is driving on the road.

Winterbottom, along with all of his V8 Supercar counterparts, recently signed the pledge to concentrate on safe driving and road use.

“By the time I got my road licence I’d already been racing for almost six years and racing karts at 110 km/h taught me respect for a motor vehicle,” said Winterbottom.

“I didn’t have the need to go out on the street to try and get a thrill, you’ve got to know your limits. A racetrack is there to be raced on and push the car to the limits whereas the road is there to be used safely and get from A to B.

“While I’ve signed the pledge for ‘Fatality Free Friday’ everyday for me is the same, each time I get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle safety is the number one thing and speeding is always left until I’m on the race circuit.”

Every club which is hosting an event sanctioned by the AKA this weekend has been provided with the pledge form for Adults, Children and Families. People can also show their support of ‘Fatality Free Friday’ by signing the guestbook here.

To get behind ‘Fatality Free Friday’ please visit www.fatalityfreefriday.com

UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUSTRALIAN KARTING

April

New South Wales
21/22 - Griffith (Southern Zone Rd 3), Newcastle
22 - Coffs Harbour (State of Origin), Sapphire, Sydney
28 - Canberra, Central Coast (King of the Dirt Twilight), Manning Valley (Day/Night)
28/29 - Combined Districts
29 - Forbes, Goulburn, Grafton

Northern Territory
21 - Club Championship (night) - Darwin

Queensland
21 - Mt Isa, Sugar City Titles - Mackay
22 - Gold Coast
28 - Townsville
29 - Junior Super Series Rd 1 - Bundaberg

South Australia
21 - Broken Hill
29 - Festival State Cup Gp A Rd 2 - Whyalla

Tasmania
29 - Closed Meeting - All Clubs

Victoria
21/22 Golden Power Series Rd 2 - Bendigo
29 - Closed Club Day - All Clubs

Western Australia
21/22 - Clubrun Weekend - All Clubs
28 - City of Perth Title Final – Hurricane

Archived News

Karters all across Australia are urged to show their support for ‘Fatality Free Friday’.

Former karting champion Mark Winterbottom recently signed the pledge to concentrate on safe driving and road use

Winterbottom in action aboard his Orrcon Ford Performance Racing Falcon