ROD GREEN SET FOR OVER 40s TITLE CHASE

Rod Green in action at last year's Coffs Harbour Over 40s Titles. Pic: Cooper's Photography

Gold Coast kart racer Rod Green had his first motor race 43 years ago and he’s still going strong.

This weekend the 63-year old will contest one of his favourite karting events of the year, the Coffs Harbour Over 40s Titles in Northern New South Wales.

Over the years this event has grown into one of the largest karting events in New South Wales with competitors, all over 40 years of age, travelling from all parts of the country to compete.

Having competed in ten of the past 11 years of the race, which was first held in 1995, Green has finished on the podium almost every year to be one of the most successful competitors in the event’s history.

“I’ve been going to the Over 40’s event for 11 years now, it’s a real highlight of the year for me. I even cut my five week trip through Europe short to make sure I was back in time for this weekend,” said Green, who arrived back in Australia yesterday.

“It is a truly unique event with competitors coming from all across the country to compete. The atmosphere of the event is fantastic, everyone respects each other on the track and we’re all in the same boat – being more experienced in life.

“One of the most unique aspects compared to many other karting events is that we race all weekend to try and beat each other, then on the Sunday night everyone comes together for a big social event.”

Green rates the Coffs Harbour circuit as one of his favourites, but believes drivers have to really be on top of their kart set-up given the location of the track and the local weather.

“It’s a beautiful little track and is always well presented for this event,” said Green.

“Every year the weather plays some part in the outcome of the weekend but there’s also lots of little tricks that you learn about the track surface over the years.”

Just shy of 200 entries have been received for this weekend’s event. While official entries have closed, Event Organisers will be accepting take late entries up until race day providing the class hasn’t reached the track capacity of 26 competitors.

Further Information on the event can be found on the Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club website www.coffskart.com