Karting Australia CEO Kelvin O’Reilly and Velcro Country Manager ANZ Matt Browell
Karting Australia has announced a new partnership with the VELCRO Companies, inventor of the original and iconic hook and loop fastener, for the 2026 Australian Kart Championship.
The new partnership for the Championship, which kicks off this weekend (March 13–15) in Coffs Harbour, will see round winners drive into VELCRO® Brand Victory Lane.
For Matt Browell, VELCRO Australia Country Manager ANZ, the partnership with Australia’s highest profile karting championship is an exciting one – both on and off the track.
“While we’re proud to partner with Karting Australia through the Australian Kart Championship, this is more than just a sponsorship platform,” said Browell.
“To showcase the wide variety of VELCRO® Branded products to the karting community is a great prospect, but just as exciting is the environmental benefits of using VELCRO® Branded products in the motorsport industry over traditional fasteners.
“Motorsport is all about performance, efficiency and innovation and VELCRO® Branded products align perfectly with those values. We see this partnership as a great way to demonstrate how simple solutions can deliver practical benefits in high-performance environments.
“We look forward to showcasing and developing our products in the local karting market and using the experience as a way to become a “go to” solution for motorsport competitors and organisations around the world.”
More than 325 entries have been received for the opening round of the 2026 Championship across eight categories and Championship Manager Lee Hanatschek believes the inclusion of VELCRO® Brand Victory Lane adds another element to the prestige of being a round winner.
Karting Australia Chief Operating Officer Lee Hanatschek with a Velcro Victory Lane Winner’s pack (Pic: Pace Images)
“To be partnering with a global brand like Velcro® Brand is an exciting proposition for the Championship,” said Hanatschek.
“While we are looking forward to seeing the round winners pull into VELCRO®Victory Lane, I’m just as thrilled that the Championship and sport of karting can be a platform to showcase the wide uses of VELCRO® Branded products.
“Traditionally, fasteners in motorsport are often one-use products, but VELCRO® Branded solutions can be significantly more environmentally friendly and we look forward to showcasing exactly that.”
VELCRO® Brand is a name that has become synonymous with the fastener industry. Thanks to its revolutionary hook and loop technology, VELCRO® Brand has changed the face of multiple industries from fashion and medical to aerospace.
Velcro Companies offers a wide range of fastening solutions designed to meet the specific needs of the Australian market.
The opening round of the 2026 Australian Kart Championship will begin today in Coffs Harbour, with practice ahead of racing across the weekend.
The Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club is located on Phil Hawthorne Drive, Coffs Harbour. Racing will be shown on 7plus on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon via the 7plus app or online here 7plus.com.au/australian-kart-championship
2026 Schedule – Australian Kart Championship
Round 1 – March 13-15 – Coffs Harbour, NSW
Round 2 – May 15-17 – Ipswich, QLD
Round 3 – July 3-5 – Townsville, QLD
Round 4 – September 4-6 – Seymour, VIC
Round 5 – October 16-18 – Bolivar, SA
ABOUT VELCRO COMPANIES
Velcro Companies is a technology-driven, global organisation providing versatile, strong, reliable and durable fastening solutions that solve problems in simple, elegant and surprising ways.
VELCRO® Brand products are used by businesses and consumers around the world and can be found in the transportation, medical, packaging, construction, personal care, footwear and apparel, industrial and consumer markets.
It has a heritage of innovation spanning more than 60 years and holds more than 400 active patents and numerous trademarks, including the VELCRO® trademark. To buy genuine VELCRO® Brand products and find out more about the company, visit www.velcro.com.au.
