The evening recognised individuals whose achievements and service have shaped Australian karting from grassroots to the international stage.
Karting Australia celebrated the sport’s finest contributors at the 2026 Honours and Awards Dinner, held at the Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes in South Australia on Saturday night in conjunction with the annual Building Better Kart Clubs Conference.
The evening recognised individuals whose achievements and service have shaped Australian karting from grassroots to the international stage.
The evening brought together club leaders, officials, volunteers and industry figures from across the country to reflect on the strength of the karting community and to honour those who have made a lasting impact on the sport’s growth, professionalism and culture.
Darrell Smith, Mark Winterbottom and the late Jim Morton were inducted into the Karting Australia Hall of Fame.
Smith was recognised for a career spanning international racing success and global technical leadership with Rotax, highlighting the professional pathways karting can provide.
Winterbottom’s induction acknowledged one of the most successful karting careers in Australian history, which formed the foundation for his Supercars Championship and Bathurst 1000 victories.
Morton was honoured for his role as a pioneering importer, team owner and mentor whose work with Tony Kart Australia helped launch the careers of many of Australia’s top circuit racers.
Life Memberships was bestowed upon Chris Robinson, Kim Light, Jenny Taylor, Phil Lane and Trish Bartlett for their outstanding and sustained service, while the late Barry Fisher was also honoured with Life Membership in recognition of his lasting contribution to the sport.
Across officiating, governance, administration, event delivery and grassroots development, each recipient has dedicated decades of volunteer effort to strengthening the sport in their respective states and nationally. Their collective contributions have supported safe, fair and professionally run competition while fostering the next generation of competitors and officials.
The Impact on Karting Award was presented to Craig Denton
The Impact on Karting Award was presented to Craig Denton, recognising more than four decades of influence as a competitor, administrator and international delegate. Denton’s leadership in governance reform, safety, and international representation has helped guide Australian karting through significant periods of development.
Karting Australia CEO Kelvin O’Reilly noted that the evening was not only about celebrating individual achievements, but also about recognising the values that underpin the sport.
“Our sport is built on the passion and commitment of people like those recognised. From volunteers at local clubs to those representing Australia on the world stage, their contributions ensure karting continues to thrive,” said O’Reilly.
Held alongside the Building Better Kart Clubs Conference, the dinner formed part of a broader weekend focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing and strengthening the future of the sport.
The 2026 Honours and Awards Dinner served as a reminder that while karting is a starting point for many champions, it is also sustained by the dedication of officials, volunteers and leaders whose legacy extends far beyond the track.
