KARTING FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN IPSWICH

Adam Willison behind the wheel of a Swiss Hutless kart today

Racing machines from various eras of karting took to the Ipswich Kart Circuit today to signify the start of the inaugural KTEQ Rentals Australian Vintage Kart Prix.

With more than 200 karts from various parts of the globe assembled for the Kart Prix, this weekend’s event is the largest of its type ever held in the South Pacific.

Along with the on track action, the biggest attraction at the event is the kart that three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna used at the 1979 World Karting Championships.

The DAP kart was unveiled for the first time in Australia at the Ipswich circuit today, the same day that the late Champion would have turned 54 years old.

“It’s wonderful to see all of these karts take to the track. This event has been more than two years in the planning,” said Queensland Vintage and Historic Club President Richard Littler.

The kart driven by three-time World Formula 1 Champion Ayrton Senna in the 1979 World Karting Championships

“It started as just a dream of a group of drivers from the Vintage Club and after a lot of hard work, it has turned into a reality.

“To have such special guests like Angelo Parrilla, Harm Schuurman, Marie Radne, ‘Tche’ Gascon and John Pizarro along with many others, in attendance it is very much a huge reunion of some of the best drivers of all-time.

“The Senna kart has already attracted enormous interest trackside today, it is an absolute honour for us to be able to have that on display across the weekend.”

This weekend’s event kicks off a double header of karting action in the Ipswich region with the Willowbank venue hosting the opening round of the CIK Stars of Karting Championship next Friday and Saturday.

The Australian Vintage Kart Prix continues tomorrow and Sunday with the on-track action beginning at 9am Saturday and 8:30am Sunday.

The Ipswich Kart Club is located on Champions Way, Willowbank.

Admission is $10 for adults while children under 16 gain free entry.