NEW LOOK NATIONAL EXECUTIVE FOR AUSTRALIAN KARTING ASSOCIATION

There is a new look National Executive of the Australian Karting Association following the Annual General Meeting held in Queensland at the weekend.

After holding the National Vice-President position since 2007, New South Wales’ Simon Whiting was voted in as the new National President with Victorian David Murray as the new National Vice-President.

Whiting first became involved in the sport in 1987 and over the past 20 years has held various positions within the Association, including several years on the New South Wales Executive.

“I’ve seen a lot of things throughout my time in the sport, some good, some bad, but overall it is a great sport and provides so much enjoyment for so many people,” said Whiting.

“I believe we are entering a new era of karting and I look forward to leading the Association into these exciting times.

“Last year was quite a challenging one in the fact that the licence holders have taken up the transponders as the AKA has implemented the new timing and CM:S system.

“Over the last 12 months we have returned a considerable amount of the sport’s money to the clubs and states in the licensing system and we are hoping to continue to return more to over the coming years.

“The implementation of the CM:S system will provide the Association with more statistics and a clearer understanding of the trends that are happening within our sport.

“It is evident that the CIK Stars of Karting Series has been embraced by the karting community and has provided the Association with a series that everyone involved in the sport can be proud of. Next year we will be expanding this into a five-round series.

“The National Executive and National Karting Council (NKC) also made some changes across the weekend to further embrace the industry as they are a crucial part of the sport and can provide valuable input into where we can improve.”

Whiting and Murray are joined on the National Executive by Max Laybutt and Pam Arnett who retained their positions as National Treasurer and Secretary respectively.

Laybutt, one of the founding members of karting in Australia during the early 60s, was awarded Life Membership of the Association on Friday night.

A How to go Karting DVD produced by BAM Media to assist newcomers to the sport with an understanding of the basics of karting was presented to the NKC during the General Meeting. The DVD is being printed over the coming weeks and will be distributed to the state offices shortly after.

There were several minor rule changes made across the weekend that will all be outlined in addendums issued over the coming days.