23rd May 2014

Thirty Gladstone racers headed to Emerald for first round - From the Gladstone Observer

(http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/kart-racers-aim-for-club-honours/2266949/)

RED LINE FEVER: Gladstone Kart Club will have 30 drivers at Emerald this weekend hopeful of helping the club secure a third straight CQ Kart Series club championship. (Pic: Observer/Jake Jones)

THE past two years Gladstone Kart Club has dominated the Central Queensland Kart Series, collecting the club championship along with numerous individual honours.

Now into the third year of the competition, the Gladstone drivers are headed to the first round in Emerald this weekend with the same intention.

Many of the class competitors from the local club are hitting the track on Friday for a bit of practice, while the remainder of the 30-strong contingent will begin on Saturday with high hopes of stopping the Emerald, Rockhampton and Bundaberg drivers from stealing the major trophy.

“Emerald is really well supported,” Gladstone driver Craig Butler said.

“They will be the club we are going to need to beat.

“Last year we won six out of the 10 classes and made the podium in most of them.”

It’s a tough task to live up to previous years but Butler sees no reason why the winning can’t continue.

The competition is open to any driver from across the state but only the four central Queensland clubs are in with the hope of winning the big trophy.

“At the moment there are 130 nominations but that will bump up to 150,” Butler said.

“Emerald is going to be the club with the most (entrants), but it is attracting drivers from all over Queensland.”

Gladstone will be represented strongly in all categories, especially in the juniors and the sportsman light.

“This year in the sportsman lights we have eight blokes going and any can win it,” Butler said.

“I am guessing there will be a couple of our best juniors who will be the ones to beat.”

Three more rounds will be held in 2014, with Gladstone holding the last round in November.