10/01/08
Author: Vroomkart International
The Motorsport arena is more commonly referred to as a place that is dominated by males, however, later this month at the Lithgow Kart circuit it will be a very different story as the venue hosts the second annual All Ladies Race Day.
This innovation was brought about by the Combined Districts Kart Club to highlight the involvement of females in karting and the important role they play not just in racing but in all aspects of the sport and that karting is open to all sections of the community.
The January 27 event is the only one of its kind in Australia with female competitors coming from various parts of the country to race in a variety of categories from Midgets, aged between seven and ten years, through to the senior ranks where a number of ladies over the age of 50 will take to the track.
All competitors will be vying for the Nicole Franks Perpetual Trophy, who was tragically killed in an incident during the Wollongong street meeting in 2002. The winner of the trophy will be based on the overall best performance on the day from one of the eight classes. The winner will have their name engraved on the perpetual trophy, receive a trophy to keep, a pink sash and a pink number plate with the letters NF.
“We’re honoured that the Combined Districts Kart Club have decided to name a perpetual trophy in the memory of Nicole,” said Nicole’s Mother, Lyn.
“Nicole is certainly always in ours minds and is thought of by many other people within the karting community.
“Ever since she started her career at the age of nine in 1987 Nicole always considered herself a competitor, not just a female racer, she was always out there to prove a girls could be just as good if not better than the boys in a kart.
“The Ladies Only event is a great initiative by the club and I know Nicole would have been a big supporter of the event.”
Australian Karting Association President Richard Erdmann believes the special event is a great initiative by the Combined Districts Kart Club.
“Karting and motorsport in general for that matter is very much a family orientated sport. People of all ages, both male and female, have the ability to be involved in the sport in a variety of roles both on and off the racing circuit,” said Erdmann.
“The all-female event is a great initiative by the Combined Districts Kart Club and it is all for a great cause, the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the number of female competitors in karting and over time I believe this event will assist with further growth of these numbers.
“I sincerely believe this special event will continually develop into a significant mark on the Australian Karting calendar and provide the opportunity to highlight the female involvement in our sport while raising money for charity.”
Also at this special event there will be a Celebrity race where a number female relatives of V8 Supercar stars, local councillors and identities will challenge some female media representatives who are willing to get behind the wheel of a kart.
Other aspects to the event include a go-kart charity Queen Pageant held in conjunction with the charity dinner and auction on Saturday night 26th January at the Lithgow Workers Club.
ABOUT KARTING
Karting is a sport for people of all ages - from as young as seven to over 70 years old, everyone can enjoy it!
With children racing at speeds up to 80km/h it is a sport that teaches these kids, both boys and girls, basic driving skills well before they are able to obtain their road licence.
There is no doubt karting is competitive but it is also fun and family orientated, with involvement in the sport both on and off the track giving it a strong feeling of community. It teaches driving skills and offers people an opportunity to gain a career in motorsport, all in a safe and organised environment.
Kart meetings take place at circuits across Australia every weekend and are either a club, regional, state or national level meeting. There are 92 clubs across Australia affiliated with the Australian Karting Association.
These clubs are mainly sprint kart clubs which race on bitumen circuits however, some regions also have dirt and speedway tracks which drivers can race at. An alternative to the traditional style of karting is a recent addition to Australian circuits, endurance karting.
A full list of clubs and contact details for karting clubs across Australia can be found at http://www.www.karting.net.au/
ABOUT THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s only national not-for-profit foundation established to promote and support research into every aspect of breast cancer.
Since being established in 1994, the NBCF has funded 160 research projects and provided research equipment in every State and Territory, to a total of $40 million.
The NBCF offers researchers a significant, substantial source of designated funding for projects that are of the highest order and have been assessed to be meritorious under the peer review system which operates for medical and health research in Australia. Researchers whose projects meet these criteria compete for available funding.
The NBCF provides everyone in the community the opportunity to contribute dollars towards research that will help find the answers to the questions about breast cancer.
The NBCF enjoys broad support from the cancer control community. It’s top researchers give their advice freely and some of Australia’s leaders in the health, business and legal professions donate their time and expertise, including members of the Board of Trustees.
Note: SCARICA COMUNICATO
