A YOUNG man made local history last weekend, debuting as the fourth generation of his family to compete in go-kart racing.
Loxton resident Tyler Hucks, 11, had his first spin on the track post-COVID when the Loxton Kart Club’s 2020 racing season recommenced on Sunday, July 19.
Tyler finished in tenth place in the Junior Light competition, earning 47 points and the first part of his licence.
“We have to pass our licence and the first time I didn’t because I spun out into the dirt once,” Tyler said.
“But this second time I did, and now I need two more to earn my full licence and I can start anywhere in the draw of 13 karts it was last race.”
Tyler’s debut makes him the fourth generation in his family to compete in go-kart racing in Loxton, following the footsteps of his great-grandfather Alan, his grandfather Tony and his father Tim Hucks.
His great-grandfather was one of the founding members of the Loxton Kart Club and got the sport on its feet in town.
Alan said he started off mud bogging in a shortened V8 pilot in the paddocks of the Adelaide Hills, before shipping off to Loxton where he, along with the Manuels, started the go-kart racing club.
“We virtually started with a quarry that council had got their metal out of – that was all that was there,” he said.
“Because of the community spirit and the guys who were interested, the amount of work that went into was absolutely unreal.
“It was fairly hard work at times, but it was a pleasure because of the spirit between the people, and seeing that we could give the young ones who were interested something to do.”
Alan eventually bought a kart locally, which he modified, to compete himself, and earnt nearly 50 trophies throughout his lifetime.
His son Tony later became involved, moving from Adelaide to Loxton in 1987 as an electrician to be able to compete in the sport, and served as president of the kart club during the ’90s.
Both of Tony’s sons Tim and Simon raced in the junior section of the competition, with Tim spending one or two seasons in KT.
“Tim was playing under 15s football and we would go out to the go karts on a Sunday because the under 15s and 13s were playing on a Sunday then,” Tony said.
“He would go out and race two races, then I’d bring him in and he’d play football, and we’d have two more races while he was (playing football), and then I’d duck back in after that while they were grading back for the finals and bring him back (to race).”
Finally, Tyler decided to try his luck out in the sport after striking out in football due to his spinal muscle atrophy (SMA).
“We tried to find something that was a bit more of an even playing field,” Tim said.
“He struggles with running so with go karts you don’t have to run.
“He’s always been interested in motorbikes, and the (kids are) always buzzing around and having fun on that, so we gave him a shot and he loves it.”
Tyler said he looks forward to continuing to race in the future and potentially making a career out of the sport.
His family supported the move and were proud of both Tyler’s and the club’s efforts this season.
“It’s a family affair, and even now you go out there and everyone’s willing to help,” Tim said.
“People out there are really friendly and offering to help and give you advice, so it’s really just a good atmosphere and a good place to be.
“Like Pa was saying, ‘it’s evolved from basically nothing’.
“It’s a great little club, well run, and it’s just a fun day out.”