BRENDAN LINES
RENMARK and Loxton are set to light up with two days of dirt kart racing this long weekend.
The Riverland two-day kart racing event will be held across Renmark and Loxton dirt kart racing clubs, on June 12 and 13.
Competitors will race under lights in wheel-to-wheel action, across 14 classes.
The Loxton event has attracted 206 nominations across all classes from Adelaide, Yorke Peninsula, South East and Riverland clubs.
Current SA plate holders from the recent state titles at Blanchetown have entered the classes, including Riverland-based drivers Kobi Koch, of Loxton Dirt Kart Racing Club, and James Bannear, of Renmark Dirt Kart Racing Club.
Renmark Dirt Club president Ric Williams said the number of junior racers had “exploded”.
“They’ve been well supported in the last 12 months,” he said.
“We’ve had very full fields. You’re only allowed 20 in a field.”
“The rookies and the midgets aren’t out to compete – it’s about getting a love for the sport.”
Nominations in the rookie class have been split in two for the Loxton races to manage numbers.
Numbers are also up in the outlaw class, Williams said.
“That’s a 250cc motorbike engine,” he said.
“I guess people just want to go fast.”
Williams said racing at night on the dirt circuits was exciting.
“As soon as the sun goes down…the track gets a lot faster,” he said.
Williams predicted a big weekend.
“We’re having a free sausage sizzle on Friday night, just to encourage people to come up the night before to have run on our track,” he said.
Full catering and bar facilities will be available at the Loxton track on Sunday.
Racing starts from 1pm both days.