Karratha Kart Club

To all past and present member’s that have toiled in the hot Pilbara Sun to make the club grounds what they are today “THANK YOU”. Read on for the club history below.

The Karratha Kart Club began its history in 1973 when a group of people gauged a feasibility study to form a Kart Club to race the then go karts, a Public Meeting was held at the then Walkabout Hotel. A group of 11 people in total, attended the meeting.

Some of them were: Colin Hadden, Eric Coomber, Warren Stewart, Frank Pelusey, Owen Teague, Allan Albion, Geoff Williams and Les Dixon.

The Steering Committee was created they were Chairman Colin Haddon, Secretary Owen Teague, Treasurer Allan Albion, the name of the club at the time was the Karratha Go Kart Club.

There were 3 Divisions to start the club, Divisions 1 & 2 and Victa Class 150cc. The Fees for joining the club at that time were, Adults $3. 00 and a yearly fee of $2. 00, Junior’s $1.

00 with an annual fee of 50 cents.

A total of 5 sites were selected to place the track, a letter was drawn up by the committee and presented to the then Commissioner of the Roebourne Shire, Mr Les Carley.

Out of those 5 choices 3 particular sites were favoured by the club which were 1. To the right of G block 2. Near the old well at the drive-in and 3. Adjacent to the dump at 7 mile.

All 3 choices were rejected by Mr Carley, he recommended a site at the end of an old dirt road East of Karratha Town site, on the boundary of the Town.

After various means of raising money to build the club track etc, the actual bitumen was laid in March & April of 1974, and the club was affiliated with the West Australian Karting Association and Safety Licences were issued to the club in January of 1975.

Many fund-raising activities have taken place at the Karratha Kart Club over the years to upgrade the facilities and improve safety for Drivers and their families.

With much fun and enjoyment had by one and all, the Club at one time was the largest in Western Australia and can certainly boast to being one of the oldest clubs, it with great appreciation that the major sponsor for the club over the years has been the Roebourne Shire Council, thank you to all Shire Councillors past a present for their help.

Many a hard day in the hot sun has been spent by past & present members & Shire Workers at Busy Bees preparing the grounds for the upcoming seasons.

Who knows one day it may pay off, from this small mining town we may produce a young person who will go on to be a World Class Champion in Motor Sport, after all this is the sport were over 80% of Formula 1 Drivers start their career.