Lithgow Combined Districts Kart Club funding to update facilities

Bathurst MP Paul Toole announced the funding at the track on day one of the NSW state karting championships on Friday, September 28. 

President of the Combined Districts Kart club Russell Becker said the funding would go towards fixing up the race control buildings and technical areas. 

“It was fantastic to receive, our race control buildings are 40 years old and over time technology has changed so to get up to scratch with top level facilities we have to improve the building,” he said. 

The race control building is on the straight and it houses the time keepers, race starters and officials. 

According to Mr Becker, Lithgow Combined Districts Kart Club has struggled to attract national events. 

“We do the best we can with what we have but now if we fix up the circuit we may be able to entice those events to come to us,” he said. 

According to Mr Becker, at a club meeting held once a month, the club can get anywhere between 60 to 100 entries but fixing the areas could increase that number significantly. 

“If we improve our facilities then we could get more people,” he said. 

“It wouldn’t be good just for us but for the city of Lithgow as well, because it would bring in new tourists.” 

MP Paul Toole said the Lithgow Combined Districts Kart Club was committed to the promotion of the sport and supporting the local community and had, as a priority, indicated it wanted to host more high profile events and attract more people to the region. 

“Kart racing is a sport which nearly every professional race driver has participated in as well as being a family sport that combines competition with sportsmanship,” he said. 

Mr Toole said the works were needed so the club could host larger meetings. 

Mr Toole was also excited to have a few hot laps of the circuit.

“I just want to thank Russell and his team which are made up of hardworking volunteers who do a lot for this particular club,” he said.

“When you look around you can see the time and effort they have put in to making it a first class facility.” 

Lithgow City Mayor, Cr Ray Thompson recalled a time 30 years ago when people would come and talk to him about how Lithgow has one of the best kart circuits in NSW.  

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“I use to live just down here in Marangaroo Fields and I would hear the go karts weekend in and weekend out,” Cr Thompson said. 

“I  think its amazing we can get from the State Government $101,000, I don’t know where the one thousand came from, but every little bit counts and I am sure the go kart track will use it wisely.”