THE 2019 Australian Superkart Grand Prix is done and dusted and by all accounts it was a huge success.
The weekend saw 60 drivers compete across various classes at McNamara Park, the first time at the track for around 30 years.
The grand prix originally started back in the 1960s at McNamara Park, but moved to the Adelaide region where the host club – the Adelaide Superkart Club (AFC) – is based.
However, there was much interest around the McNamara Park circuit this year, which was justified.
ASC secretary Ian Williams said it was a big success.
“The facilities were good, the racing worked well and the layout is great to drive,” he said.
“Everyone who drove it loved it.”
One of the attractive parts of the circuit was the pace generated by all classes, including the 250cc International karts which broke the outright lap record, previously set on two wheels.
“The lap record was broken on Saturday in practice, then on Sunday they re-set it,” Williams said.
“Now the outright lap record is owned by a 250cc superkart, which is 1.08:78.
“But that happens everywhere we go – we are so much quicker than anything else.”
That pace was enjoyed by large crowds across the weekend, which Williams said provided good feedback.
“I spoke to a lot of people and they were all amazed with it,” he said.
“Half of them had not seen a superkart before and they were pretty impressed with how quick they go, how well they handle and how well the take the high-speed sections of the track.”
Williams said there was also plenty of competitive action to be enjoyed across the weekend, with the track providing close racing.
“There was not just one line and there were plenty of places you could dice,” he said.
“The width of the track added to that, which meant you could drive a couple of different lines around corners.”
Williams said the width of the track was better than many other bigger circuits, including the likes of Mallala and Broadford.
The sprint kart class saw two competitors from Mount Gambier and three from Adelaide.
The karts are the same as those raced at the Glenburnie circuit at regular meetings, with a change to the sprockets to allow for higher speeds.
Williams said those drivers were impressed with the circuit.
“They loved it,” he said.
“It was quick and drive-able.
“The difference with the superkarts is they are a little bit longer and little bit lower, so at high speeds they are stable.
“Mac Park only has the main straight for high speed and the rest is corners, so it suited them down to the ground.
“Mount Gambier drivers Matt Evans and Kelvin Moreland had not been on anything bigger than a go kart track and I know Kelvin was happy being there and enjoyed it every time he went out.”
As a result of the weekend Williams said he was even more intent on returning each year to hold the grand prix.
“For us it was all good – there were maybe two or three things we would do differently, but they were not major issues,” he said.
“The drivers were happy to come over from Victoria, which made for a big meeting.
“Now we want to get the same weekend and run it every year at Mac Park.
“That will allow people to know where it is early and we should get even bigger numbers.”
