Family Fun At Wimmera
press release
Family fun will be the name of the game for the 2010 Wimmera Open at the Wimmera Kart Racing Club next Sunday, August 1.
Flying the family flag at the event will be brothers Brayden and Kodi Souter and mother and son Natarsha and Alex Baker.
The Souter brothers - 11 year old Brayden and eight year old Kodi – often bring their entire family - mum Cynthia, dad Shane and younger brothers Jonte (five years old) and Kalan (three years old) to the track to watch them in action.
Above: The Souter Family (l-r): Brayden, Kodi, Jonte, Cynthia, Kalan and Shane
Brayden has been racing for two years in the Midget class while Kodi is new to the sport and currently using every opportunity for practice in preparation for joining his brother in the midget category.
Shane Souter said that karting was a great sport and that he couldn’t encourage people more to come down and have a look at what it is all about.
“I started karting myself a few years back with one of my friends and I thought it would be a good sport for my kids to get into, and Brayden, who was nine at the time, really took a hold of it,” said Shane Souter.
“I decided that I would rather concentrate on his racing so I stepped out of the drivers seat, and recently my next eldest Kodi, who is eight years old now, has stepped into it as well.
“We try to have the whole family come along when we race – Karting is a real family sport and it’s great for not only the racers – teaching the kids control, confidence, driving skills and respect for speed – but its also great to watch for spectators with some tight racing in all of the categories."
Above: Rookie class action at the Wimmer Kart Club's track near Horsham
pic - photowagon.com.au
Brayden, who started racing two years ago as at the age of nine, said he loved the challenge presented by racing go karts.
“I really love the speed and the challenge of go kart racing,” said Brayden Souter.
“I get to make new friends and travel and hear what everyone else is up to – so many of my friends at school wish they could do what I get to do and so I always tell them to come and watch the racing and bring their parents so they can see what happens – its great fun!”
Joining the Souters on track next weekend will be mother and son racers Natarsha and Alex Baker, who are looking forward to a relaxed, fun, family friendly day at the track next Sunday.
Natarsha has been competing in the Clubman Heavy class for two years while seven year old Alex will make his racing debut at the Wimmera Open in the midget category. Dad Trevor, a mechanic, is the pair’s pit crew.
“Karting is just such a great sport for the family, and I am really excited as I know Alex is as well about his debut race at the Wimmera Open, its going to be a great day for the whole family I think,” said Natarsha Baker.
“I used to work at a hire kart company years ago and that piqued my interest early on, and then one day one of the racers who brought their own karts to the track let me have a go and I caught the bug.
“It is especially a great thing for the kids – giving them some responsibility and teaching them driving skills and confidence, and they get to make new friends as well which is great.”
Alex Baker is struggling to conceal his excitement about his big race day on August 1.
“I am really excited about getting to have my first race,” said Alex Baker.
“All of my friends at school wish they could get to race like I will, I can’t wait!”
The WKRC will host the 2010 Wimmera Open on Sunday August 1, with three heats of 10 laps and a 12 lap final to be run across the day and trophies presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd. A trophy will also be presented to the first ‘P Plater’ home in each class.
Above: Brayden Souter
pic - photowagon.com.au
There is still time for karters to enter the event via www.wimmerakartclub.com.au. Fans that want to come out and catch the action can do so free of charge. An all you can eat Spit Roast dinner will be held on the Saturday night for $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
The WKRC is located in Horsham, which is centrally located in the Wimmera region, with excellent opportunities for shopping, dining, entertainment and accommodation. It is located 300 kilometers north-west of Melbourne and 450 kilometers south east of Adelaide.