Karters Dine With V8 Drivers

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AKA press release

STARS OF THE FUTURE DINE WITH TODAY'S V8 STARS

Eighteen of Australia’s budding young racers had the ‘Breakfast of a Lifetime’ when they dined with the Stars of the V8 Supercars Championship at the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge in Melbourne today.

The youngsters, aged between seven and 13-years-old, are members of the Australian Karting Association – the sport that helped kickstart the careers of almost every V8 Supercar driver and the likes of Mark Webber and Marcos Ambrose.

Above: Karters were treated to breakfast with V8 Supercar drivers at Sandown this morning

Following the breakfast, all of the youngsters were given a personalised tour of the pit area by each V8 Supercar driver and took to a modified circuit in a demonstration in front of the V8 Supercar fraternity.

Two drivers who were a part of today’s experience was the brother and sister pair of Nathan and Natasha Herne. The Lismore pair both have ambitions of one day making a career in V8 Supercars.

“Dad raced Speedway and we always went to watch him, when he retired we started racing. We do everything as a family, Mum and Dad are always there with us and I just love going racing,” said 12 year-old Natasha.

Above: The young racers walk to their karts for demonstration laps at Sandown

“Today has just been an amazing experience, to get to meet my idols and check out the pit area has been a real highlight.

“One of the best things about racing karts is the fact that I can race against the boys – and sometimes beat them. Hopefully one day when I get older I can move through the ranks and make a career in the V8 Supercars.”

Rich in history, this year’s Norton 360 Sandown Challenge will once again bring back the memories for motorsport fans by showcasing a variety of unforgettable cars from the past. And now with the involvement of the young karters, the next generation of Australian motorsport stars were also on show.

Above: Mark Winterbottom joined young kart drivers in an on-track demonstration at Sandown

While winning is the generally the focus on a regular race day, for these youngsters the sport of karting is always about teaching them about driving techniques and car control well before they are old enough to obtain their road licence.

V8 Supercars' Acting CEO Shane Howard was delighted to see the youngsters as a part of the action during the opening day of the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge.

"These fantastic young people are the future of V8 Supercars and Australian motorsport," Mr Howard said.

"It's absolutely fantastic for our Championship to take them under our wing and give them a taste of what they could be achieving down the track. Grass roots are extremely important for V8 Supercars and this is just a first step in the process."

Above: V8 Supercars young gun Shane van Gisbergen shows a karting young gun through his pit garage at Sandown

A wide range of tickets are available for this weekend’s event – that not only features the V8 Supercars Championship but also the popular Fujitsu Series, V8 Utes, Australian GT Championship and Touring Car Masters across the weekend.

Children 12 and under will receive free entry into the event with a paying adult and all grandstand tickets include free paddock access and a free pit lane walk.

Above: Current V8 Supercars Championship leader Jamie Whincup joined young kart drivers in an on-track demonstration at Sandown

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