Historic Karts

The historic kart movement continues to grow around the world. Below are a selection of photos and information from the USA, plus the 2007 "Empire Trade Exchange" Vintage and Historic kart demonstration at Numurkah, Vic, last year.

USA

KartSportNews recently received an email that's doing the rounds of various historic karts. It appears these are from America and feature numerous multi-engined beasts from the past - including this triple-engined contraption!

 

AUSTRALIA

Twenty-one of the old-time karts took to the track and it was a mixed bag of performance, age, technology and noise. Karts ranged from the very first kart that Graham Powles drove as an 11-year old (turning laps at Numurkah in 1959!) through to his more recent 100cc International Monza kart. Super quick, even by today’s standards, the Monza was designed, built and driven by Powles and won the Australian Championship in 1990.

Above: The 6-wheeler, with 5 wheels still on the ground...
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

The event also saw the Numurkah 'debut' of the much anticipated six-wheel Bill Wallace Special. Driven by original engineer Bill Wallace, and based on the 6-wheel F1 Tyrrells of 1976/77, it impressed with a suprising turn of speed.

VKA president David Murray scooted around his twin 7F Villiers engined 1960 special. Powles also fanged around the track in a 1962 GoKart 1200, powered by a twin carbed McCulloch engine, demonstrating the unique style that hustled these Karts at a pace defying their basic design.

Above: Graham Powles shows the style required in the old karts
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: It wasn't just the karts that spanned the generations, but the drivers and attire too!
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: It wasn't all about Sprint karts
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: The Powles workshop where old karts are restored, and 'new' old karts built up.
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: A bit different to your other kart, huh?
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: Modern rims and tyres, that's cheating!
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: Jim Clark? Parnelli Jones?
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

Above: Some of the gear on display
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

pic - Michael Scott / www.streetcommodore.com

pic - Michael Scott / www.streetcommodore.com

Above: Powles and his 1990 Championship winning Monza/PCR. He won the final heat at the Tassie Nationals holding the top steering column support together with his knees for half the race!
pic - Cooper's Photography, 02 9565 2728, 0439 607 072

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