Beetham Brothers Farewell Oran Park

press release

The Totally Commercial Flooring (Qld) supported team drivers, Robbie and Trevor Beetham travelled from their Springwood base in Queensland to Oran Park, Sydney to bid the venue a final Kart Racing farewell.

After a 31 year reign at Sydney’s Oran Park, the Sydney Kart Racing Club's term at the much loved circuit came to an end just over a week ago.  With over 250 entries and using three different circuit layouts, the Club made the final event as memorable as it could be.  With an added progressive point score over the 3 days of competition, this tested drivers even further.

Above: DRK drivers, brothers Robbie (left) and Trevor (right)
pic - Gary Cooper Photography coopersphotography@bigpond.com

The Beetham Brothers left early Thursday morning for what would be a 1,910 Klm, 5 day return trip to race at the historic venue.  In addition to their Pro Karting powered CRG Clubman Heavy Karts, the race trailer also contained their early 80’s Vintage Kart, a Demon X Chassis powered by a Komet 78 Rotary Valve.

On Friday’s 960m Horseshoe track layout, one of the 3 configurations for the weekend's events, DRK Team Beetham collected sufficient points in both Clubman Heavy and Clubman Over 40’s classes for double 4th outright places. The boys also got to have a couple of runs in their Vintage Kart on the day.

On Saturday’s 1,100m Long Track layout Trevor’s placings in the 4 Clubman Over 40's Heats sufficiently netted him 4th again overall on the second day of competition.  Robbie was up against some tougher opposition on a track unfamiliar to him and suffering an intermittent ignition problem, but still banked a credible 10th, 3rd, 9th and 7th in Clubman Heavy racing.

Above: DRK driver Robbie Beetham in the family’s Komet 78 Rotary Valve powered Demon X Chassis
pic - Gary Cooper Photography coopersphotography@bigpond.com

On Sunday’s bigger 1,160m Super Track layout which incorporates more of the V8 Supercar track around the famous Oran Park Bridge, Trevor with 2 DNF’s and a 2nd place, fell back down the points standings to 7th outright in the Clubman Over 40's class.  Enjoying the 3rd different layout more and resolving the ignition issue, Robbie earned a 4th, 7th and 7th in Clubman Heavy racing, elevating him to 6th overall in the Clubman Heavy class for the weekend.

Robbie then got to take their Vintage Kart for a final spin around the Oran Park venue before racing finished mid afternoon on Sunday for the weekend's trophy presentations and a BBQ to celebrate the final closing of the Kart Circuit(s).

Above: DRK driver Robbie Beetham leading the Clubman Heavy field
pic - Gary Cooper Photography coopersphotography@bigpond.com

“I had the best weekend at Oran Park, thanks to everyone that helped us out. 6th in points for the weekend was a good result given I’ve never been to the venue.  Finishing 9th and 10th in 2 of the heats on Saturday didn’t help my tilt at a podium.  My seat was flexing that much that it had rubbed a hole in the plug lead and every time I went around hard left corners the motor would die on me.  All that aside, the best bit is that I can now say that I have raced at Oran Park and I actually led some races for a few laps ahead of Troy Hunt,” said Robbie Beetham jokingly.

This big weekend in Sydney concluded the DRK Team Beetham racing schedule for 2009.  The boys are now taking time over the Christmas / New Year period to rest, regroup and prepare for their 2010 calendar.

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