Karting - Not Just A Boy's World

AKA press release

Last weekend Danica Patrick made the first step towards the next chapter in her career by competing in a NASCAR race as she aims to break into America’s toughest motor racing series.

Patrick is more than just a glamour girl; she is a racer in her own right having won in the IndyCar Series. Her success in a sport that has been dominated by males has been an inspiration for many young girls across the world, a handful of which will be competing this weekend in the Victorian Karting Championships at Oakleigh.

Over the past few years the trio of Jaymee Frampton, Brittany Hall and Teagan Osborne have developed into some of Victoria’s top young drivers and like Patrick are regularly proving that ‘girl power’ is alive and well in the world of motorsport.

Since following her father Peter into the world of motorsport almost seven years ago, 15 year-old Osborne (pictured right - photowagon.com.au) is now a common sight at the front of the pack in the Junior National Heavy and Junior Clubman categories.

“Dad was involved in a lot of V8 Supercar and Porsche racing, so I’ve been around motor racing for most of my life,” said Osborne, who resides in the Melbounre suburb of Lysterfield.

“When I was seven years old I had my first look at karting and then I got a kart for Christmas, I was very excited. Since then karting has really become a big part of my life.”

The Year 10 student at the Knox School says that karting is one of the rare sports in the world where both males and females can compete on a level playing field, which drives her to succeed over the boys.

“I love winning at anytime but when you can beat the boys at what they consider ‘their’ game it makes it even better,” said Osborne.

“Karting is a sport that is great fun both on and off the track. I’ve met a lot of people from all across the country and made a lot of friends as well.”

Osborne has enjoyed various success at the Oakleigh venue having finished on the podium in both the Kingston Cup and the Junior Top Guns events over the past 12 months, a trend she is hoping will continue this weekend against some of the best young drivers in the country.

Above: Lysterfield's Teagan Osborne is one of the many young females inspired by Danica Patrick, here driving her Intrepid Rotax kart.
pic - photowagon.com.au

Over 300 competitors, ranging in age from seven to over 50 years old, are set to battle for the honour of being crowned the state champion in their respective category at the prestigious event.

Qualifying will be held on Friday ahead of the heat races on Saturday and championship finals on Sunday.

The Oakleigh venue is one of the longest standing venues in Australian karting and has played a part in the careers of a number of today’s modern day V8 Supercar drivers including Jamie Whincup, Steven Richards and both Alex and Will Davison.

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