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David Murray Awarded AKA Life Membership


AKA media 20 February 2013
 

Long-time kart racer and administrator David Murray was awarded Life Membership of the Australian Karting Association in Melbourne, Victoria last weekend.

david murrayMurray (right, AKA pic), who’s love affair with the sport of karting began in 1979, has experienced the sport from various angles during his time. He is currently entering his 34th year of competition, he was the Victorian State President for 12 years, served as the Victorian delegate on the National Karting Council for over a decade and was also previously the National Vice-President.

“It is a real honour to be given Life Membership. No one in our sport do what they do simply for the accolades but it does give you a good sense of achievement when you receive something like this,” said Murray.

“Karting is a wonderful family sport. For me, hands down, the best thing about the sport is the friends that you meet and the places that you go. I’ve raced in every state in Australia it’s been good fun and have made lifelong friends out of the sport.

“Next weekend I’m going to Jordie Lindstrom’s wedding, his father Grant and I met through the sport and now our sons have grown up together, the friendships all the young ones have is just magnificent.”

While Murray still loves his time behind the wheel of a kart, he won the Golden Power Series last year in Clubman Super Heavy, over the past decade he has been instrumental in helping the sport to become more professional.

“When I first became Victorian President I went to the Victorian Open with a different perspective than just being a racer and I was amazed at the amount of people who give up their time to make the meetings happen,” added Murray.

“I’m very proud of the Junior Development Camps that we’ve had in Victoria and as a National body it’s great to see us finally come together under a Governance structure with the knowledge that we’ve done the right things for the sport.

“We’ve now got a well-structured system in our sport, one of the great things we’ve done is to get CIK back on track to give our karters something to aspire to. It’s a lot more professional now, but there’s still room for people of all walks of life. It’s great to see the Pro teams at the big events but you can still win at the Nationals as a privateer.”

Murray receiving his Life Membership from AKA National President Craig Denton
Above: Murray receiving his Life Membership from AKA National President Craig Denton

Throughout his time in the sport Murray says that he’s been privileged to see some great drivers come through the sport, many of whom are current and former V8 Supercar drivers.

“As a driver I’d have to say that George Sera would be toughest that I’ve raced against – something that he has definitely passed onto his son Dave,” said Murray.

“Our current National President (Craig Denton) always wants to tell me how he won the Nationals at Geelong when I was also racing but he regularly fails to mention who finished second – Jason Bright, and where he is today. I always remind Craig of that one.

“I’ve seriously been privileged to see some great drivers come through the sport, Jamie (Whincup), Frosty (Mark Winterbottom) and Steve Richards are just a few. Racing against the likes of Russell Ingall in the early eighties, now they were some good memories.

“Drew Price raced International Light when I was racing Heavy, he was an awesome driver as well.

“Overall, it has been a tremendous ride, both from a drivers point of view and in the administration of the sport. I look forward to being a part of the karting for many years to come and am truly honoured to become a Life Member.”

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