SPRINT Kart drivers Logan Atkins and Liam Addison are racking up the kilometres getting around the country to compete against the best racers.
After strong performances so far this year both Logan and Liam have been invited to race in Pimpama, a curtain-raiser to the Gold Coast 600.
Only 40 of the best young sprint kart drivers are selected by Karting Australia and invited to race in the Gold Coast event, part of the SuperFest 10-day event starting October 14
Recently in Tamworth Liam set a new course record of 35:196 seconds. Logan set the second fastest time before his kart motor blew and he was forced out.
At Tamworth Liam won five races from five starts, an amazing achievement considering the jostling and unpredictability of racing.
The race was part of the NSW Pro Tour and it was the first time racing in a different kart with a 125cc engine.
Logan, 15, and Liam, 13, are part of the Port Macquarie Buzzard Racing team, run by Tracy Stewart.
Tracy said the team travels far and wide around NSW and interstate to compete.
“Both Logan and Liam are very dedicated to the sport,” he said.
“They spend time during the week preparing the karts and practice at the Port Macquarie race track, just off the Pacific Highway on Pacific Parkway, every weekend they’re not travelling away for competition.”
Logan, who attends Camden Haven High School, sat behind the wheel of a sprint kart for the first time two years ago, at the age of 13.
“I went in a hire kart at eastern Creek then came to a come and try day at the Port Macquarie track and it’s all just escalated from there,” Logan said.
Liam, a student of St Joseph’s Regional College, was just eight years old when he caught the racing bug.
“I used to come and watch friends and my pop racing. I just got into it from there. It’s fun,” he said.
Future racing plans for both Logan and Liam follow the same path. Both have set the goal to race in the state series next year, the Pro Tour and eventually step up into Formula Ford and beyond to V8s or Formula 1.
Both Logan and Liam are members of the Port Macquarie Kart Racing Club, which meets once a month at the local track on Pacific Parkway, off the Pacific Highway. Their next meeting is on September 18. Racing begins at 9am and spectators enjoy free entry.
Kate Dwyer
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
