COFFS Harbour Kart Racing Club is set for its biggest year of racing in 2024, after being awarded hosting rights to a round of the Australian Championships.

The Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club will host Round 4 of the 2024 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship.

The Coffs club will host three big days of racing on 19-21 July, 2024, and will be the first time the club has held a round of the Australian Kart Championship.

The Australian Kart Championship is contested over five rounds in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.

The event attracts the best drivers from across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia to compete for the honour of being crowned Australian Champion in their respective class.

Having been formerly known as the Australian CIK Championship and the CIK Stars of Karting, the Australian Kart Championship was born in 2015 and expanded to incorporate the National Championships for a wide variety of classes to cater for the Australian Karting Community.

Many young drivers have graduated from the Australian Kart Championship into other forms of motorsport and have had success all throughout the world.

Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club president James Morrison emphasised the importance of hosting the Australian Kart Championship.

“It’s the most prestigious national karting championship in the world, and that is according to international engine suppliers who attend championships around the world,” he said.

“It will attract 400 drivers and 1000 people who will stay for a week, so it’s not only good for the club but for Coffs Harbour as well.”

Morrison said the recent upgrades to the club’s facilities played a big role in being awarded the hosting rights.

“That’s the only reason and we wouldn’t have been eligible, and the aim was to hold big events like this one,” he said.

“Next year will be the biggest year we have ever had, and it’s been three or four years of hard work that has gone into having the opportunity to host an event like the Australian Championship.”

By Aiden BURGESS