Making The Go-Karts Go

Go-Karts from Tuai, Tokoroa, Opotiki, Wairoa, Whakatane and Rotorua converged on Gisborne for the anniversary weekend carnival of the Gisborne Go-Kart Club at the Patutahi Domain. With local drivers joining in, a good two-day programme drew large crowds to see some fast racing and one or two spectacular spills.

Trophies were won by Stan Baty, Opotiki; Dave Irvine, Gisborne; Eric Burr, Tokoroa; Maurie McGarva, Gisborne; Baty, Opotiki, and Tony Jackson, Wairoa. In a local body race between Gisborne and Patutahi councillors, Bob Crosby (Patutahi) beat Gisborne's Mayor, Harry Barker, for first place.

Speeding, skidding go-karts raise dust in fast circuit.

Drivers run for their steeds in a Le Mans start event

"Photo News" cameraman John Logan was on hand with an automatic repeater camera, which can take eight pics in a second, when Cappy Rix, from Opotiki, hit the deck in one of the more serious upsets at the meeting.

Cappy tails Stan Worsnop (Patutahi), Dave Irvine (Gisborne) and Bob Crosby on one of the bends, but he has fouled the back of Stan's kart and is headed for some trouble. Stan isn't smiling smugly at this ....he's just enjoying the drive.

Ooops! Cappy is really in trouble as his speeding kart rolls. Drivers following close behind have yet to take evasive action to avoid pile-up. Meanwhile Stan, all unconscious of what is happening behind him, continues on his cheerful way.

K-r-r-rash! Cappy's on the island, and the kart's on top of him, wheels spinning madly. But he's still got a grip on the steering wheel. Split-second reaction of drivers in rear avoids multiple crash.

Kart rolls on driver

And this is how Cappy finished up...."Under the Kart", or "the end of the Rix Trick".

Driver, somewhat shaken, gets urgent attention, discovers that his collarbone is fractured.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 80 : February 23, 1961

Making The Go-Karts Go