Orange Kart Club

Orange Kart club is one of the oldest karting clubs and circuit in Australia, with a rich history extending back to the early 1960’s. Orange has been over the years and still is regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the country, and has held Australian and NSW state titles and hosted many of the great drivers over the years. Current V8 champions such as James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom have raced at Orange.  The history predates the track and club with the South Pacific title formally run at Gnoo Blas circuit currently known as Jack Brabham Oval. The name Gnoo Blas came from the Aboriginal name for nearby Mount Canobolas, which is prominent in the vista of the Orange Kart Circuit. Originally the South Pacific Championships was a round of the Australian Drivers' Championship and in 1958 was won by the late sir Jack Brabham, and this event now holds pride and place as Orange Kart Club’s signature event each year. 

 

Karting began in Orange in the early 60’s at the now showground, with Orange Kart “A” track being built in in the late 60’s, with further extensions of the “B” track in the mid 70’s and “C” Track in the early 90’s. Orange Kart Circuit has long been regarded as the one of the most classic circuits in Australia, for its fast flowing undulating experience, making it stand out amongst its contemporary’s.

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Orange has previously hosted major kart meets including the Australian Title in the Late 90’s in which 600 plus entrants raced for the prestigious title. In 2017 Orange held round 1 of the KNSW state tile and attracted over 180 entries, the highest number of entrants for a state title for several years. The South Pacific Championship round in 2014 was also one of the largest regional karting events in some time with over 200 entries.

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Over the years many families and individuals have helped the club along the way. Karting gets in your blood and the track begins to feel like home very quickly. Two of our wonderful members families decided their loved ones would like to eternally live at the track. Bob Chapmans ashes are laid to rest on the first corner of the main straight and Ian (Sads ) Sadlers ashes  are laid on the main straight.