Sponsors got into the racing spirit before competitors took to the track to battle for the 2025 FNQ Dirt Kart Titles plates on Saturday. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The red dirt – and mud – flew and motorsport fans were on the edge of their seats when the Weipa Dirt Kart Club hosted an overwhelmingly successful two-day fight for on-track bragging rights at the weekend.
Local racers and those from interstate went head-to-head in the FNQ Dirt Kart Titles on 11-12 July, with competitors contesting nine classes as they chased the coveted plates reserved for the event’s best of the best.
Club president Dave Hancock hailed the weekend a win for the sport on western Cape York.
“It was a definite success,” he said.
“We got the added benefit of some really good drivers coming up from down south, which helps extend the ability of our guys and, when they’re racing in a place like this, it’s not all about the competition for them – they take the time to stop and really point out small things that help our drivers improve.”
Multiple-time Australian champion Ben Brown was among the visiting interstate competitors and Mr Hancock said he believed having a driver of his ability in Weipa would pay dividends for local karting enthusiasts now a connection had been established.
“His day job is to build and perfect go karts, so, having the ability now to give him call and pick his brain about a few things, and talk to him on a more of a personal level than just the transactional level will benefit these guys in the club,” Mr Hancock said.
While the on-track action was the focus of this year’s titles, Mr Hancock said the club had high hopes of using the overall appeal of Cape York to boost nominations for the next event.
“I’ve been talking to a few of the guys that were here, and a few guys that were interested in coming, around the other types of events we’ve got on the Cape they may be able to enjoy while they’re up here,” he explained.
“You know, maybe have the go karts one weekend and then the Fishing Classic the next weekend.
“Something like that would possibly allow the guys to stick around and make a holiday of it.”
When they weren’t racing, some of the youngest competitors at the FNQ Dirt Kart Titles had the best seats in the house to watch the on-track action.
Results
Midgets
1: Billy Villinger (#14), 2: Sarah Smith (#11)
Rookies
1: Finn Fletcher (#17), 2: Austen Newsome (#91), 3: Oliver Barber (#31), 4: William Smith (#51)
Juniors
1: Amelie Hancock (#21), 2: Riley Campbell (#007)
KT Lights
1: Ben Brown (#231), 2: Jessie Tertipis (#177), 3: Samuel Hancock (#76)
KT Medium
1: Jessie Tertipis (#177), 2: Max Emmett (#26), 3: Michael Ward (#38)
KT Heavy
1: Troy Dudek (#22), 2: Max Emmett (#26),3: Jim Fletcher (#55)
125 Lights
1: Col Vallance (#76), 2: Max Emmett (#26), 3: Sue Vallance (#40)
125 Medium
1: Michael Ward (#76), 2: Max Emmett (#26), 3: James Barber (#10)
Statesman
1: Ben West (#9), 2: Scott Webster (#74), 3: Troy Dudek (#22)
