In a new series, motoring reporter Shawn McAvinue speaks to a member of a Dunedin motoring club. In the first of the series, he talks to Dunedin Grass Kart Club president John Tielkes, of Green Island.
Dunedin Grass Kart Club president John Tielkes and member Dakoda (4).
Q: When was the club established?
The club was established in the early 1990s and was called the Mosgiel Kart Club. When the club began running out of the Greater Green Island Town & Country Club, the club name changed to the Green Island Grass Kart Club. About three years ago we changed the name to the Dunedin Grass Kart Club.
Founding father .. Mosgiel Kart Club co-founder, the late Ivan “Big Red” Mockford (second from left) races in a club meeting in the early 1990s. Photo: supplied
Q: How many members does the club have?
About 45 financial members – it’s been growing the last two to three years. We have a lot of kids coming through. It’s the first time we’ve been able to run a midget class in about 10 years and they are keen as. We welcome new members – the more the merrier. We are a very family-orientated club – we cater for everybody and anybody.
Q: Is it an expensive sport?
You can make it what you want. You can race in classes and be competitive on a very tight budget but if you’ve got some more disposable income, there are classes available to go bigger and faster. It’s possible for a family to race the same kart in a range of classes.
Q: How old are your youngest and oldest members?
Alfie Mason (6) is our youngest and our oldest is my father, John Tielkes sen (60).
Q: Do you have clubrooms?
No. We are not big enough to justify having clubrooms. We use The Kensington for meetings and prizegivings. All our gear, such as cones, lights, toilet and safety kit including defib, are run out of a large covered trailer.
Q: What events does your club host?
are working on running points days on the second Sunday of every month. It is seasonal though – we wanted to run on Sunday but it’s just too wet. We’ll probably start back up in September when the sun returns.
Shawn McAvinue, The Star.
