The Gippsland Go Kart Club, located in Morwell, Victoria, is a popular sports club in the Latrobe City area. The club hosts 10 Club Day Race Meetings throughout the year and is proud to be hosting the 5th round of the 2023 Golden Power Series on September 23rd and 24th. Whether spectators are coming to watch fellow karters race or simply want to get a glimpse of what Karting is all about, the club offers free spectator entry for all meetings, making it a fun and affordable activity for the whole family.
The club has a rich history that dates back to its formation on February 16, 1983. Noel and Pam Morrisby called a meeting for individuals interested in forming a go-kart club in the Latrobe Valley. The meeting was held at the Church hall in Traralgon, and Noel and Pam Morrisby were elected as the President and Secretary. Some attendees of the meeting, such as Lloyd Wicks and his sons Mark and Grant, still remain involved in the sport to this day.
The club's first race meeting, an “Open,” was held in the North car park of the Mid-Valley Shopping Centre and attracted drivers from Melbourne as well.
In its early years, the club held races at the Morwell Hillclimb, with club members Barney Hogan and Nigel Brockelsby making significant earthworks on the track to accommodate kart racing. However, due to safety concerns, the VKA eventually prohibited racing there. The club was trackless for a few years until the Tramway Park circuit opened in 1988. During this time, club members travelled to other circuits in Geelong, Oakleigh, and Brooklyn to compete.
The opening of the Tramway Park circuit marked a new era for the club and enabled local racing to thrive once again.
The Gippsland Go Kart Club's home track, Tramway Park Raceway, is located on Tramway Road in Morwell. The track is 600m in length and has a grid capacity of 22. The track surface is made of bitumen, providing a smooth and fast racing experience. The club's track is open from 9am to 6pm, and camping facilities are not available.
For those interested in getting started in Karting, the club provides helpful information and resources on their website. They also have links to Karting Australia, Karting Victoria, KartSportNews, and Speedhive Racing Results for further information and assistance. Additionally, the club acknowledges V8 Supercars Australia as a valued partnership.
Overall, the Gippsland Go Kart Club is a thriving and welcoming sports club in the Latrobe City area. With a rich history and a commitment to providing exciting and affordable kart racing experiences, the club is a popular destination for both competitors and spectators alike.