You see the dads racing all the time so it's good to see the mums out there as well.
- Amy Proudford-Nalder
They are the unsung heroes who are often toiling away in the background while their sons and daughters, fathers and husbands take to the go-kart track.
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But on Sunday, the women who make the Orange Kart Racing Club run got their chance to be on centre-stage.
This was the first year the club ran the Canteen Cup, which gave women the chance to don the helmet and strut their stuff for a few laps.
Amy Proudford-Nalder came to the club 14 months ago when her 11-year-old son showed an interest in the sport. On this day though, it was mum's time to shine.
"It was excellent fun," she said of racing a few laps.
"I thought it was going to be really hard, but it was excellent.
"It's great to see your kids excelling at a sport like that and then you get to have a go and see how hard it is, you appreciate it a lot more."
Like many others, she hopes to see the cup become an annual event.
"It's just a great idea, because most of the competitions the kids are very competitive and full on, so it's good at the end of the year to have a Christmas party and take the pressure off a bit," she added.
"You see the dads racing all the time so it's good to see the mums out there as well.
"I'd done one lap before, but this was the first time I've gone fast."
Another lady who joined in on the action was Lauren Ogilvie, whose father is a long-time club member.
"I think it's pretty cool and I'd be keen to do it again," she said.
"It's not my first time out there but I don't race, I do it for dad."
One of those who will help make it an annual event will be club president Daniel Curran.
"It's a bit of a fun thing for all the helpers in the canteen, going to give them a burn on the track, "he said.
"There are plenty of nerves and some are unsure about it, but all in all everyone is a little bit excited."
The day capped off what had been quite a successful year for the club.
Despite the impact that Covid had on many other sporting codes, the Orange race club only lost one event.
Long-time club member Greg McLandsborough believes go-karts are making a comeback.
"The sport is generally growing quite well," he said.
"I actually think people are getting back into it.
"This has probably been the third highest number we've had all year. The event we had in August had 117 entries, which was one of our biggest events for four or five years as well."
But for now, racers both young and old will have to wait a couple more months until they are able to burn rubber out on the Orange track.
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Riley Krause
I am a senior journalist for the Central Western Daily. A jack of all trades, I cover everything from sport, to human interest stories and crime. Drop me an email at riley.krause@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I am a senior journalist for the Central Western Daily. A jack of all trades, I cover everything from sport, to human interest stories and crime. Drop me an email at riley.krause@austcommunitymedia.com.au
