Racing karts.
I purchased a small collection of historic kart racing photographs a little while ago. Judging by the road cars visible in the background of a couple of photographs, and some of the oil cans visible in the kart paddock, I'd date these either to the late 1950s, or more likely, the 1960s. The races aren't in Britain, the registration plates on the road cars back this up. The only clue is printed on the rear of one photo, which advises that this one print was done at Photographic Services, in Fahaheel, a suburb of Kuwait.
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Where were these races held? and who organised them? There was a karting club at RAF Khormaksar, run by the Khormaksar Go-Kart Club, with races being held on the airfield, using beer cans or boxes to mark the course. The kart races featured on this page though appear to be on a purpose-built track. I'm confident that someone will find this page and be able to fill in the details of the track, and perhaps the drivers that are shown.
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The go-kart racer's paddock.
Photograph number one is a paddock scene, with several petrol-engined go-karts being worked upon prior to a race. The chap in car number 24 appears in several of these photographs, which makes me think it was one of his gang that took these shots. A parking area for road cars is in the background, with examples of Mercedes-Benz, Standard, Peugeot and Borgward in evidence.
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A second photograph also features the paddock/pits area at a race meeting. Kart number 34 is being worked on in the foreground. A close look at the engine cover reveals an Aprilia badge, confirming the source of this kart's motor. A "Shell" sticker can be made out on the next kart's engine cover. All around are the tools of a mechanic's trade, namely toolboxes, petrol tins, oil cans (one of which is for BP Energol Motor Oil), and a foot pump. Although not clear in this scan, a medical box is hanging to the rope fence close to the BP oil can. The name Smith is written on it, with a first initial (that might be J, L, or I).
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A close-up photo captures mechanics studiously peering into a kart's single-cylinder engine.
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Let the racing commence.
Various action photos are included in this selection. Firstly, a shot of the cars gathered on the grid awaiting the fall of the starter's flag, positioned beneath a BP-sponsored Start / Finish sign. Row one has cars 35 and 29 lined up on it, with 28, 6, 20, 30, 32 and 19 also visible.
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The driver of kart number 28 is caught on film, negotiating a high-speed left turn. A marshal, with flags close to hand, looks on.
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Driver of kart number 24 is shown next, drifting his steed around a tight right-hander, avoiding the cunningly-placed old car tyres, positioned to prevent drivers cutting the corner. A Pirelli-logo'd marker sign can be seen to the right.
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The remainder of these classic kart-racing images will be added in soon.
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Return to Page 15 in the gallery of vintage cars and vehicles.
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