Youth mentoring through motorsport
A community mentoring program that uses speedway karting to help young people build confidence, resilience, practical skills and positive connections with trusted adults.
Every young person deserves a positive role model and a go behind the wheel.
Based at Illabo Motorsport Park, the program runs safe, supervised "come 'n' try" sessions, with a focus on young people who face social, financial or other barriers to taking part. Refurbished karts and transport equipment keep the cost down for families.
Mentoring starts long before anyone sits in a kart. Participants learn to prepare a kart, carry out basic maintenance, check safety gear, follow event procedures and work as a team. That builds patience, communication, problem-solving and respect, which carry over to school, work and life.
What participants do
- Junior speedway karting in a safe, supervised setting
- Mechanical and maintenance skills, refurbishing and preparing karts
- Teamwork in pit crew and event support roles
- Leadership and communication alongside mentors and volunteers
- Motorsport safety, sportsmanship and personal responsibility
A pathway for every young person
Some want to drive. Others love the machinery, helping officials, working in the pits or running things behind the scenes. Karts sized for different ages and experience levels let everyone progress at their own pace.
Accessible to as many young people as possible
A planned two-seater buggy will let beginners, and anyone not yet ready or able to drive on their own, experience the track beside an experienced mentor. Refurbished equipment, fundraising and grants keep the program affordable.
Supporting regional youth
The program is open to young people from Junee, Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Temora, Gundagai and nearby communities. The biggest value is often belonging: being known, encouraged and respected by a crew of volunteers and families.
Many of our drivers, officials and volunteers started as young participants themselves. The program gives today's kids a pathway to become drivers, mechanics, officials and eventually mentors.
Everyone belongs at the track
Karts for Kids is open to people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, genders and identities. We're especially keen to welcome young people who don't usually see themselves represented in motorsport.
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