Karters countdown to championships

Matthew Lee | 1st July 2009

GYMPIE karting competitors are counting down the days to this weekend, when the Cooloola Coast Kart Club proudly hosts the Southern Cross Motorsports Queensland Karting Championships.

And one Gympie competitor keen to get out and burn some rubber on the track is local accountant Sharon Jaenke.

Jaenke will be competing in the 125cc Leopard Light category.

Jaenke, who has tasted success before on her home track, is one of more than a dozen female contenders hoping to leave a lasting impact on the event.

The emerging karting talent spoke with the Australia Karting Association ahead of her big weekend.

“I'll be the first to admit that when I first started I was far from great but karting is a sport that really rewards practice, perfection and determination,” she said.

Jaenke also said she was pleased to see a growing female presence at the bigger karting events.

“It is great to see so many girls coming through the sport, especially considering many of the girls are juniors who are taking on the boys,” she said.

Practice begins this Wednesday followed by qualifying on Friday.

Racing continues on the weekend with finals taking place on Sunday.