November 19th, 2007
Equality is the name of the game when it comes to karting – and Kirsty Lawrence is proving she is more than able to compete with the boys.
Recently, the Year 11 student finished second in a National Kart Racing Association championship race in the 12 to 17 age group and now has her sights set on being one of the country’s top karters.
Kirsty practices at tracks at Newark, at Fulbeck and on occasions at Wombwell near Barnsley, and as she points out there is no discrimination against - or in favour of - girls.
“There aren’t that many girls who do it and there’s no separate section, we are racing against the boys who can get a bit jealous when girls beat them!” she explained. “My dad was into karting and it was seeing my brother having a go that made me want to try it.”
Kirsty explained that the karts can reach 70mph, although with so many bends in the track, she doesn’t normally achieve anything near that speed.
Kirsty’s brother races in the over 17 age group and the pair have travelled all over the country in pursuit of their hobby, though Kirsty had to take time out last year when she rolled the kart and broke her collar bone.
Her father owns Hawthorn Suzuki and Kirsty also has sponsorship from Henderson Insurance and a couple of other companies for which is quite an expensive sport.
“We carry spares with us but the karts and repairs cost quite a lot, then of course we have to have helmets and overalls,” she explained. “All the races are the same, generally eight lap heats and 10 lap finals but the karts can be different to a certain degree.”