Click here to listen – The Kart Report – Mark Webber opens the new Circuit Mark Webber.
Circuit Mark Webber in Canberra was re-opened by the man whose name adorns
the track. Mark Webber said “It’s a real honour to be here today, it was 30
years ago that I drove down this straight for the first time in a go-kart,
and my dream was well and truly alive.”
Webber who is on a road trip from Noosa to the Grand Prix in Melbourne
stopped off at the Canberra Kart Racing Club’s track at Fairbairn Park to
officially open the circuit which has been extended to 1.1km making it one
of the most impressive in Australia. “It is important to me these facilities
[are] not only in Australia, but in my own backyard, Queanbeyan, Canberra,
the ACT”,
Webber hopes that participation in Karting and the Canberra club will
inspire the next generation of champions, “to give kids the opportunity to
learn how to drive a kart, learn how to win, learn how to lose, learn how to
manage your expectations, manage your emotions. I think sport in general is
an absolute brilliant teacher for the lessons that lay ahead in life.”
Webber who competed at the track between 1991-93 said Karting was important
in forming not only the driver he became but the person he is today, “I
didn’t grow up with everyone getting a ribbon for 5th place, it was about
trying to aspire do better and compare yourself to the best.”
He credited his father Alan with providing him with strong guidance, “he
never raised his voice at me once, and I think that was a nice way to get
better and learn how to do better at either racing or Monday to Friday as a
young lad.”
Webber was enthusiastic about the possibilities arising from the ACT
government’s investment in the track upgrade, including boosts to the local
economy and supporting “invigorating” activities for young people in the
area. He also shared some more personal observations, revealing a tangible
fondness for the venue where his karting career began.
“It’s really surreal. I can smell that fresh air. There are a lot of things
that bring back those tremendous memories for me to come back out here.
The journey this venue has gone on and continues to go on makes me very
proud and makes my Dad proud. I just keep thinking about the young kids that
get the opportunities to drive here. I just think of the positives that
happened to me coming here with my family and my dad.”
He was also quick to praise the new track design “I am stoked they’ve
managed to put in some really challenging sections now. Its going to be a
headache for a few guys to work it out.”
Webber said the Canberra track was the catalyst for his motor racing career,
“it was a big benefit to have the kart track so close by. I would never have
made formula 1 ever if the track wasn’t here.”
Circuit Mark Webber will host the first meeting on the new track on Sunday
22 March.
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