More than 200 grass karters have entered the GDC 2026 New Zealand Grass Kart Championships being hosted in Ashburton this weekend.
The two-day event will run at Le Bretons Rd, Wakanui from 8am Saturday and finish about 3pm on Sunday.
Ashburton Family Go Kart Club president Kyle Robertson said there were 230 competitors entered; 80 were aged between five and 17 years of age.
“It’s pretty exciting to have the ability to host the event for the first time in Ashburton,” he said.
“We have 70 registered competitors under the Ashburton club, which is twice the amount we’ve ever had.
“I think last year we had 30 people registered under the Ashburton name when we went to Dunedin last year.”
The Ashburton club has an impressive six current national champions among its members.
Five of them will compete again this year.
Robertson, who won the national super kart title last year, is sitting out this year as a ‘sabbatical’, instead focused on making sure the event goes smoothly.
He said he had a “great committee”, was appreciative of the sponsorships from people and businesses, including landowner Alastair McBain, and neighbouring landowners who had lent tractors in the past few weeks getting the track into shape.
Robertson said he was also especially grateful to Greg Donaldson Contracting for their “massive amount of help” providing equipment needed to keep the event running over the weekend.
The contractor also has naming rights on the 2026 event which was expected to draw in more than 1500 people into the district.
Robertson said 14 different classes would be raced over Saturday and Sunday starting at from 8am each day.
Classes ranged from children’s midget grade through to the adult super kart premier grade.
Spectating is free of charge.
“We haven’t used this paddock before. We’ve had a crew of committee members spending the last six weeks prepping the track, designing the paddock layout and stuff.
“There will be plenty of food vendors on site.
“There’s a few trucks to use as grandstands. Very easy and spectator friendly.”
The prizegiving ceremony is a ticketed event at the Ashburton Aviation Museum.
– The 2026 GDC Grass Karts National Championship at Le Bretons Rd (at Christys Rd intersection), Wakanui Saturday and Sunday from 8am. Spectators are welcome to watch. Free entry. Food and beverage vendors are on site.
