On October 10 2010 the club's name was changed to KartSport Whangarei Incorporated.
A formed track was developed during 1974. During the 12 months it took to seal the track, the members travelled each month to the Mount Wellington circuit in South Auckland to compete.
The club's president at the time was Ray Cameron. In addition to organising the first track sealing, he purchased the old Badminton Club House at Kensington Park and it was relocated to the track. This remained the club house for more than 25 years until old age finally caught up on it.
On December 3 1980, consent was granted by the Whangarei County Council to develop a permanent track on a 2.29ha allotment that was subdivided by Edward Anderson for use as a private recreation area by the Whangarei Kart Club.
The certificate of title of the land was transferred to the club on April 19, 1983. The complex is known as Anderson Park in honour of the man who transferred ownership of the land to the club.
Sage said therecords could not pinpoint the level of membership over the years.
"Can't say exactly as we have hardly any early records of membership. However currently on a high and growing, national stats show we are the second fastest growing club," he said.
"The majority of clubs are either going backwards or holding their own we are growing an average of 30 per cent the last year."
There are more than 35 active race kart drivers ranging from cadet class starting with 7-year-old members through to seniors over 65 years of age.
Paul Wilson, left, and Carina Vickers make some last minute adjustments at the Whangarei Kart Club club meeting at the Austin Road track in Maunu in 2010. Photo/John Stone
Karters from Auckland and further away often come to Whangarei, including Bay of Plenty Eastern Bay of Plenty and Hastings, for the experience of racing on a short track with very tight corners.
Club days are held each month and with the gates opening at 8am. Members live from as far away as Kerikeri in the north and Auckland in the south.
As racing is normally over by 4pm, those competitors living outside of Whangarei have time to get back home in the early evening after a full day of racing fun.
As for what set KartSport Whangarei apart from other clubs around the country, Sage said it was the culture.
"It's the club culture that sets us apart, on the track it's all out competition and winning is the name of the game but in the pits it's all about whatever is needed to get everybody ready for the next race," he said.
"You will often see a group of racers working on one kart even at championship events. Advice is freely given. The best bit is when we hear from karters who have travelled from their own clubs say we love coming up here it's always friendly and you run an awesome days racing."
During October and November of 2013, the track was closed for practice and racing. During that time the laying of concrete, curbing, landscaping and fencing to extend the track to 525m, up from the previous 380m, was carried out.
Hervey Hill walks down to his pit area as mum Kathlee Hill wheels the kart back in 2014. Photo/Ron Burgin
The extended part of the track is between 6m and 7m wide. The track has been certified for use in both directions in its new configuration and was officially reopened on the December 2013 Club Day.
Celebrations for bringing up 50 years were not extravagant, but was a great day out for those involved.
"We held a party on at the track which formed part of our annual Bathurst in the Valley Enduro event, which is proving to be an absolute classic event," Sage said.
Sage said the club wouldlook to keep on developing. "Kart Sport NZ are always changing to protect the future of the sport but for us we are planning more renovations at the track and for new club house facilities, which is happening now," he said.
"We also want to finish off the resurfacing of the track over the next two years but mostly running awesome race events and growing the membership without losing our culture."
