The Oakleigh kart track is situated only 25km from the Melbourne CBD, on the South Eastern side of the city. The club has been established for over 50 years and in that time many changes to the facility have taken place.

The club has a circuit over 900 metres in length as well as modern up to date facilities with licenced clubrooms and seating for up to 120, as well as a fully equipped kitchen to cater for members and their guests at club events.

Combine this with other features such as track lighting for night events, 3 story starters control tower and a 2 story race control, an under cover out grid, fully electric front gate for added security then add to this a circuit design that is both demanding on drivers skills and set-up. Oakleigh is hard circuit to master but once mastered allows the driver to gain the level of experience required for most other tracks. And judging by the number of National and State Champions that have gained their skills at Oakleigh you can see that if you master our track, you can win anywhere.

The Club is permanently expanding and has just purchased 8 Hectares of land. This will enable the club to relocate the exciting pit and car parking areas. The remainder of the land will at a later stage be used for other kart related activities.

Licensed membership levels at the club have stayed relatively stable over recent years, with a peak of just over 700 in the early 90's to a level of just over the 300 mark for the last 6 years. At Oakleigh our membership numbers are based on licence holders, not the total number of members, which is considerably higher.

Racing at the club consists of 10 Club Race days – generally held on the last Sunday of every month (check calendar) - and 3 to 4 Open Race Meetings throughout the Year. Club Day's attract about 160 entries with most classes being catered for.

Practice at the Club is restricted to club members only, they are issued with a key to allow them access into the track for practice any day of the week. The track is made available for Non Oakleigh members leading up to Open Race Meetings.

Thank you for taking the time to read this brief insight into the Oakleigh Go Kart Racing Club Inc. For more information on the club please feel free to contact us on the numbers in the contacts section.

Your track time and order is determined by the uncontrolled practice timetable located beside the out grid. The timetable is based on a clock face with 10 minute sessions dedicated to age groups, as shown.

The colors on each segment of the clock face are representative of the colors of the age group number plates.

Eg: Midget and Rookie number plates have red numbers on a white background.
 
Each practice session lasts 10 minutes from the time the first kart exits the out grid. If you are late for your practice session then you will have less time on the track.

Oakleigh has a Practice light system in place to make sure that each practice run lasts 10 minutes. When the first kart leaves the grid the pusher of that kart needs to press the button on the practice lights panel which is on the grid marshal’s box facing the out grid. The light on track (Positioned on the fence that separates the in and out grids, facing the track) will turn green - it will remain green for 8 minutes when it will then turn yellow for the remaining 2 minutes, in this time karts on track need to return to the pits. After the 10 minutes is up the light will turn red - all karts should be off the track by now. In those 10 minutes you should comfortably get 12 laps.

Pushers, when pushing karts off the line be sure to move to the left or right, depending on which side of the grid you are using, as soon as the kart starts so that you don't get run over by the kart behind you.

As new members to the club you may take quite a few sessions to "dial in" a respectable lap time. Be aware that there may be other drivers on the track that have more experience and are much faster than yourself, so just maintain your line and don't make any erratic moves to get out of their way.

When you wish to come in, indicate to other drivers that you are slowing to enter the "in grid" by raising one hand in the air. Enter the in grid at a much reduced speed.

If you breakdown or spin on the track, get out of your kart as soon as is safely possible. When safe to do so, remove your kart to a safe position well off the track or behind a flag marshalling point.

So, you have spent endless hours practicing to get your lap times to a reasonable level and now you are ready to compete in your first race meeting. It all seems a bit daunting first time out so here are some tips to help the day go smoothly.

Arrive at the track early enough to give yourself plenty of time to setup your pit area and submit your entry form for the meeting. Entries are taken from 7:00am. These times may vary so keep an ear out for announcements over the PA. Be aware that at some club days there can be more than 200 entries so don't leave your run too late. I find that a 6:45am arrival gives me adequate time to prepare and get entered.

Try to set your kart up and fill out the entry and scrutineering forms the day before as this will give you more time to prepare on race morning. As you get more experienced you will find you do things more efficiently. Take your licence and money to the race entry office where you will be entered into your nominated class/es. As you will be on P Plates for the first four meetings the race secretary will hold your licence until the end of the day for endorsement ( DON'T FORGET TO PICK IT UP). After you have entered make final setup adjustments to your kart depending on the weather conditions. Once entries are closed you can check your grid positions for the first two heats. Grid positions for the first two heats are randomly drawn and are displayed on the board on the grid near the grid marshal box. As this is your first race meeting and you are on P Plates, expect to start at or near the rear of the grid.

A warm up session, referred to as a carby session, generally begins around 8:30am and is usually about 4 laps. Check the carby session order which can be found posted in the window of the grid marshals box beside the out grid and listen for instructions announced over the PA system. Be aware that the carby session order may be different to race order. Use this session to warm your engine and tyres and to survey the track surface for any last minute setup changes.

Racing generally gets under way around 10:00am so you should have plenty of time to make adjustments to your kart and have a nice cup of coffee to calm the nerves. The canteen is a great place to buy that calming cup of coffee. Listen for an announcement to attend a drivers briefing. This takes place on the grid and it is compulsory to attend. Non attendance will result in a fine. When the drivers briefing has concluded it is an opportune time to check the race order, which should be posted in the grid marshals box.

Race start time will be announced over the PA. It is a good idea to grid up when the field two races in front of you exits the grid. Sometimes the class/es before you may be recalled to the grid for any number of reasons, so be ready and pay attention.

During the race you may find that you have a blue flag waved at you, this means that you are about to be lapped. Don't let this worry you into making a radical move. Just maintain your line so that the karters behind you can anticipate where you are going. I have seen lots of potential race winners taken out by back markers zigging and zagging in an effort to get out of the way. Remember, maintaining your race line is the safest option for you and the other competitors.

When the first two heats have been run you need to check your grid position for the final. This position is determined by the points accumulated from your finishing positions in the first two heats.

Remember that we have all been in the position you are in now, so if in doubt about anything just ask someone who looks like they know what they are doing. You will find other members only too happy to help you.

When racing is finished clean up the space around your pit area and visit the canteen for that well earned drink, maybe even a trophy.

Good luck and most importantly have a good time.

Please remember NO SMOKING or naked flames in the pit area.

OGKRC is very progressive and has the most modern up to date facilities of any club in the state:

• Three Alfano strips embedded into track
• Modern grid box under pit area roof
• Closed circuit T.V.
• AMB transponders are used for all club day meetings
• Results are available to download from MYLAPS.com - see main page on this site
• Security access gate - member are issued with their own electronic key
• Airconditioned canteen facilities - available on race weekends
• Bar facilities available at conclusion of racing
• Scales shed to weigh karts - open on race weekends
• Compressed air available
• 32 kart under cover grid capacity
• Ample pit spaces to cater for trailers/canopies.
• All pit areas have lighting and P.A. systems
• Grandstand seating
• Large modern toilet block with showers and disabled access
• Huge carpark area
• Eftpos facilities
• Modern maintenance equipment
• Friendly atmosphere

You can join up at the following kart shops:

Or at Oakleigh Kart Club by arrangement with the Licence.

Please download the application form for membership by clicking here.

Note: Attendance at 2 working bees allows two club day entries free of charge.