Driving Of Go-karts On Roads Opposed

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30677, 17 February 1965, Page 6

Driving Of Go-karts On Roads Opposed

The use of go-karts on the public highway, either registered and warranted or otherwise, was not condoned by the New Zealand Go-Kart Federation, said its secretary (Mr F. B. Spensley) in a statement.

Mr Spensley supported the remarks of the district officer of the Transport Department (Mr D. L. Hogan) about the

use of a go-kart on public roads at Hanmer Springs. “All karts are too low in their silhouette to be safely used as a means of transport on any highway," Mr Spensley said. “All clubs and members are strongly advised against such a practice, even when they have gone to the trouble to become registered and warranted according to Transport Department instructions.

“What does perturb us greatly is the fact that we doubt very much whether the vehicle under discussion is a go-kart. Our federation has a comprehensive record of every genuine kart in New Zealand. We do not have one recorded for the Hanmer Springs area.” he said. “Previously, adverse publicity for our sport was inadvertently given by the newspapers in a similar incident where a youth was apprehended and charged in Court. A responsible officer of our federation examined the vehicle in question and it was not a go-kart or anything like one. The only approachable factor was the size of the wheels. It was r minature racing car with bodywork and all. “We sincerely hope that the person concerned is appre hended and that the law taker its course. We also hope t< find it finally reported that the vehicle used is not a gokart. Too often, any motorpowered vehicle on barrowtype wheels is for convenience classed as a gokart,” said Mr Spensley.