Speed in the family

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32430, 17 October 1970, Page 9

Speed in the family

TWO young boys who A appear to have a bright future in the sport of gokarting are 12-year-old Ross Campbell and his younger brother, Glen, who Is 10. Ross won the South Island junior 100 c.c, title at the Carrs Road (Halswell) circuit, in July, at only his second meeting. Last week-end, Glen drove in his first meeting, at Greymouth, and won, three races in promising style.. “Neither of them had even seen a go-kart until last Easter,” the boys’ father (Mr R. C. Campbell) said. The boys had been more interested in other sports.

The boys appear to have taken readily to the track and Ross has already won a number of trophies. However, they might have inherited some- of their talent and fondness for the sport from their father, who was a prominent speedway and hillclimb competitor some years ago. Mr Campbell was a speedway competitor in many countries, and raced against O. Fundin, R. Moore and B. Briggs, the famous trio of former world champions who are still active in Europe. His titles included the Scottish speedway championship (twice), the Argentine championship, 1 and several minor

South African titles. He also won New Zealand and South African motor-car hill-climb championships. Ross and Glen drive gokarts with 98 c.c. engines and will not be able to graduate to the bigger twin-engined machines until they are 16. However, their present karts are capable of high speeds. Several weeks ago, Ross, together with two other youngsters, lan Love and Peter Hodges, beat a Nelson combination in a teams’ event at Nelson. A similar race was planned at Greymouth, but Ross’s engine failed during the first event and he had to be content to watch Glen pick up the prizes.