Chronicle Editor
MOTORSPORT Zimbabwe has unveiled a new karting track located just close to the iconic National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Interestingly, the visionaries behind this groundbreaking project are the father and son duo of Kevin and Zac Dufty, both former Zimbabwean karting champions.
Drawing inspiration from renowned South African tracks and the prestigious South Garda kart track in Italy, the Duftys embarked on the mission to establish a world-class karting facility in Zimbabwe.
The completion of this state-of-the-art facility has reportedly already attracted newcomers to the sport and is set to revolutionise the karting scene in the country.
The venue itself was transformed from a disused car park with a rough surface into a meticulously crafted track.
Local company Stoddart Machinery played a pivotal role by laying an asphalt slurry specially formulated surface to withstand the rigorous demands of karting.
“Designed as a comprehensive karting centre, the venue offers a wide range of racing and rental kart activities, in addition to housing a dedicated kart shop and top-notch coaching facilities. The early feedback from both professional racers and rental kart enthusiasts has been overwhelmingly positive, further elevating the visibility and popularity of karting in Zimbabwe,” said Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
Spanning an impressive 800 metres in length and nine meters in width, the track boasts a perfect blend of fast-flowing stretches and technical sections, ensuring a positive experience for drivers of all skill levels.
It was revealed that the race track can be driven in both anticlockwise and clockwise directions, providing endless variety.
Additionally, rental kart enthusiasts can explore further possibilities with nine alternative track configurations.
Emphasising safety as a top priority, the newly constructed karting track complies with the FIA technical and meets all local safety requirements.
It was said: “The dedicated management team is committed to providing a secure environment for karting enthusiasts and is actively working towards achieving global FIA safety standards. To promote sustainability, the facility is fully powered by a solar inverter system, ensuring its electricity needs are met while reducing its carbon footprint. After a two-week curing period, extensive testing commenced, with minor adjustments made to certain sections of the track to optimise grip levels and minimise tyre wear.”
Online Reporter