Following the Government's announcements today, KartSport New Zealand regrets to advise that all affiliated Club Tracks and Complexes are closed for all activity with immediate effect until further notice. All Competition Permits Suspended: Following the government’s latest COVID-19 announcement regarding non-essential travel or gatherings, the KartSport New Zealand Executive regrets to advise that all KartSport New Zealand event Permits, including Club Days, are suspended until further notice. If you are busy working on sustaining your business, job and or protecting the safety of your family there is no need to read further at this time. Updates will continue to be made on our KartSport “Health & Safety” page.
Statement of Graeme Moore, National President KartSport New Zealand:
"KartSport New Zealand sincerely regrets to have had to make the declaration to suspend all permitted events until further notice. As President I can assure you our Risk and Competitions team along with Executive members and key stakeholders have done everything in our power to keep our beloved sport on track however events regionally, nationally and globally have overtaken us.
Prior to the decision to cancel the Armstrong Motor Group Nationals at Canterbury and likewise the ProKart Rotorua event our crisis team had developed a range of management policies and procedures to enable KartSport to continue to hold events under the current government directives including: online registration, physical distancing, paper or text drivers-briefings, withdrawal of any food or beverage services. It has now become clear that to add significant COVID-19 management and control processes over and above the normal race day duties required of our volunteer officials and clubs is in this environment beyond our resources to manage in a safe manner. Even with online registrations and other tools we have created it is apparent from other events witnessed not all parties comply fully, nor declare accurately their status and we, as a volunteer organisation, are not police nor qualified health workers.
Clubs and promoters that are considering or have already chosen to cancel or postpone events including club days have also come under pressure from various factions to continue to hold events. This personal pressure is a burden administrators and especially our officials must not be forced to face especially as many are of an age or demographic that puts them in the greatest risk to themselves and or their families.
We also acknowledge the strain that this move will place on our promotional partners, karting trade colleagues and promoters however we are sure that you understand that we must all play our part in helping mitigate this national crisis. Further separate communication will follow to these parties.
Finally, it could be argued as a nation that despite some significant positive moves we are already a lap down on measures taken by countries currently leading the race to control and overcome this adversary, that is not how KartSport rolls. So again, on behalf of all at KartSport New Zealand please accept with good grace and a significant dollop of common sense that at this stage we need to drop a few heats so we can be the front again in the final.
Our best wishes to all in the karting fraternity, eyes forward and stay safe."