Sharon Jaenke / Monaco Kart / Leopard engine / MG FZ tyres

(above) Local Gympie driver Sharon Jaenke behind the wheel of her Monaco Kart


Local Accountant Sharon Jaenke will put the calculator down and pick up her racing suit as she lines up against some of the country's best drivers in the Southern Cross Motorsports Queensland Karting Championships in Gympie this weekend.

Jaenke, who hung up the soccer boots to begin her karting career seven years ago, is one of over a dozen female drivers competing in the championships.

"During school I was a representative soccer player but after having my first drive of a kart I was bitten by the motorsport bug and the soccer boots got put away in the cupboard," said Jaenke.

"Karting gives you a huge buzz and also allows the girls to take on the boys on an even playing field."

This even playing field and a desire to ‘beat the boys at their own game' is something that Jaenke believes has encouraged more females to get involved in the sport of karting.

"I'll be the first to admit that when I first started karting I was far from great but karting is a sport that really rewards practice, perfection and determination," said Janeke, who finished second in the Queensland Closed State Championships last year.

"It is great to see so many girls coming through the sport, especially considering many of the girls are juniors who are taking on the boys while also learning a lot of driving techniques along the way.

"It's funny that it's only when you are not actually competing that you take into consideration whether you're racing against guys or girls. When you put your suit and helmet on, everyone else is just another competitor that you want to beat."

Jaenke will line up in the 125cc LEOPARD LIGHT category in this weekend's championship against the likes of current National Champion Tyler Greenbury, Brendon Nelson, Ryan Wlodinski and defending Champion John Grother.

A total of 385 competitors will be racing at the Championships across 15 categories with drivers, both guys and girls, varying in age from seven years old in the Midgets class through to well over 40 years of age.

Practice for the event begins on Wednesday followed by qualifying on Friday. Racing will continue across the weekend with the championship finals being contested on Sunday.

The Cooloola Coast Kart Club is located on Runge Road, Gympie.

excerpt from the Australian Karting Associate website read article here