Pitstop ready to roll
THE operators of Pitstop Karting are refusing to let thieves stop them from opening their new Townsville racetrack.
Managing director Joelene Accatino said she was “bloody excited” to announce the track would open to the public today.
Track owner Dale Dunston previously told the Townsville Bulletin the spate of robberies in which thieves made off with a kart, engine and specialist tools worth more than $20,000 had him questioning if it was worth opening at all.
Thieves were brazen enough to target the track twice on one weekend at the start of the month, dealing a nasty blow to the operators.
The two robberies followed another in July.
CCTV captured a white ute driving around the property. The footage has been handed to police.
Ms Accatino said while police continued to investigate the robberies she was excited to see the project come to life after months of work.
“We’re needing to get the doors open and the karts going around,” she said. “We’re very appreciative of the generosity of Ultra Tools and Burson Auto Parts.”
Ms Accatino said the two local businesses donated tool sets after hearing of the karting track’s plight.
She said the soft opening of the track at the weekend would allow for the final few adjustments of the karts and track.
Ms Accatino said the track would open from noon to 6pm today while on Saturday and Sunday it would be open from 10am to 6pm. Lights still needed to be installed to allow the track to eventually operate until 10pm.
Race sessions last 10 minutes and cost $30. Costs are discounted if more than one session is purchased.
Dual karts are available for hire, with the passenger racing for free although the driver must be over 18. Racers must be over 128cm to use the junior karts or taller than 150cm to use the senior karts.
Pitstop Karting previously operated an indoor karting track and rollerskating rink in Condon, which closed in July.
The new track on 1-7 Caldwell St, Garbutt, will be the only facility in Townsville where customers will be able to hire go-karts.