Ocean Island Kart Club

The following ‘snippet’ was from Banaban Heritage Society member Brian Bailey about the introduction of go-kart racing and the set-up of the Ocean Island Kart [1] Club during the 1960s. His story appeared in 'A Snippet From the Past", Banaba/Ocean Island News, Issue No. 12 (Nov-Dec 1994) [2]

At a regular British Phosphate Commission (BPC) [3] European Club evening, in the later part of 1962, someone, I believe Ted Ilton, produced an English technical sales paper advertising go-karts. From that gathering, nine karts were ordered from the United Kingdom via the BPCs Island trade store. Ted Ilton worked as a store assistant in this fine-quality store.

Nine karts arrived as quick as a flash six months later. The nine owners from memory were:

• Ted Ilton, trade store assistant
• Peter Lightburn, apprentice fitter
• Marc Strachan, harbour master
• Max Middleton, electrician
• Mick Commons, electrician
• Alan Basset, trade store assistant
• Brian Bailey, resident marine and electrical engineer
• And two others who sold their machines to:
• Max Farley, motor mechanic
• Don Begbie, diesel mechanic

These additional Ocean Island Kart Club member’s names have been provided by Society members Michael and Yvonne Kaukas :

• Kevin Bickerton
• Ian Shearn
• Peter Conrad
• Max Middleton

Racing started after several acts of pure piracy. As Secretary of the Club, I applied to the company management for us to race on a figure-eight track in an area known as the airstrip [4]. Tom Muir, the company manager, was somewhat reluctant to grant the okay because I assumed he may have been concerned about objections from the Banaban traditional landowners [5]. I believe the question was referred to the Melbourne office for approval.

The above video showing Go Kart racing on Ocean Island is from Dr. Ron & Heather Newman - Banaba Collection 1962

Jack Toppin, from the civil engineering department roadmaker, was approached about the construction of the track. Jack possibly said ‘No Way’, but as he was going to test a grader and road sweeper soon, we got our request.

So the track appeared, and even though Jack had to hide it, he made sure it was regularly watered to stop the dust. Tyres suddenly appeared around the track, and on one Saturday, a secret meeting was arranged. Karts were fueled up, push started, and the fund commenced.

It was noisy and dusty but a lot of fun. The audience grew, including Chappie (Chapman, the Assistant Manager) and even Tom Muir. Children and the island boys drove, and wives and single girls drove. Everyone had a crash hat, goggles, etc. We had night meetings using vehicle headlights for illumination.

The karts were fairly robust and fitted with a 98cc Briggs & Stratton two-stroke U.S. build engine. Karts were sold and brought. Max Farley was the fastest driver in those early days, and Maria Bailey was the runner-up.

Don Begbie worked on an old machine and got it going, I believe, to rival Max Farley. March Strachan was there, and he loved it. So did all of us. Driving a kart was a super experience, making you feel like your little kart was going at Grand Prix speed.

What eventually happened after 1964-65 is perhaps a story for someone else to relate.

Nauru also had a Kart Club where competition was hot.

______________________________

1. A kart or go-kart is a small four-wheel motorised machine usually raced by children and adults as a fun sport.

2. Published Banaba/Ocean Island News No. 12 (Nov-Dec 1994)

3. The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Phosphate_Commission

4. The area of Banaba known during the mining era as the 'airstrip', is also commonly referred to as 'topside'.

5. For more information on the indigenous Banaban people - Come Meet the Banabans http://www.banaban.com