World Record Karting Attempt for V8 Ute Driver

V8 Ute racer Cam Wilson will put himself to the ultimate enduro test when he takes on a World Record Attempt today and tomorrow at his Brisbane Indoor Karting Centre.

Wilson will take to the track at 12pm today, and is expecting to finish at 12pm on Wednesday, followed by a huge celebration at the indoor karting centre. Wilson will aim to set a new record for the greatest distance travelled indoors in 24 hours, driving a Go-Kart as an individual.

The owner of both Brisbane and Gold Coast Karting indoor centres, Wilson was forced to reschedule the event from November last year, due to an injury he suffered after a major incident at the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600. His #25 Ford was written off after contact by David Sieders in the back chicane.

Wilson is just happy to be back in a kart again and is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I know I’ll be feeling the pain when I finish and can hopefully walk afterwards but it’s really worth it. I’m feeling nervous, but fighting fit so bring it on,” an enthusiastic Wilson said.

The Gold Coast resident is hoping to break the current record of 503km and at the same time raise funds and awareness of Huntington’s Queensland, an association that supports those suffering from the genetic disorder.

It’s a cause close to Wilson’s heart, with his father Murray, 66, suffering from the disease and Cam, 39, unsure yet whether he has inherited the condition.

“My father had symptoms from the age of 44, but was not diagnosed until he was 55. It has been a shocking thing to watch it take over his body and mind,” Wilson said. 

“I have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease and, if I do get it, then my little daughter Ellie – who is just three and half – also has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the condition.

“I have great hope of a cure being found in my lifetime, and most certainly in Ellie’s, but that will only happen if medical researchers receive the necessary funding.”

Wilson is encouraging people to come down, show their support, join in the excitement of the occasion as well as try their hand at driving a Kart themselves and taking on some of the drivers from the V8 Ute Series including two-time champion Ryal Harris, Kris “Killa” Walton, Wayne “Wahoo” Wakefield, Peter “Gangsta” Burnitt and Ryan Hansford just to name a few.

“We’re expecting 50 to maybe 200 people, where not really sure exactly how many will show, but we encourage the public to come down and have a run in one of the Karts on the Wednesday.”

Wilson has also found support from Eagle Boys Pizza Tingalpa, who will be selling slices for $1, with all the proceedings going to the foundation.

“Everything we make on the day will go to Huntington’s Queensland and I’ll be presenting them with the cheque on Wednesday afternoon, let’s hope it will be for fifty thousand dollars,” said a hopeful Wilson.

Wilson was unable to finish his 2013 V8 Ute campaign, due to the Gold Coast incident, but is hoping that he will walk away with  a win in the World Record, before he hits the streets of Adelaide in a few weeks’ time for the Clipsal 500, which is the season opener for the V8 Utes, running from February 27 to March 2.