RACING stars of the future will be on show at the annual Young Guns karting event at Lismore Showground this weekend.
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The event is run by the Lismore Kart Club with about 70 kids from across the country competing.
It is a major event on the karting calendar and has been running for nearly 30 years.
Competitors from Gold Coast and Toowoomba arrived on Thursday night to get practice laps in before the weekend.
There is also a family from Bundaberg and an entry from Sydney.
"Most of the entries are our local kids who race all year round," Lismore Kart Club president Jarrad Shailes said.
Divisions range from rookies, midgets, light heavy clubman and junior max.
He's gone on to race around the world and has had success as a co-driver with multiple teams in the V8 Supercar Series.
Jack Doohan, Broc Feeney and Nathan Herne used to compete against each other at the event as kids.
"It's starting point for some kids who are going to go on to bigger racing," Shailes said.
"Broc Feeney came second here nine years ago and now he's winning V8 Supercar races.
"I'm pretty sure Jack Doohen will be in Formula One next year and he was a regular for a lot of years, too.
"I remember his father (Mick Doohan) used to arrive by helicopter across the road.
"Jack Beeton is another one and then you have all the locals like Andrew Thompson and Nathan Herne who have gone on to bigger and better things."
Lismore ranks among the better tracks for junior competition.
It is located behind the showgrounds on Dunoon Road, North Lismore with spectators welcome.
A strong showing on the Lismore Kart Club track puts drivers in good stead for their junior careers.
Plenty of the local kids racing have set a goal for a top five or podium finish.
They will face the most competition from the south-east Queensland contingent.
"My young bloke (Levi) enjoys going up against one of the faster kids who comes down from the Gold Coast," Shailes said.
"He always asks if he's coming and he's pumped when I say yes because he wants to push himself to be better against the best drivers.
"The more kids who come from outside the region the more competitive it will be."
There will be a sibling rivalry at the event with brothers Ambrose and Rusty Sauer going up against each other.
Some of the top local juniors include Visili Baralos, Hudson Lippiatt and Oliver O'Shea.
Vasili rates Lismore among the top tracks.
"It's fast, short and flowing with a few sharp corners this makes it all very interesting especially when under pressure competing amongst some awesome drivers," he said.
"I look forward to the Young Guns Titles every year."
There are also talented girls in the club with August Soward to contest the KA3 Junior Light category
"August Soward is a good one and she's always competitive here," Shailes said.
"She actually lives in Brisbane, but is a member of our club because her pop is a local."
This year the event is sponsored by Lismore Toyota with plenty of trophies up for grabs.
The support of local businesses allows trophies to be awarded from first to fifth place as well as giveaways in every junior class.
Wynnum Haulage Motorsports are also on board again.
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