A long-time gymnast has turned her attention to the karting track.
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Maddie Cook's family has been involved in the Warrnambool Kart Club for years but her passion was gymnastics.
She explained she had retired and was now putting her energy into karting after having a year-long stint on the track about three years ago.
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Her dad, Jason, is WKC vice-president, her mum, Sheron, is the time keeper and her brother, Ryan, races around Australia.
Maddie said karting was a thrill.
"It's definitely different to any other type of sport, motorsport is very exhilarating, it's very diverse as well especially within karting because anyone can have a go at it," she said.
"We have lots of different classes for different ages, weights, different motors - slower or faster."
Maddie has long been a contributor off the track, helping in the canteen, with time keeping and tyre marking.
"I've always loved coming to all the races with my brother and supporting him and I've started to be in the kart myself so that's why we picked up the four-stroke which is a good little motor," the 19-year-old said.
"Because you can sit it aside for as long as you want and then jump back in.
"It's very low maintenance and low cost so you don't have to send it away to be rebuilt like the other motors.
"It's a good starter motor, I definitely look forward to doing bigger races down the track after I get a bit more practice."
The coronavirus pandemic lockdowns have been frustrating for the youngster who wants to get experience on the track.
"I got my motor about three months ago now but I only got out about two or three times before we went back into lockdown," she said.
"So I was actually looking at doing my first club race on the Sunday and we went into lockdown on the Friday (in August)."
Only social karting is permitted under the state government's coronavirus restrictions.
Maddie has her sights set on racing in club days when restrictions ease further to allow competition.
WKC vice-president Jason explained the club had received thousands of dollars in grant money through the state government's Community Motorsport Program.
The club received $5000 through the women and girls' participation stream.
Jason said that money would go toward the club purchasing three four-stroke engines that would help provide newcomers with the opportunity to try the sport.
Maddie said it would be great to see more females driving karts.
"There's lots of female involvement on the outside and participation off-track but it should be on the track too, so that would be really good," she said.
There's lots of female involvement on the outside and participation off-track but it should be on the track too, so that would be really good.
- Maddie Cook
Maddie reiterated the four stroke was a great motor for beginners.
"They're a bit of a slower motor than the other ones," she said.
"That means anyone can jump in and have a go, and it's not a big step.
"The two stroke are the other ones other people have - they are much faster than the four strokes."
WKC also gained a $10,000 grant through the safety and operational stream which Jason said would go to fencing around the track.
The six Victorian Country Series clubs also won a grant for officials with the money split between them.
Jason said WKC would get about $3000 from that.
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