CQBC have entered blokarting in the 2012 RACQ Insurance North Queensland Games. Racing will be held at Illawong Sports Reserve, Petrie Street, Mackay over the weekend of 23-24 June. The Mackay Regional Council have given us a lease to use the land for the event. The main area is an AFL field with surround land around the perimeter and another rectangle block almost as big on the northern end. The ground is being mowed and levelled and will give us a change of surface as most of us normally sail on the beaches here. Entry is open to all blokart users from throughout Queensland and beyond. We will be using Friday the 22nd as a registration/practice day with short course racing to be run Saturday and Sunday. Racing is expected to start from 10.00am until late afternoon. Early entry is a must as we have to get all details back into the 2012 RACQ Insurance North Queensland Games organisers. The NQ Games is run every 2 years and is rotated between the major NQ cities. It is open to all sports and is expected to get 10 000 to 15 000 competitors throughout the various sports. The entry form is now available. Contact me and I can email it through. Darren dbianchi2@bigpond.com

RACQ NQ Games is only 7 weeks away. Free camping is available on site with access to Eastern Swans AFL shower and toilet amenity block provided. The grounds are next to Mackay airport and rides can be organised for those flying in. Extra tents can be provided if needed. Local shopping centres and the city heart are only a few kilometers from the grounds. For those looking at travelling, there are several karts available for loan or share so you don't have to bring all your own gear up. The track is coming on well with another working bee this long weekend sure to dress it up more. Entry forms need to be in soon and are available on the ABA web site at http://www.australianblokartassociation.org/events.php or contact me and I can email one through. Darren

Entry time has been extended by the RACQ NQ Games. Here are some photos of the track. More work has been done since they were taken by Barak. Free camping is available on site. Tents can be supplied to save bringing your own. We still have some loan karts available for those wanting to fly in / fly out. Transport can be arranged if you let us know in advance. The club van will be on site with its Bar-B-Que for those needing to cook.

The rain has finally gone away, the track is dry and the surface is hardening up well, so final preparation is in full swing. Cameron got access to a large ride-on today from Townsend Industries and with Bob from AFL doing an initial mow on the oval, Cameron re-mowed the track area & some of the outer while Darren cleaned up some more of the surrounds with the brush cutter. Tomorrow will see Darren & Lachlan return to clear the southern end & the rest of the parking/camping area. Anyone with a chain saw and a bit of time spare- we will be down there from late morning. Any offers of help are welcome so don't hesitate to contact us. Any of those who have not registered to race, and are wanting to race, may still enter. NQ Games have allowed us to take late entries on the day but earlier would be preferred. If you are a 'possible ' entry please let us know so we can include you in the race file. For those not looking at racing- we will still need helpers to run the event, so come along & enjoy our company & help the club out. Friday night will be the opening ceremony at Virgin Australia Stadium. We would like to have as many karts as possible in the display. Spectators , family & friends are welcome and encouraged with free entry to the opening ceremony. Those bringing karts along are to be there by 4.30pm ideally wearing club colours but be aware it will be cool & you may need a jacket. The ceremony will start at 5.30pm Friday 22nd & will be finished by 8pm with a spectacular fireworks display. RACQ NQ Games are hosting a gala dinner at the Ocean International on Thursday night 21st for all entrants , family & friends. Tickets are $65/ head or table of 10 for $600. This includes 3 course dinner, a complimentary drink on arrival & a cash bar afterwards. Music will be by Fat Cigars & special guest is Wendell Sailor. Contact us as soon as possible if interested in attending this. Looking forward to catching up with everyone next week. Deb

Thanks to everyone from Mackay and Rocky who made me feel so welcome, especially without hubby with me for the first time at an event. A huge thank you to Ruth and Dave and Cameron and Mel for looking after me to well with somewhere to stay, food and transport. It was great to catch up with old friends and meet some more new friends in blokarting and if we can ever repay the friendship if anyone is in Brisbane just let us know.