Karting Australia’s 2025 Honours and Awards Dinner
Karting Australia hosted its gala 2025 Honours and Awards Dinner at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast on Saturday night, with the celebration paying honour to the sports vast make-up of talented and tireless individuals, that have helped shape Karting into the mass racing driver factory that it is.
Main Image: (Karting Australia Chair Kevin Davis with Lifetime Achievement Recipient Maureen Capri)
The evening featured the presentation of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, Impact on Karting Award, Life Memberships, and Hall of Fame inductions, honouring individuals who have shaped the sport’s landscape while recognising the contributions of those who have played pivotal roles in shaping the sport.
(L-R) Lifetime Achievement recipients: Dawn Hull, Paul Hull, Sandra Walker, Maureen Capri and Karen Arnett.
Lifetime Achievement Awards…
Among the lifetime achievement award getters were Alf and Maureen Capri, Sandra Walker, Karen Arnett, Derek Ferry, Paul and Dawn Hull, and Sylvia Stania.
The Capri’s founded the Ipswich Kart Club back in1958 and have been contributors to the sport for over 60 outstanding years in Queensland, with their legacy and lasting influence playing a role in shaping karting governance, supporting drivers, officials, and volunteers.
In WA, Walker has been a powerhouse behind the scenes, and was treasurer of karting WA for 33 years, and ex Grade One Steward and Clerk of Course, she transformed the club into a financially stable operation.
Karting Australia Director John Reynolds and Pam Arnett accepting Sylia Stania’s Life Membership
Arnett has been a key figure in Victoria for over 30 years, playing a noted leadership role in the Bendigo Kart Club. Advancing into the position of Race Director at the Australian Kart Championship, she was also instrumental in implementing the CMS system and training officials.
Similarly, Ferry has also been in the Karting for over 30 years, helping shape the sport as Newcastle Kart Club President and later as Chair and CEO of Karting NSW.
Again from NSW, the Hull’s have been pillars of karting in the state, with former racer Paul serving as Tamworth Kart Club President and State Technical Officer, while Dawn managed the club’s canteen and served as State Secretary for Karting Australia (NSW).
Marilyn Pizarro and daughter Lisa Dennis accepting the Hall of Fame Medal on behalf of John Pizarro
Lastly Stania has dedicated decades of her time to Victorian karting as Officials Coordinator for 10 years, and is a Life Member of Karting Victoria and the Go Kart Club of Victoria.
Hall of Fame inductees…
Karting Australia Hall of Fame Members Jon Karting Hall of Fame inductees – Targett, Drew Price, Remo Luciani and David Sera
Joining the likes of James Courtney, Jon Targett, Brian Hunter, Graham Powles, John Pizarro on the honour list were the 2025 inductees: Drew Price, Remo Luciani, David Sera, and Jamie Whincup.
Price, the founder of Drew Price Engineering (DPE), is recognised as a six-time national champion, making him one of the most successful in Australian history, and is recognised as a pioneer in turning Karting into a legitimate pathway into touring cars.
Luciani has been an industry leader both on and off the track for over four decades, With multiple state and national titles to his name, he also went on to establish Remo Racing – supplying Australia’s karters with top-tier equipment and technical expertise.
Sera holds a remarkable record of 18 Australian championships, but has also excelled beyond the track as a vital coach and mentor to countless competitors, using his peerless knowledge to help nurture young talent across the country.
Lastly Whincup – who needs little introduction in Australia’s motorsport landscape – has never shied away from accrediting the importance of his Karting roots which led him to seven Supercars
Championships and four Bathurst 1000 victories.
Photo of the year…
Karting Australia also celebrated the incredible work of its accredited photographers at the 2025 Honours and Awards Dinner, recognising their dedication to capturing the sport’s action and emotion. With more accredited photographers than ever before, their tireless efforts—often braving the elements and working long hours—play a crucial role in showcasing karting at its best.
A panel, including renowned Supercars photographer Mark Horsburgh, assessed submissions across four categories. The 2025 winners were:
•Best Action Photo – Action in the Rain (NSW Kart Championship) – Ben Roehlen
•Best Emotion Photo – Consolation (Victorian Kart Championship) – Ben Roehlen
• Focus (AKC Round 4) – Ben Roehlen
•Best Overall Non-AKC Photo – Golden Hour (Golden Power Series) – Tim Francis
These images highlight the intensity and passion of karting, reinforcing the importance of motorsport photography in telling the sport’s story.
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