KartSport New Zealand is unfortunately announcing the retirement from the role of National Track Inspector for life member, Lance Hickey.

For more than two decades, Lance has held national level roles with KartSport New Zealand, including leading the Track and Safety rating process in his role as national inspector since 2002. Lance will continue to be active at his local track of KartSport Hawke’s Bay.

Lance first joined the sport around 1988 when he started racing in Hawke’s Bay with family. In 2002, he joined the KartSport NZ Executive (now Board) as the North Island representative. From 2006, this transitioned into the role of Vice President, before he then took over the reigns as National President a year later. For a short time, Lance also held the role of National Steward.

For his commitment to the national body, Lance was duly awarded with the 21^st Life Membership of KartSport New Zealand.

Beyond national roles, Lance is also undoubtedly the most important figure to the MyLaps transponder introduction. Lances desire to match a computer-based system with electronic timing saw him as the driving force behind the Hawkes Bay Clubs purchase of the MyLaps transponder system and Lance became the system guru travelling the country with his equipment and boxes of transponders.

Current National President Brent Melhop worked alongside lance for many years.

“I’d personally like to say a huge thank you to Lance for the many, many hours he has dedicated to the sport in a wide range of crucial roles, not least the National Track Inspector role. I had the privilege of being National Treasurer for many years while Lance held the President role and it’s given me plenty of guidance in navigating my current position”, mentioned Melhop.

The team at KartSport New Zealand would like to thank Lance for his dedicated years of service at a national level and wishes him the best for his ongoing involvement in the sport.

KartSport New Zealand will take this opportunity to reassess the track inspection process, alongside the Track Manual, making sure both continue to be fit for purpose going forward.

As part of this, an expression of interest form will be sent out shortly for anyone interested in either the National Track Inspector role, or in assisting the successful candidate. Following this, the Board will determine the roles and personnel going forward.

Article added: Wednesday 12 June 2024