Pollie vies for kart title

Pilbara local member Brendon Grylls may be known for his prowess in the political arena but next month he will be hoping to add a new feat to his list of career achievements with a win at the 2016 Marble Bar Billy Cart Grand Prix.

Team Grylls will take to the track on April 16 in a custom-made kart built by “Grandad Grylls” and Brendon’s three sons, Thomas, Oliver and Jack.

Mr Grylls said his father had been “working around the clock” to get the 1932 Ford Hot Rod inspired vintage cart “Billy T” finished in time for the big race.

“Grandad Grylls is a fantastic bush mechanic, bush electrician, bush plumber, bush architect and bush designer,” he said,

“He’s built something that is going to be a family heirloom as long as we don’t crash it too hard at marble bar.

“Even though I managed to squeeze myself in it for a picture, I think it’s going to be Grandad Grylls’ grandsons who participate in the grand prix.”

Mr Grylls told theNorth West Telegraph he was confident his team would give reigning champions, Yarrie Station’s Belle X-1, a run for their money.

“When I showed Annabel Coppin a picture of the kart she was quite clearly concerned,” he said.

However Mr Grylls remained tight-lipped on his family’s preparations for the Billy Cart Grand Prix.

“I don’t want to give too much away,” he said.

“It’s based on one of those quad bike frames at the front and…it harks back to the 1932 Ford hot-rod design.

“We’ve still got a month of wind tunnel testing to make sure we’ve got the aerodynamics right.”

Mr Grylls encouraged residents around the Pilbara to support the iconic Marble Bar Billy Kart Grand Prix event.

“It’s one of the privileges of being a local member of parliament, to meet people like Foxy and Annabel (Coppin) and Foxy (Thomas Fox),” he said.

“Not only can we have the comradery of working together on trying to grow the region but also being able to come together and challenge each other over who’s got the best billy kart.

“I’m hoping they continue to build their event… anything that ends with an export on the counter at the Iron Clad pub has got to be a great event.”

Marble Bar Community Resource Centre co-ordinator Kim Mackay encouraged competitors to get their registrations in before Friday April 15.

The Billy Kart Grand Prix winner will be awarded with a trophy made from local Marble Bar Jasper and 100-year-old jarrah from the Iron Clad hotel.

For more information on entering a cart or sponsorship opportunities, contact 9176 1375 or mbcrc1@bigpond.com.

The Marble Bar Billy Cart Grand Prix, Jerk-Off and Start of Muster Party will run on April 16, from 10am.