Pedal To The Metal In The Heart Of Cane Country

By Amanda Wright

The unmistakable scent of race fuel, scorched rubber and hot chips hung in the air, as the roar of engines echoed through Palmyra for the 2025 Sugar City Titles, a full-throttle festival of speed and spirit. From pint-sized prodigies to silver-haired speedsters aged 6 to 68, the Mackay and District Kart Club was alive with heart-pounding hairpins, high-speed skids and flag-flying finishes. With Mayor Greg Williamson on the starter’s line and legendary race caller Kev Davies at the mic, the track was set for history — and Mackay delivered in record-breaking style.

FULL THROTTLE
Sugar City Titles Smash Records And Expectations

By Amanda Wright

The 2025 Sugar City Titles weren’t just fast — they were flat-out phenomenal.

Held under bright tropical skies at the Mackay and District Kart Club’s home circuit in Palmyra, this year’s event saw a record-breaking 93 competitors from as far afield as Cairns, Charters Towers, Rockhampton and the Whitsundays descend on the track — all chasing glory, pride… and a cane knife.

Yes, you read that right.

The club’s iconic Cane Knife trophies, a slick nod to Mackay’s sweet roots, have become legendary in the karting world, drawing racers of all ages to burn rubber in pursuit of sugar-coated silverware.

And what a show they put on.

From six-year-old Cadet rookies to seasoned karters nudging seventy, the grid was stacked with talent, grit and a healthy dose of competitive spirit. The air buzzed with race fuel and excitement as tyres squealed through corners and karts launched out of bends in a blur of colour and determination. Every race was a crowd-pleaser — twists, turns, and the odd spin that had hearts skipping faster than engines redlining on the back straight.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson set the tone for the day, waving the Aussie flag to launch the Cadet 12s into their opening race. He spent hours mingling with families, mechanics, and drivers, adding a civic spark to a day already firing on all cylinders.

“Seeing so many families here enjoying grassroots motorsport is what community is all about,” said Club President Peter Clarke.

“We’ve had record numbers, incredible racing, and an atmosphere that’s just unbeatable.”

Also revving up the excitement was the unmistakable voice of veteran race caller Kev Davies, who kept the commentary sharp, thrilling and hilariously entertaining — another reason the Sugar City Titles have become a crowd favourite.

The event also marked a proud moment for the club as three new members – Max Cashin, Noah Hille and Bailey Haines – made their racing debut. Each one tackled the track with gusto and earned thunderous applause for joining the karting family.

And the records didn’t stop at attendance. Three drivers tore up the timing charts with new lap records:
🏁 Emerson Mills in Cadet 9 (43.019)
🏁 Aston Mills in Junior KA100 Restricted (38.146)
🏁 Carter Grother in Cadet 12 (42.466)

The Mackay and District Kart Club credits much of the event’s success to its tireless volunteers, committee members and loyal sponsors. Months of planning came together seamlessly thanks to a paddock full of passionate people — from the yard crew who had the grounds race-ready, to the officials who kept things fair and fast-paced.

“None of this happens without the army of volunteers behind the scenes,” Mr Clarke said.

“And our sponsors — they keep the wheels turning.”

Special thanks to event sponsors:
Project X, Century Batteries Mackay and Dunlop Kart Sports, as well as class sponsors:
Cadet Beginner – Central Queensland Engineering Surveying Services
Cadet 9 – J & B Pest Control
Cadet 12 – AMH Learning Supplies
Junior KA100 Restricted – Townsville Kart Centre
Yamaha KT100J Light – Global Mining Support
Yamaha KT100J Heavy – M&P Services – Quality Transportable Buildings
Yamaha KT100J Super Heavy – The Birdcage Hotel
Sportsman Light – Iron Maintenance Pty Ltd
Sportsman Medium – Platinum Wraps
Sportsman Heavy – Global Mining Support
Open Performance – CMS Onboard

And now… here are your 2025 Sugar City champions 🏆

🏁 YAMAHA J LIGHT
🥇 Lincoln Benns
🥈 Marcus Pace
🥉 Richard Pace

🏁 YAMAHA J HEAVY
🥇 Andrew Vella
🥈 Steve Muscat
🥉 Ryder Menzies

🏁 YAMAHA J SUPER HEAVY
🥇 Steve Muscat
🥈 Jarvis Menzies
🥉 Kent Menzies

🏁 CADET BEGINNER
🥇 Jaxon Hobley
🥈 Kingsley Pens
🥉 Harry Janson

🏁 SPORTSMAN HEAVY
🥇 Nicholas Garioch
🥈 Bryan Reitano
🥉 Jeremy Evans

🏁 CADET 9
🥇 Emerson Mills – New Track Record – 43.019
🥈 Marcus Menzies
🥉 Ted Persson

🏁 SPORTSMAN MEDIUM
🥇 Rayner Costello
🥈 Nate Thompson
🥉 Lincoln Benns

🏁 JUNIOR KA100 RESTRICTED
🥇 Aston Mills – New Track Record – 38.146
🥈 Cruz Smith
🥉 Dustin Pendry

🏁 SPORTSMAN LIGHT
🥇 Matthew Clarke
🥈 Zac Tyson
🥉 Nate Thompson

🏁 OPEN PERFORMANCE
🥇 Michael Ditton
🥈 Quentin Edmonds

🏁 CADET 12
🥇 Carter Grother – New Track Record – 42.466
🥈 Creed Patroni
🥉 Cooper Rowbotham

With another Sugar City Titles in the books, and records smashed like a dropped gearbox, the Mackay karting scene is turbocharged and thriving.

For more photos, videos, and that unmistakable race-day energy, head to the club’s social pages and Kev Davies’ livestreams, and don’t forget to like, share… and buckle up for next year.

Flanked by karts and fuelled by community spirit – Mackay and District Kart Club President Peter Clarke, Mayor Greg Williamson and sponsor Max Lamb Jnr from M&P Services stand ready to wave in a day of high-octane action. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Wheels spun, hearts raced – Mackay’s Sugar City Titles delivered high-speed thrills from start to finish. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

Cadet 12

Juniors

J Heavy

Sportsman Medium

Sportsman Light

Cadet 9. Podium photos supplied

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