Waroona’s go-karting king smashes State Series winning two trophies and setting new track record

Waroona’s go-kart king tore up the track in Kalgoorlie earlier this month, smashing a Statewide competition.

Waroona’s own Nash Ferraro, 16, dominated the WA’s State Series managing to take home two trophies while setting a new track record.

Nash scored his first-ever first place win in a senior division during the weekend of racing and came out on top in the TAG 125 light category, where he set a new track lap record and secured first place in the WA State Series Championship.

He said the victory was particularly thrilling because it was his first time competing in the senior division.

“It was definitely a bit daunting at the start, especially if you haven’t been in a car for a while,” Nash said.

“But when you hop in, it starts to feel exciting, you get the adrenaline.”

The adrenaline would come thick and fast for Nash as he barrelled around the track at more than 100km/h.

“The only thing I’m thinking about is how what changes can I make to help the kart grip more, (the) release of corners, stuff like that,” he said.

“You could have the best driver ever but have a terrible car, but even with the best car, the driver still has to make the right calls.”

Nash said the kart he had raced for the past two years was where he felt most comfortable.

Despite driving karts with more power on his weekend in Kalgoorlie, it was his own set-up which allowed him to set a new lap record.

“I got my first kart in 2014, and I started racing in 2015 — my first-ever race was on my seventh birthday,” he said.

“The next step is moving into six-speed, which is as high as you can go in karts. After that, it would be cars or formula four.”

Moving into bigger races needed more funding, with Nash telling the Reporter running a full race team was not in the budget.

Nash is keen to give back to the sport, however, and acts as a mentor for younger racers.

“I feel like I learn a lot for the way I have to speak to someone who learns differently to me,” he said.

“With them (the juniors) I get so see a different side of the sport.”