Go-karts at Nui Dat DPR/TV/1390 Accession Number: F04502

Description

Australian soldiers in South Vietnam have gone go-karting in their leisure time. The red, choking dust that rises every time a vehicle moves at the 1st Australian Task Force Base, Nui Dat, is not always associated with work done by members of 106th Field Workshops. They have created their own dustmakers...four fast and entertaining go-karts that the soldiers race and maintain in their spare time. The members of the 106 Go-Kart Club built their karts from scrap metal from the workshops in their off duty periods. Power for the fast racers is provided by 500 cc motors salvaged from dumps and rebuilt with care over a period of months. These motors - usually used to power KVA generators - now drive the karts round the workshop track at speeds up to 35 mph. The karts are sturdily built with strong roll bars to protect drivers who wear steel helmets during races. The record for the 2/10ths of a mile track is 21 seconds, established during a close race at one of the club's meetings. The races draw many spectators who are prepared to brave the dust to make the most of their leisure time. Also identified: 7145 Craftsman (Cfn) Roly Koops of Darwin, NT; 58862 Corporal Alexander Serge (Alex) Makedonez of Townsville, Qld; 6709599 Cfn Peter Martin Cowling of Georgetown, Tas; 342949 Sergeant Stephen Roger (Steve) Pearman of Seymour, Vic.

Details

Accession Number
F04502
Classification
Film
Object Type
Television news footage
Physical Description
Base: acetate
Colour: b&w
Film type: ORP
Format: 16mm
Sound: silent
Measurement
Duration
Footage
Projection speed
Date Made
4 April 1971
Place Made
Whole/Part
Whole
Item Count
1
Access
Open
Copyright
AWM copyright

Conflicts

Units

Tags

Video

More like this

Sailing club at Nui Dat DPR/TV/1435

Film F04519 Vietnam, 1962-1975

Sailing has now been added to the already numerous recreational facilities for soldiers serving at the 1st Australian Task Force Headquarters at Nui Dat in South Vietnam. A club was officially formed

Concert at Nui Dat DPR/TV/907

Film F04230 Vietnam, 1962-1975

The 11th Government-sponsored concert party to visit Vietnam played two concerts at Luscombe Bowl, Nui Dat, during a two-week tour of Australian and United States bases. Headed by comedian Eddie Mendo

Concert Party at Nui Dat DPR/TV/1249

Film F04427 Vietnam, 1962-1975

A concert party of Adelaide entertainers performed for troops at the Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat in Vietnam this week. The big crowd of about 1500, heavily sprinkled with 5th Battalion soldi

Nui Dat concert DPR/TV/946

Film F04253 Vietnam, 1962-1975

The members of the Third All Queensland Concert Party won the hearts of two thousand Australian soldiers at Nui Dat this week with their singing, dancing and jokes. The soldiers, dressed in jungle gre

Gun Club at Nui Dat DPR/TV/1419

Film F04511 Vietnam, 1962-1975

Members of the 1st Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam, have added a Gun Club to their already numerous recreational facilities. The ear shattering sound of the 10

Nui Dat evacuated DPR/TV/1459

Film F04459 Vietnam, 1962-1975

Nui Dat - home of the Australian Task Force in Vietnam for more than five years - was finally evacuated by the Australians last weekend with the move to Vung Tau of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Aust

See more similar items →

Record information

Last modified: 13 August 2026 - 5.38 am