AMS Kart Club - A History of Enjoyment and Success.
All Hallows and Macclesfield Schools Kart Club is over 40 years old and still presents a formidable force in the National Schools Karting Associations Championship.
Originating in Macclesfield, the club’s routes are deeply entrenched in the capabilities, patience and unequalled dedication of the special ones! Working hard as teachers wasn’t enough, they wanted to take their Craft, Design and Technology classroom into competition with other schools who had created their own ‘schools karts’.
Made in house from drawings, jigs and engineering sense, the karts took shape, some questionable, others more customary of the time and later, more seriously advanced developments, from the influence of ex-members becoming engineers, adapting their knowledge, skill and experience to create class beating machines.
Mr (Don) Pickersgill, Alan Wood and Ray Birch got the ball rolling, with Don being support later by Mr (Eric) Fisher. Don and Eric moved the team quickly into a highly competitive group with the help of John Hoyle, an ex-member, turned engineer, turned karting expert.
Their era was during one of development in equipment and race craft across NatSKA, which they not only endorsed, but also spearheaded in the 1990’s.
Change in approach.
Steve Saunders was the final ‘teacher’ team leader from All Hallows. Steve took over following the very sad passing of Don and lead for several years to follow. Fortunately, he had the support of some future key people.
Steve soon moved on in his career which is when Dave Castle with the support of Graeme Grundy, took the lead with other very experienced and capable people, providing invaluable facility, engineering and youth support personnel, notability in the form of a parent group umbrella.
Critically, the same enthusiasm remained in getting the team to the track, to race and be successful, while providing a unique and life enriching experience.
Curriculum and school leadership changes forced a structure adjustment in the next few years in the early 2000’s, an interest in other school education disciplines meant The team would no longer enjoy the school base of the previous 30 years, and so the transition to an independent volunteer run organisation began.
Grow and adapt.
Following the big change, Steve Grundy, Graeme’s son began a new era. A period where the team grew hugely, both in members and karts. Old equipment was replaced for new through the sale proceeds and fund raising, some of which is still used today. Growth was bolstered by the adoption of other local school pupils, from those such as Ryles Park Kart Club and an attempted Tytherington School team.
The concept Don Pickersgill had instilled, which Dave Castle had strengthened continued, where a mechanical understand by the driver was as important as their driving ability. Steve’s engineering background and being an ex-member from the 80’s was a major success with many national championships won and iconic images of 20+ karts being run from the side of a huge truck.
The recent.
Stuart Newton was next up, supported by deputy team leader Mark (Bellerby) Allum, another ex-member bringing his experience and engineering skills to the team .
Stuart Newton, took the mantel of bravery, hard work and sharing of his families motorsport enthusiasm and love of the team, in which his son Andy and daughter Becky were members. During his leadership, Chris Brown became a member, providing ever increasing support, until it was evident to Stuart that he had a replacement, and an extremely strong one.Â
Chris Brown, a father to ex-members is driving a new approach to member engagement which is in turn helping increase and improve new entrants to the NatSKA championship events. New AMS members are now located around the country.
As with previous leaders, Chris has very committed supporters to help him transition AMS into a new era in the 2020’s.
Future.
AMS Kart Club has a past, present and future, but to ensure the future is as successful, it needs new members, ex-members and the support it has enjoyed from many quarters over the years. If you feel your time has come to make a return or to become part of something very special, please feel free to contact us.
