Although land sailing has been around for centuries, the blokart® is a relative newcomer on the scene. It was designed in 1999 by New Zealander, Paul Beckett.

Initially designed for a bit of fun in urban venues such as car parks, the blokart has gone on to become a serious racing machine being sailed on beaches, dry lakes, salt lakes, and even airports (with appropriate approvals, of course) around the world.

The blokart follows the One Design model with strict equipment rules applied to each competitor. All blokarts have the same basic frame and sails. What differentiates the two classes is what can be added or modified. Production blokarts permit only the most basic modifications and additions, allowing those with limited budgets to be competitive without having to spend a lot of money. Performance blokarts have more relaxed rules but even so, there are strict limits on what can be done.

The reason for this is that competition is based on skill and not the size of one’s wallet. When racing, there are two fundamental classes. Production was originally targeted at those with limited funds but has turned out to be no less competitive than the other class, Performance. This has resulted in many capable of racing in Performance also competing in Production in the same event. Blokarts can be changed between these two configurations relatively easily.

Internationally, the rules are set by the International Blokart Racing Association (IBRA). This body has representatives from the various national organisations with the Australian Blokart Association (ABA) being one. The ABA is made up of representatives from the member clubs, effectively providing club members with a voice that carries right up to the international governing body.

Production and Performance classes are further broken down by the competitor’s weight. As this is the only physical attribute of a competitor that could offer an advantage or disadvantage, it is the only one applied. Women race against men, children against adults, and disabled people can race competitively against non-disabled competitors. There are special exemptions in the rules to permit otherwise illegal equipment modifications to cater for a disability or medical condition.

The blokart bears many similarities with conventional yachts but also has some key differences. The most notable is that the blokart is fast. Really fast. The current speed record of 125km/h (67kn) was set in 2018 in the US at Lake Ivanpah in California, adjacent to the Nevada state border. While most people will never achieve those speeds, it is not uncommon for people to clock over 80km/h (43kn) on a good day in a stiff breeze.

One reason for the blokart’s speed is its ability to be sailed in winds that would leave many yachts tied to their moorings or beached. Some of the best blokart fun can be had in a blustery 30kn wind coming straight off Bass Strait.

The way the blokart is raced has more in common with ordinary yacht racing than its fellow land yachts. Many of the rules are similar with some obvious exceptions. Blokart competitors call for “buoy room” rather than “water”. There are other rules that are needed to cater for the speed and physical closeness of the racing.

Blokarts race with 2-3 minute dial-up starts and windward/leeward courses that run for a fixed time rather than a fixed number of laps. Fixed time races work by allowing the fleet to race for a specified duration (usually 5 or 8 minutes), then allowing each competitor to complete the lap they are on. Placings are assigned in order of the number of laps completed and then in order of crossing the line. This avoids the problem of competitors having to wait for stragglers to complete their remaining laps and clear the track for the next heat.

With relatively short races, it is possible to get a lot of racing in a day of a major event. The nature of the racing and the fact that it happens on land is a boom for spectators given they can get close to the action, and there is generally plenty of that.

Do not be fooled. Racing a blokart competitively takes a lot of skill. The blokart is not a trainer or beginner’s toy. Many a salty has jumped into a blokart, become over-confident having reached speeds far more than what they ever achieved on water, only to be trounced when racing against a seasoned blokart competitor. The blokart is easy to learn but difficult to master.

Another key difference between the blokart and water-based yachts is cost. Priced from around $4,500 for a new Production blokart, you can then add features as your bank account allows. Even so, by the time you have spent $8,000 to $9,000, there is really nothing left to buy for your Performance blokart. Second hand blokarts can be found for as little as $2,000 making it a relatively cheap sailing sport.

Setup is quick and easy. The blokart packs into a suitcase-sized bag and can be rigged in 5-10 minutes. It fits easily into the boot of an average car and can even be checked in when flying to an event as oversize luggage.

If you want to find out more, go to blokart.com or contact one of the many clubs operating in Australia.

Victoria

Victorian Blokart Club - Ross Porz - ross.porz@bigpond.com                                                                                    

North East Windsports Club - Mike Hilliner - mikehilliner@gmail.com

South Australia 

South Australian Blokart Club - Greg Devine - gdevine41@hotmail.com

Western Australia 

Perth Blokart Club - Andy Bates - perthlandyachts@gmail.com

Queensland

Capricornia Blokart Club - Paul Effeney - paylfny05@hotmail.com

Central Queensland Blokart Club - Tony Francis - tnk.francis@yahoo.com.au

Whitsunday Blokart Club - Miles Wood - mwoodassociates@gmail.com    

Submitted by Brian Campbell - Victorian Blokart Club