Driver rules the dirt track

Busselton's Craig Nelson is all smiles after recently claiming the dirt kart WA State title in the Outlaws class.

Nelson beat a field of drivers including two from South Australia to win the trophy in Wagin at the start of the month and it joins his other accolades, which include three Australian titles.

It is also his fourth State title.

He said there was a lot of preparation for the race, going over engines, tyres and other mechanics, but when drivers lined up, they could never be 100 per cent confident.

"Either your luck's with you that weekend or it's not," he said.

"You've just got to go for it."

Dirt karts are growing in popularity in the region; last week the Times reported the Busselton Kart Club's October club day drew about 89 drivers to the South West.

Nelson said there were a lot of young drivers coming into the sport and he had recently got involved again after a brief hiatus.

"It's certainly gone a long way in the last three or four years," he said.

"It's a good family sport."

The driver already has plans to head back to South Australia soon to contest another Australian title.