About Us

It all started in 1997…

Horst Kipper had a dream. At the time, his family was actively involved in go-kart racing throughout Cairns and the surrounding region. But Horst saw a gap — a lack of proper infrastructure to nurture young talent and grow motorsport in Far North Queensland.

“How can the sport thrive,” he wondered, “when there’s nowhere for future drivers to truly train and develop?”

Determined to make a difference, Horst began months of research, planning, and travel. He visited world-class karting facilities across Germany and Asia, studying the best designs, safety practices, and racing standards. What he brought back was more than inspiration — it was a vision.

In 1997, that vision took shape. Horst invested in building an international-standard karting circuit, right in the heart of Far North Queensland — where the rainforest meets the reef and the outback. The track would offer not just local drivers, but racers from across the globe, a place to hone their skills on a professional level.

But Horst didn’t stop there. He also had a second idea: to make karting accessible to everyone, not just competitive racers. So, alongside the international circuit, he built a public hire kart facility — a place where families, tourists, and newcomers could experience the thrill of racing in a safe and fun environment.

MakoTrac was born from passion, purpose, and the belief that motorsport should be for everyone — from first-timers to future champions.