WITH three outright wins already to his credit, Kai Frame’s maiden season racing sidecars for Bathurst’s Shadows Racing team has been most impressive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But now his desire to find even more success alongside his brother Lync, who acts as his swinger, is driving him to overcome one of his biggest challenges.
On Thursday Frame, who has been diagnosed with liver cancer, will go under the knife.
According to Sean Griffiths, who runs Shadows Racing, Kai Frame is aiming to be back on the #20 bike in time for the Australian Senior Track Championship next month.
“They are taking his gallbladder and 20 percent of his liver, he's really up-spirited about it, but it’s a big thing,” Griffiths said.
“They are hoping to line up at the Aussie Titles on the fourth of August. I guess we'll say to him, go if you feel comfortable, but remember that you are up against the best.
“But Kai is like most of us though, when you line up at the gate you can't go half-hearted.”
If Bathurst native Frame, who is now based in Young, has not recovered in time for the Australian titles at Barleigh Ranch there are other challenges ahead such as the East Coast Sidecar Round Up.
That has expanded to four rounds this year – Brisbane, Albury, Tamworth and Newcastle – and Griffiths is keen to have the Frames race.
“For a young team with no history in racing they are very strong and competitive,” Griffiths said.
“Young Lync partnered up with me last year towards the end of the year and did an awesome job. He doesn't want to ride, but he went out and bought a bike and got his brother to ride, Kai.
“They’ve done five race meets and been on the podium every time and some of the guys they’ve beaten are no slouches. Their last time at Cowra they actually won the day and the guy that they beat has been racing 30-40 years. He's a guy I still struggle to beat.
“They also raced at the Australian Track Masters and were leading into Sunday, couldn't be caught.
“All they had to do was to go around and finish and they'd win, but they blew a gear box in the fourth round and that knocked them out.”
Given the expensive nature of Frame’s treatment, the sidecar community has rallied around him to offer their support. A GoFundMe page has been set up (keep-kai-kickin-goals) while those interested in donating can also contact Griffiths (yarraonesg@gmail.com).
“He's got six kids and has to travel for his treatment, so it's not easy. It's good they think they got it early, but his treatment is expensive,” Griffiths said.
