With a handful of racing legends in their family tree, the pair grew up around the speedway intently watching their dad and uncles in action.

Now the Lawson sisters are making names for themselves on the competitive go-kart scene.

Into their third season at Nepean and Central Coast go-kart clubs, the pair have claimed a few podium finishes already and are primed for the State titles in June.

Free of sporting regulations which restrict inexperienced racers to the back of the pack, it will be Nikki and Ashleigh’s first real shot at a title.

At 12 and 14-years-of-age the two Springwood High School students enjoy filling the trophy cabinet, but there's nothing like beating the boys at their own game.

"They get a lot of compliments because they're competing against boys and they do just as good as them," said mum Louise.

"We often see the (other competitors) come in after a race and their fathers say: 'you got beaten by a girl again!'

"It's a real boys' sport."

Nikki and Ashleigh race against up to 17 karts on cramped, muddy and bump-ridden circuits. With so many competitors vying for first place, even the junior events have their heart-stopping moments.

Nikki said much of their track time is spent avoiding crashed karts and clearing mud flung up from the track off their visors.

Although both have had their close encounters in the hazardous sport, neither is ready to hang up their race suits yet. Even witnessing some wince-inducing injuries – such as a driver's leg bone penetrating his pelvis and an engine part becoming lodged into a junior's stomach – has failed to sway them.

Sponsored by the Briton's local garage door and gates business, the girls and their three cousins represent team Kaos Karting Kids in club events.

"Go-karts are challenging, you get an adrenalin rush. I'm always nervous just before the first race, but after that I'm fine," said Nikki.

"When I go to school I hang out for the weekend race meets."

Considering their dad is an Australian BMX champion, their uncle a four-time national go-karts champion and their grandfather Richard Briton a five-time Australian sprint car champion, Louise isn't surprised her daughters always baulked at playing with dolls.

"Their dad has always said it's in their blood and . . . I really believe that," she said.

Despite their love of motor racing, Ashleigh and Nikki's go-karts both have tell-tale feminine touches. Love hearts dot the frame of Nikki's and Ashleigh's name is emblazoned on her kart's nose in pink.

"At school I'm so girly no one thinks I would hop in a kart or ride motorbikes," said Ashleigh.

"Nikki is our tomboy, but Ash puts the make-up on before she races," laughs Louise.

Nikki and Ashleigh hope to one day follow in their grandfather's (known in the local history books as the Corvette Kid) tyre tracks and race sprint cars.