Relatives of Wodonga man Vlado Barisic, 65, checked on him after he failed to turn up to a family function on Monday.

Mr Barisic, who lives on the Sheathers Road premises of the Albury-Wodonga Kart Club in a mobile home, was taken to Wodonga hospital yesterday with injuries including four broken ribs, a punctured lung, multiple fractures to the back of his head, and bruising.

Wodonga detectives had a brief interview with the man before he was flown to The Royal Melbourne hospital yesterday afternoon.

“He’s in and out of consciousness; he’s indicated he’s been assaulted,” Detective Sen-Constable Andrew Leonard said.

Police established a crime scene at the go kart venue, taping off a section around Mr Barisic’s mobile home.

Forensic specialists attended to analyse evidence including blood in and outside of the caravan, as well as tyre marks on the ground.

“There’s nothing to suggest there’s a weapon involved at this point in time but we haven’t ruled it out,” Sen-Constable Leonard said.

Investigators are not yet sure when the assault took place, believing it could have occurred any time from Sunday afternoon, when members last attended the club for practice, to Monday.

Club president John Reynolds said Mr Barisic had been a member of the go kart association for a few years and had moved his mobile home on to the site for free in exchange for keeping an eye on the place.

“It’s quite distressing,” Mr Reynolds said.

“All the members I’ve spoken to are very upset about what’s happened; he’s a valued member of our club.

“I guess once he’s recovered and the police talk to him some more, they’ll have a better understanding of what’s happened.”

Det Sen-Constable Leonard urged anyone with information to contact Wodonga police on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.