Karting

Overview

Karting is one of the most popular, affordable and competitive branches of motorsport for drivers from eight years upwards.  Most attention goes on the drivers in the Cadet and Junior classes and there are dozens of circuits throughout the UK that regularly host club meetings. These welcome budding professionals and hardcore amateurs alike.

Traditionally the starting point for racing drivers, karting gives competitors their first experience of wheel-to-wheel action. As karts can be significantly cheaper than cars, karting offers huge opportunities for aspiring racers at a fraction of the cost. Karts are divided into two basic categories: those with direct drive (which race on short circuits), and those with gearboxes (which race on both the long and short circuits).  Karting can provide a vital grounding for the journey up the racing ladder - most of the drivers on the current Formula 1 grid started their racing in karts. Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher were all kart racers.

FAQ’s

When and where did karting originate?

The first kart was built by a man named Art Ingels in Southern California during 1956. The concept originated from his existing interest in hot rods and race car building. He was a famous builder of Indy race cars during the fifties and was working as a builder at Kurtis Kraft when the idea came to him.  Karting is a popular sport across Europe, but it actually originated in America. For several decades, it was predominantly a sport for those who enjoyed Karting on a recreational basis, but the introduction of regulatory bodies helped it to open up to people who wanted to get a good grounding in motor sports.

What is karting?

Karting is practiced around the world by hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts at widely differing levels of competition.  For many it is a way of enjoying competitive racing on a small budget for fun. For others, it is a serious stepping stone into a career of racing, maybe leading all the way up to Formula 1. Karting is definitely recognised as the first and most important step in order to become a professional race car driver, Even though a kart differs from a car, all the racing techniques, the awareness of the way the vehicle handles, the discipline, and instincts needed to become a professional racer are developed with karting. To make racing a profession, you probably want to start with karting as a young teenager and stay with it for several years, having success in national and international competition, before moving on to car racing. This would be a wise choice, since for the same budget, you will be able to experience much more competition and seat time in karting than anywhere else.

What is the difference between a go-kart and a kart?

Most people would consider both to mean the same. Others make a distinction that a ‘kart’ is the serious racing vehicle, while a ‘go-kart’ is a fun machine. It can be argued either way, but, most commonly, the serious racer will refer to his or her vehicle only as ‘kart’.

If I really want to work on my racing career, why not just start with car-racing?

You can start learning almost all you need to know about racing through karting. Michael Schumacher once said that all he ever learned about racing, he learned while driving a kart.  The beauty of karting is the simplicity of the vehicle. You don’t need a big pit crew and you can go karting all by yourself. Also if you compare the costs of the season in karting with the cost of going racing in an open-wheel car, for example Formula Ford, you will find that often the cost of a single car race weekend would pay for an entire season of karting.

Where can I learn about karting before I get into it?

It is probably best to visit several kart tracks and races before you invest any money into equipment. Watch the races, check out the many classes of karting, chat to the people at the track. If you want to actually drive a kart and learn the basics of racing, a karting school might be a great choice. In Jersey there is a club specifically for karting and motor racing, the Jersey Kart & Motor Club.

Who organises kart racing?

Kart races are typically organised by kart clubs, which either have access to race tracks, or operate their own track. The racing itself is regulated by rules and specifications laid out by the governing or sanctioning bodies.

Do I need a license?

For most club racing, no special license is required. But for most international events, and event club racing in some countries, a license is necessary. For clarification ask the race organisers of the clubs or events you intend to race at.

Do I need a health certification to be allowed to go racing?

For most club racing this is not usually necessary, but again it does not hurt to ask the race organisers. Health attestation may need to be shown in order to get a license.

How old do I have to be for karting?

Many karting organisations or clubs offer special junior or kid classes, which may allow you to race at a young age. It is most common to find young teenagers racing and the ‘adult’ classes are open for everyone aged 16 or older.

Does your weight have an effect on your racing ability?

Weight has a great impact on the speed of acceleration on a kart. However, to ensure that the races are fair a minimum weight (combined driver and kart) is set for each class. Therefore, a light driver has to attach weights to the kart (usually lead weight) in order to bring the combined weight up to the limit. Also there are often different weight classes offered, which allow you to race against others in the same weight bracket.

Is karting dangerous?

Karting is actually a very safe form of motor racing. The vehicles are relatively light, and proper safety equipment usually prevents any serious injuries. Of course there is always a risk but, considering how many people practice karting, the number of significant injuries is very low.  Most clubs will have either an ambulance on stand-by during a race, or have medically trained personnel present.

A kart has no seat belt, is this not unsafe?

The safety principle of a kart is similar to that of a motorcycle. In case of an accident, the driver is meant to be flung from the kart. The suit, helmet and other safety equipment that the driver wears is intended to be abrasion resistant, and is intended to prevent injuries in case the driver slides over the ground.

What kind of safety equipment is needed?

The most necessary piece of safety equipment is a good helmet. It is very important to find a good fitting helmet that adheres to the standards maintained by the racing organisers. An abrasion resistant karting suit is needed. An overall is preferred, rather than separate pants and jacket, since the jacket can roll up and expose some skin.  You will need gloves and shoes - you can get specialist karting gloves and boots, which also provide for a certain amount of abrasion resistance. Some wear trainers but they tend to have relatively thick soles, which does not give enough feel. The gloves should be made from thin leather or some other sturdy material.  Some karting organisations require you to wear a neck brace or neck support. It is an extremely good idea to wear this, even if the race organiser doesn't mandate it. Also not mandated, but highly recommended, is a rib protector. These are stiff vests, often with special plastic plates or ribs worked into the material, which are worn under the karting suit. As the name implies, they are intended to prevent injuries to your ribs!

How fast does a kart go?

The speed of a kart depends on the kind of kart and the kind of track and the gear ratio used. On short tracks with short straights, speeds of up to 50 mp/h can be reached. On long, full-sized race tracks, more than twice that speed is possible. There are karting classes that are slower, and others that are significantly faster, such as superkarts, which can have two engines. These are rough numbers - the actual top speed will depend on many factors, not least the driver in control.

Is there a different driving style for a kart than for a car?

There are slight differences. No matter if you drive a car or a kart, smoothness is usually key to a fast drive. However, the turn-in into corners is typically taken more abruptly in a kart than in a car. The reason is that the driver wants to lift the inside rear in one swoop, and not for it to drag as this reduces speed and upsets the handling. Also, many karts only have a break on the rear axis. Thus, the braking isn't as heavy as in a car, which also has front-brakes.

When I get my kart can I immediately start competing in racing?

Most clubs will not require you to have experience and would allow you to participate in a race, but it would be a good idea to practice first! Find out the usual pole-setting fastest qualifying times for your class at your track then practice until your lap times are consistently at least within one second of those fastest times.

How do I get faster?

Mostly your speed will depend on your driving skills, and nothing develops these skills more than seat time. So go on the track and practice as much as you can. Make sure you understand the basics of racing and the track.

What is CIK-FIA?

This is the Commission Internationale de Karting. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Paris, it is the primary international sanctioning body for Kart racing. It joined with FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, in 2000. The most important event it stages is the Karting World Championship.