How do I start karting? Here’s How…
Karting is an awesome yet affordable form of motorsport. Kids can start at the age of 6 and there are classes to suit all ages and abilities. Kart Racing is a family friendly sport so if you’re being asked ‘How do I Start Karting?’, please read on…
Don’t rush out and buy a kart! Do your homework…..
Do go to your local circuit and look at what they offer, take your age, size and experience into account, ask lots of questions, club officials, karters both young and old are always happy to help newcomers. Choose a well supported class.
At Drive-Tech Ltd, Castle Combe Karting we advise taking an introductory course at an ARKS school. This will offer you the chance to try the sport without too much expenditure. ARKS Schools like Drive-Tech Ltd, Castle Combe Karting offer professional tuition and run their own championship races for both adults and kids aged 10 -15. Min height 142cm.
For kids aged 10 -15, at Drive-Tech you just pay as you go, no expensive outlay and we provide all the equipment for you. We teach you all about kart safety, flag rules, we teach you all about racing lines, how to overtake safely and how to increase speed, when you are up to a safe consistent race speed we will sign you off as ready to race!
This is where the competition begins, you can then enter real races and score points and even win yourself some trophies. At Drive-Tech we consider this a great starting point to see if you actually enjoy competition karting. Drive-Tech runs 2 championships a year, Spring which runs Feb – June and then Autumn which runs August – December. There are 10 rounds to each championship, you can do as many rounds as you like but each time you will start scoring points. Your top 5 scores will count towards your overall finishing place in the championship. With trophies for the top 3 drivers in each round and then trophies for the top 6 drivers, a best Novice trophy & best female driver in the overall championship make it a fun, cheap alternative to buying your own kit!
Our Adult Kart championship runs over 6 rounds through the year and again is a pay as you go, cheap alternative to owning your own kit. Email luke@drivetechltd.co.uk for more details.
If after this great experience you wish to take things to another level and you or your parents can afford it then you would need to take an ARKS test this can also be done at our school. Firstly you would have to buy the start karting pack from Motorsport UK, this will contain your novice driver licence application form and for under 18’s the parent/ guardian Entrant licence form. Once you have learnt all the regulations and watched the DVD you can then take the test. Please call a member of our team on 01249 783010 for all relevant costs. The test consists of a multiple choice questionnaire covering the flag signals and regulations and a driving test. Once you have passed the ARKS test you can then enter your first national race.
In addition to the cost of the kart there are other extras to consider:
Transponders the Association of British kart Clubs will require the driver to have a transponder. The use of a transponder allows for computer timing and lap scoring.
Protective Clothing to race a kart you must wear approved protective clothing, Kart suit, The current type has a CIK homologation and year code embroidered under the collar. Level 1 suits are acceptable for national racing. Gloves & boots, strong gloves are needed and boots that cover the ankles. Crash Helmet the ECE EN22 standard, as sold in motorcycle shops, is NOT acceptable for kart racing. Please visit an approved kart shop for regulation helmets.
As well as the above there are other essentials you will need like a fire extinguisher, every competitor must carry an approved size fire extinguisher in their car or van to BSE?N3 standard with a min 55B size rating (70B is a popular size to purchase) Competitors with enclosed awnings should have a 2kg foam or powder at the entrance.
Tools and things as well as a kart you will need a kart trolley or stand to wheel it about on and work on it. Many karts will fit into the back of a hatch back or estate car but small trailers or vans are very popular. You will need some basic tools, a socket set, screwdrivers and pliers, 10mm, 13mm and 17mmmetric spanners, an allen key set and a tyre gauge and foot pump. For spares and consumables you will need 2 stroke oil to mix with the petrol if using a 2 stroke engine, chain spray, cleaning fluids and rags, a spare spark plug, a chain and some sprockets to change the gearing for different tracks. You will also need a set of wet weather tyres if it rains, as karts normally race on slick tyres with no tread.
Of course there are teams out there who offer all of this on a hire and drive basis and do all the hard work for you, but at a price!
If you’d like to know more of your children keep asking ‘How do I start karting please get in touch?’
For more details on the Castle Combe Adult & Junior Kart Race school please contact luke@drivetechltd.co.uk or phone 01249 783010.
