How to go Karting
It’s pretty well-known that, barring a few exceptions, most of today’s top professional racing drivers all started their careers in karting.
But what isn’t so well-known is that karting is a sport that welcomes all ages, and there’s nothing to stop you competing week in, week out until they drag you off to a nursing home.
Most attention goes on the drivers in the Cadet and Junior classes, but there are dozens of circuits throughout the UK that regularly host club meetings. These welcome budding professionals and hardcore amateurs alike.
You can compete as often, or as seldom, as you wish. But if you’re a regular, you’ll obviously do better in your circuit’s regional championship – most tracks host their own series, ensuring you don’t have to travel far to get your regular karting ‘fix’.
Where do the events take place?
There are kart circuits as far apart as the Channel Islands and Scotland, so wherever you live there will be a track near you. Additionally, gearbox karts compete on full car-racing circuits such as Silverstone – and most are quicker than the cars!
How do the events work?
Each class usually runs two or three heats, with your results in each determining your grid positions for the finals. To win the final you need to beat all your class rivals from all the heats – it’s ‘cut and thrust’ racing at its best!
So how do I start?
As with any other form of motorsport, before you start, go to some race meetings GO FIND EVENTS to chat with the competitors. Most of them will be happy to talk, but choose your moment; the waiting area for a class final is not the place to start asking questions.
Next, you need to get your from the MSA Starting Karting pack , which contains loads of useful hints and tips for beginners.
Then, if you’re 18 or over, you’ll need to get a medical certificate. This involves a simple medical examination by your GP.
After that, you can complete your MSA assessment. This is run by the Association of Racing Kart Schools, and takes half a day, there are schools GO FIND SCHOOLS up and down the country and you just need to find the one nearest you.
Now you will be able to get your licence from the MSA.
Another way to start is by attending your local karting centre, operated by the National Karting Association. Just turn up, pay the fee and race your friends (or with them in endurance format), this is great introduction to the sport and is also a good idea for a corporate event, birthday treat or stag do. Then, if you like it enough, take it further by applying for your karting licence and taking part in some serious competition!
But what can I compete in?
There are various categories of karts. From the 60cc Cadet karts, all the way up to the incredibly fast gearbox karts that compete in the MSA’s Long Circuit (Super Kart) Championship (and other club events), and which offer Formula 3 levels of performance. Probably the best place for all ages to start is the entry level Easykart Championships which cater for those aged five upwards. Costs are strictly regulated with karts priced at around £2000 and a similar budget required for a year’s racing. The other MSA championships are the MSA Short Circuit Kart Championship, MSA British Junior Kart Championship and MSA British Cadet Kart Championship.
Am I ready to get out there now?
Almost. You’ll need to join Ystrad Mynach Motor Club, the Association of British Kart Clubs site also has some useful information
What equipment do I need?
You’ll need a kart! The specialist karting magazines give in-depth coverage of the whole karting scene. They also carry classified ads with karts for sale or hire as does the MotorsportsAds website. If you’re racing at club level, you can pick up a second or third-hand kart that, while it will have had some hard use, will usually be well looked-after. But check it for damage and mechanical wellbeing first. Once you have a suitable kart, most of your annual budget will be spent on running costs and spare parts. Alternatively, many ARKS schools GO FIND SCHOOLS run race teams, so you could start off by hiring one of their karts to get yourself started in racing.
With its close, hard-fought competition, karting can be dangerous, so you’ll need to buy some safety equipment.
You need to kit yourself out with:
- Helmet – good ones are available from specialist stockists for between £100 and £300
- Racesuit – again, you can buy a decent suit for about £150. Incidentally, most are not fireproof, but are very durable.
- Body protector – up to £35
- Wetsuit (for those all-too frequent rainy meetings) – up to £35
- Racing gloves – up to £60
- Racing boots – up to £80
- Balaclava – approx. £15
There are many racewear stockists all around the country, and some at karting venues.
Original article courtesy of the GO Motorsport Initiative. www.gomotorsport.net