Karting is the world’s most affordable form of motorsport.
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Many people associate it with young drivers, but adults are also very active in karting.
Karting is considered the first step in any serious racer’s career. It can prepare the driver for high-speed wheel-to-wheel racing by developing quick reflexes, precision, car control, set-up, mechanical and decision-making skills.
People of all ages can enjoy the sport with children as young as seven competing behind the wheel. Karting teaches these children, both boys and girls, basic driving skills well before they are able to obtain their road licence.
Karting is competitive, but it is also fun and family orientated, with involvement in the sport both on and off the track giving it a strong feeling of community. It teaches driving skills and offers people an opportunity to gain a career in motorsport, all in a safe and organised environment.
Kart meetings take place at circuits across Australia every weekend and are either a club, regional, state or national level meeting.
Getting into karting is relatively simple. First you need to become a member of your local kart club and start out on a provisional licence. Buying a kart has also been made a lot simpler thanks to a professional trade industry that serves the karters of Australia.
STEP 1 – CALL YOUR LOCAL CLUB
Clubs are located right across Australia in both metropolitan and regional centres.
Joining a club will give you access to that club’s circuit for practice, as well as allowing you to participate in any club championship, social events, working bees and other club activities.
Contact the club regarding how you can join.
STEP 2 – GET AN LICENCE
Once you are a member of a club you will need a licence. The licence comes with access to Karting NSW Electronic Manual, which outlines all the rules, regulations and operations of the KNSW. A KNSW Licence also deals with insurance while racing.
STEP 3 – GET A KART
The karting industry in Australia is always keen to assist newcomers in entering and enjoying the sport. The many kart shops around Australia will be able to assist you with not only purchasing a kart, but also helping you maintain it and acquire the necessary tools and equipment.
Ask your local club or state association for the location of your nearest kart shop or look them up in the White Pages or Yellow Pages.
STEP 4 – GET YOUR SAFETY GEAR
Most kart shops will also offer a range of safety gear – that is, full face helmets, race suits, racing boots, gloves and other optional safety gear such as padded rib vests and neck braces.
As well as kart shops, motorsport race gear shops carry ranges of karting gear and even motorcycle shops can be good for things like helmets and wet weather driving gear.
STEP 5 – GET A BUDDY
Karting is a friendly, family-orientated sport and karters young and old are always happy to help out newcomers.
Make sure you ask lots of questions of members of your kart club, state association and local kart shop. It is often a good idea to plan your first trip to the kart track with your kart with someone you know so that they can help you with any questions you may have. Also, while at the circuit feel free to ask other competitors any questions. So often then friends you make in karting will be friends for life.
Click here to view a document about your first race meeting.
Karting Classes
BEGINNER
CADET 9 (6 – 9 years)
The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance at a limited cost. Competitors use a Vortex 60cc Mini Rok fitted with a restrictor plate or Comer SW80 engine with a clutch. Drivers aged between 6 and 7 are only able to practice and must be 7 years of age before starting racing.
Approx. Power – 6hp
CADET 12 (10 – 12 years)
Using the same principal of the Midgets class the Rookies use a Vortex 60cc Mini Rok or Yamaha KT100J engine fitted with a restrictor plate.
Approx. Power – 8hp
Junior (12 – 16 years)
With two weight divisions this class allows close competitive racing in karts with reliable engines (IAME KA100 Reedjet (fitted with a restrictor) or Yamaha KT100J) still fast enough to teach the basics of racecraft at a low cost.
Approx. Power – 11hp
Senior National (15+ years)
This class is very popular throughout Australia as a competitive club level class. The engine used is the reliable IAME KA100 Reedjet (fitted with a restrictor) Yamaha KT100J which is the same as used in the Junior National class.
Approx. Power – 11hp
Senior Clubman (15+ years)
Utilising the IAME KA100 reedjet or Yamaha KT100S, this class offers relatively low cost, yet fast and competitive racing. The Clubman class, as with all ‘controlled’ classes, uses a single brand and compound tyre, with wet weather tyres also an option for inclement conditions.
Approx. Power – 16hp
125cc TAG Restricted (Touch And Go – Formula Rotax, IAME X30, PRD Galaxy etc) (15+ years)
The TAG Restricted class caters for entry level competitors using push button or key start engines such as the Rotax MAX, X30 and PRD Galaxy engines fitted with a restricter plate. The engines used in these classes are watercooled and are fitted with a clutch and provide an easy step from beginner into the more powerful 125cc Open categories.
STATE LEVEL
Cadet (7 – 9 years)
The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance at a limited cost. Competitors use a Vortex 60cc Mini Rok fitted with a restrictor plate or Comer SW80 engine with a clutch. Drivers aged between 6 and 7 are only able to practice and must be 7 years of age before starting racing.
Approx. Power – 6hp
Cadet (10 – 12 years)
Using the same principal of the Cadet 9 class the Cadet 12 class use an unrestricted Vortex 60cc Mini Rok or Yamaha KT100J engine fitted with a restrictor plate.
Approx. Power – 8hp
Junior National (12 – 16 years)
With two weight divisions this class allows close competitive racing in karts with reliable engines (IAME KA100 Reedjet (fitted with a restrictor) or Yamaha KT100J) still fast enough to teach the basics of racecraft at a low cost.
Approx. Power – 11hp
Junior Clubman (13 – 16 years)
This class is for juniors making the step up from the National class, for more experienced drivers using faster engines (Unrestricted IAME KA100 or Yamaha KT100S).
Approx. Power – 16hp
Junior Max (13 – 16 years)
This is for the more experienced junior karters in Australia with all drivers using a 125cc Rotax MAX watercooled motor with clutch and electric starter.
Senior Clubman (15+ years)
Utilising the IAME KA100 Reedjet or Yamaha KT100S, this class offers relatively low cost, yet fast and competitive racing. The Clubman class, as with all ‘controlled’ classes, uses a single brand and compound tyre, with wet weather tyres also an option for inclement conditions.
Approx. Power – 16hp
125cc TaG (Touch And Go – Formula Rotax, IAME X30, PRD Galaxy etc) (16+ years)
The TAG classes cater for push button or key start engines such as the Rotax MAX, IAME X30 and PRD Galaxy engines. The engines used in these classes are water-cooled and are fitted with a clutch.
Approx. Power – 24 – 28hp
NATIONAL SERIES – Rotax Pro Tour
Micro MAX
Mini MAX
Junior MAX Trophy
Junior MAX
Rotax Light
Rotax Heavy
DD2
DD2 Master
AUSTRALIAN KART CHAMPIONSHIP
KA 12 (9-12 years)
This is the class for the youngest drivers in the Australian Kart Championship where they use an unrestricted Vortex 60cc Mini Rok.
Approx. Power – 8hp
KA Junior (12-16 years)
This class allows close competitive racing in karts with fitted with the IAME KA100 Reedjet (restricted) engine.
Approx. Power – 11hp
KF3 (13 – 16 years)
This is the elite category for junior competitors, it is Australia’s version of the international classes that are sanctioned by the world governing body, the CIK-FIA, for championships on an international level. The technical requirements for engines are the same as the international CIK classes that are raced throughout the world. *Licencing restrictions apply to this class.
KA1 (15+ years)
Utilising the IAME KA100 Reedjet engine, this class offers relatively low cost, yet fast and competitive racing.
Approx. Power – 16hp
KA TAG (15+ years)
The KA TAG class cater for push button or key start engines such as the Rotax MAX, IAME X30 and PRD Galaxy engines. The engines used in this class are water-cooled and are fitted with a clutch.
Approx. Power – 24 – 28hp
X30 (15+ years)
The IAME X30 class is a single-make 125cc class where drivers us the IAME X30 engine.
Approx. Power – 24 – 28hp
KF2, KZ2 (15+ years)
These classes are Australia’s version of the international classes that are sanctioned by the world governing body, the CIK-FIA, for championships on an international level. The technical requirements for engines are the same as the international CIK classes that are raced throughout the world. *Licencing restrictions apply to this class.
ENDURANCE
Endurance Karting (16+ years)
Endurance karting involves long distance races that range between four and 24 hours in length. Pit stops, driver changes, refuelling stops, race strategy and kart preparation are all vital to a team¹s performance. Karts are powered by two 6.5 horsepower four-stroke engines. The Endurance Karting Association (TEKA) was established in Australia in 2000 and is affiliated with the AKA in running endurance karting events. Visit http://www.teka.com.au for further information on endurance karting in Australia.
Approx. Power – 13hp