I want to start karting, what do I do?

[Sodemo]

Hi.

I have been freqenting these boards for some time now, and have reached the decision that I want to start karting.

I have been karting for 3 years with my University club/team going around various tracks in London. We went to the big Milton Keynes kart track which is great, raced on the full circuit and found it very enjoyable.

Initially I wasn't completely on the pace, but after a few races I was as quick as some of the regulars - some of which are ex - pro - ams.
By the last race of 2002 I was a couple of tenths off Guy Sheffield who I beleive was runner up in Formula A karting a while back ( I actually beat him in the race).

I am just wondering what do I need to have to compete in a basic championship?

What sort of budget do I need?

Do I have to have any certificates, do I have to have a licence of any kind?

Thanks for reading...

Ben.

[marcus]

Im not sure of the licence requirments in England , but I would imagine you do need one , your best bet would be to go to a local track during a meeting and talk to competitors or the club president and just find out what you need to start.

Karts themselves can be expensive and you have to be carefull when you start out because you can get dumped with a lemon quite easilly.

basically just ask questions of your local club and hopefully they will steer you in the right direction.

Karting is great fun and I hope you can get all the gear you need together and wish you all the best.
Its hard to give up once you start.

Good luck.

[superbird]

I am just wondering what do I need to have to compete in a basic championship?

• Kart, engine & slick tyres
• Wet tyres
• CIK approved racesuit
• Helmet (best get a Snell SA2000 but I think SA95 is still legal)
• Boots and gloves
• Toolkit
• Set of sprockets
• Kart stand
• Trailer or estate car at least to transport it
• A mate to help with lifting etc

What sort of budget do I need?

We anticipate spending about £4k this year in Rotax Max, that's for club meetings and one or two big events. Doesn't include cost of the kart or something to transport it with because we had them already. You could probably save on that by racing closer to home than we do and saving on accomodation and diesel.

Do I have to have any certificates, do I have to have a licence of any kind?

You need a license from the MSA, to get that you need to get a "Start Karting" pack from someone like Demon Tweekes. That has an application form and lots of information in it. Once you've got the license you do an "ARKS" practical and theory test then you can race. You will also need to be a member of at least one club affiliated to the Association of British Kart Clubs (ABKC).

I'd recommend you race in either Senior TKM or Rotax Max as they are both cheap, popular and easy to look after. At this stage the most important factor to consider when buying a kart is whether you can get parts if something goes wrong at the track! Go to the track/s you're going to race at (listings on www.karting.co.uk) and see what dealers are there, maybe see if they've got any karts for sale secondhand.

Post away if you've got any other questions

[marcus]

perfect , good stuff superbird

[Lee Janotta]

Best of luck to ya, Monster!