Want to start kart racing? Here’s how!

• Study this article for the classes that might suit you, take your age, driver weight, mechanical ability and experience into account. Don’t worry; kart racing has classes to suit everyone from age 8 upwards.
• Don’t rush out and buy the first kart you see!
• Go to your local circuits and look at the classes that are racing. Look to see what makes of karts the local traders support. Talk to other drivers and officials to help make you choice of class. Choose a well supported class.
• Do take an introductory course at the ARKS School. This will offer you the chance to try a race kart without too much expenditure. The ARKS Schools offer professional tuition and many run their own race teams.
• Buy Karting Magazine and look at www.karting.co.uk for the new and used kart adverts. Your local club notice board may also have adverts.
• Over 16? Kart Tyro may be for you? This is a new low-powered (under15bhp) class for beginners where an ARKS Test and medical are not required. You can even get your racing licence on the day of the race. (But check to see if your local club offers the class).

Licensing to Racing

• Buy the Start Karting pack from the MSA or ARKS School. This costs £40 and contains your novice driver licence application form. Study the regulations and the DVD/Video (If you are exempted from buying the pack, download licence form from www.msauk.org. exemptions include having previously held a licence, holding a foreign licence or a NATSKA licence. You may just need to take the written part of the test.)
• After you have had enough practice and have learnt the regulations, book the AKS novice driver test. Certain clubs can carry out the test, as well as the ARKS Schools.
• If you are 18 or over, you need to have a medical. Both you and your doctor need to complete parts of the licence application form. This usually costs about £90.
• Take the ARKS test, this costs £77. It is in two arts, a driving test and a multiple choice questionnaire covering the flag signals and regulations. If you fail either part, you can re-take it later for an additional fee. If you need to hire a kart for the test, there will be an additional fee.
• Join a kart club, making sure it is a member of the ABkC. Send off for your competition licence, this costs £27. Enter your first race. (Under 18’s can race immediately.)