Get Started In Karting
Karting is a sport which is exhilarating and great fun, a sport which can be enjoyed by people of all ages from age 8 upwards.
There are many types of karts available in today's market; this guide has been created to give you a broad view of the sport and to help point you in the right direction.
After you have decided that you would like to try Karting, the easiest way to decide if the sport is for you is to drop into a indoor or outdoor corporate circuit, if you have a look at www.karting.co.uk you will be able to find a comprehensive list of tracks, in your area.
These tracks offer the facility to arrive and drive, where you pay your money and get a few laps, Once you've had a go, I am sure you'll be hooked.
At this point there are two ways to go into Karting, you could decide to continue with the Arrive 'n' drive concept, and just have a blast as and when you feel like it or you could Look to buy a kart.
If you decide to continue and look at buying a kart, the best thing to do is look at all the information available, that is where you would like our help…
Karting in the UK has many classes available, the Motor Sports Association are the governing body for the majority of classes in the UK, however there are a number of tracks which also run their own race series, which are still highly competitive, but are not governed by the MSA rules. You can decide which type of class and race series you would like to enter, the MSA Class Guide will give you a list of classes available through MSA regulations.
Here is a brief description of those classes described in the MSA Class Guide, (Courtesy of www.karting.co.uk/ABkC)
Formula Cadet & Formula Honda
Boys & girls can start kart racing at the age of 8 in Formula Cadet, although some tracks will allow youngsters to practice from the age of 7, they can continue in this class until the year of their 12th birthday. The formula cadet uses a 60cc 2-Stroke Engine, whilst the Honda Cadet uses a sealed GX160 4-Stroke Engine, they are allowed to race together, both have centrifugal clutch and recoil starter cord and modifications are limited to keep costs down. Chassis makes are registered and they must not be modified. Prices of new equipment are controlled to an agreed minimum. Maximum speed is about 55mph. There is a series for the MSA British Championship run for Formula Cadet within the Stars of the Future series. Like all direct drive classes there is a right hand foot pedal for the accelerator and a left hand foot pedal for the brake.
Formula A
The premier direct drive class for seniors, it uses the latest 100cc Engines and very grippy tyres at European and World level. This class is primarily raced for the MSA British Kart Championship within the Super 1 series, like ICA and JICA, CIK homologated chassis must be used; it is not a class to start in. Top speeds can be over 80mph.
Formula Libre
A class new for 2001, to use virtually any 100cc 2-Stroke engine and chassis complying with the MSA regulations, to help encourage bigger grids of these more powerful 2-Strokes from Formula A, ICA or National. The Dunlop tyres used are a little bit cheaper than the other classes; the class is only for seniors and is only intended to run at club level. A good option to start in for those looking for a faster 100cc kart.
100 National
A class for seniors only, using rotary valve 100cc engines, which were new designs up to the year 1998 and were homologated (approved and registered) with the CIK for use in Formula A. This class gives these engines extended life, as new engine designs for 2001 come into the Formula A class. Water-cooled options make the karts much quieter and easier to pass the strict noise tests now in operation everywhere, some clubs offer 100 National/165 for the heavier driver.
4-Stroke Classes
As well as the Honda Cadet, there are two further 4-stroke classes, Honda Junior which utilises two Honda GX120 Engines and the class is aimed at 11-16 year olds, whilst the Honda Senior uses two Honda GX160 engines for 16 - seniors, like the other classes juniors may move into seniors in the year of their 16th Birthday.
Ratpro are race organisers who run a series for Cadet, Junior and Senior Classes, run a Honda Challenge, within the Super 2 series, for more information you can contact Roger Abbey Taylor at ratpro@btinternet.com
Honda Seniors are also raced in endurance format commonly know as Pro-Karts, where a teams of drivers race for anything from 4 hours to 24 hours, this is a popular class with a high level of competition, a majority of local tracks which run their own sprint & endurance series, at club level, which many people find as an excellent starting point into 4 Stroke racing, there are also several bespoke racing 4-stroke engines including a new TKM, the Ecomoto and a Biland, have a look at the www.karting.co.uk tracks directory for clubs in your area.
Intercontinental A (ICA)
A medium to high cost class for seniors using homologated makes of reed valve 100cc engines with internationally homologated chassis types and quite grippy tyres. The engine can rev up to 20,000rpm. This class is the principal stepping-stone for seniors into the European CIK championships through regional qualifying events. The class is hotly contested at Super 1 Championship level and is not really a class to start in.
Junior Intercontinental A (JICA)
A CIK (European an Worldwide) class for 13-16 year olds. It uses a piston-ported engine with a centrifugal clutch requiring an external electric starter, although some of the latest engines might have on-board starters. Mainly raced at British Championship level within the Super 1 series, with some clubs also catering for this class. It uses relatively grippy tyres and provides a route for juniors to partake in World level Karting. The chassis must be CIK homologated which means all of the parameters have been registered for use in a particular class, this is not really a class for beginners.
Rotax Max and Rotax Junior UK and Mini Max
The Rotax uses a racing pedigree 125cc 2-Stroke direct drive engine with an onboard clutch and electric self-starter. The engine is powerful, although the maximum revs are limited, making the karts almost as fast as the ICA or Formula A. The engines are much lower maintenance than the 100cc alternatives, and are sealed so that only approved dealers can service them, making sure no unapproved tuning is carried out. Rotax Max is the senior class, with the Rotax Junior UK the junior equivalent for 13-16 year olds; the junior engine uses a less powerful cylinder and Mini Max is on an even more restriceted version for 11 to 16 year olds.
This is a relatively new class, which is very popular, but a consideration of experience is required before choosing these classes to start in.
Rotax offers an all expenses paid world final for selected senior drivers qualifying from their own championships.
Formula TKM
Formula TKM can claim to be the one of the UK's most popular classes, there are three classes, Junior TKM for 11-16 year olds, Junior Intermediate TKM for 11-16 year old where the drive in full race kit must weigh a minimum of 62kg, and Senior TKM for those from 16 years +, As always juniors can move to seniors in the year of their 16th birthday. To make racing equal and keep costs down, all the categories use a Tal-Ko TKM BT-82 piston port 100cc engine, to a strict non-tuning regime, but the junior categories have a restrictor between the carburettor and engine to limit the power.
Maintenance costs are reasonably low. As in all racing kart classes, the minimum all-up class weighs in each class to cater for the different age and driver sizes (lead ballast is used to bring the weight up to the minimum weight if necessary). Additionally on British made chassis that have been registered for the class are permitted, and maximum retail prices are set each year.
Optional clutches are permitted, in which case a portable external electric starter is needed. Without this direct drive the karts need to be pushed to start, initially with the rear wheels off the ground until enough speed is reached to start the engine. TKM is recommended for those starting 2-Stroke Karting and is raced at a majority of the UK Clubs; the top speeds are about 65-70mph.
Gearbox Classes
Junior Gearbox 80
This class uses a 85cc TM 2-Stroke engine with 6 gears and a clutch, this class is for 13-16 year olds, all other gearbox classes being for seniors over 16 years. With its 4 wheel braking, it offers juniors an experience close to a single seater racecar or of course the senior gearbox categories. Raced within the Highlight Super 4 Series and the Stars of Tomorrow series, but not at all clubs, a challenge series visiting clubs on their normal race days is planned for 2003.
125 Europa
An economy 125cc gearbox class using a sealed standard 6-speed Gilera engine (B class) or Motori-Bat (A Class) and approved makes of chassis for (B Class) and Top Kart (A Class). It is very quiet and reliable with a sealed engine that can only be serviced by approved dealers. Options include an on board electric starter. A good entry point for gearbox classes, but not raced at all circuits. The popular Europa Challenge takes place in selected rounds of the Super 4.
Formula National 125
A medium cost class using registered 125cc water-cooled reed valve, 6-speed engines for seniors. Certain obsolescent air-cooled engines might also be used. This is a good entry-level point for the gearbox classes with good grids and plenty of second hand equipment. The gearbox classes use either a hand clutch or a foot clutch just like a car, all use foot pedals for the throttle and the brake.
Formula 125 Open
The fastest 125cc gearbox class using CIK homologated (registered and approved) makes of reed or rotary valve 6 speed engines. The class is very similar to the internationally raced Formula C. Like most gearbox categories, there is a national AbkC Championship in the Super 4 Series. A little more expensive than the National 125, and speeds of 90mph (short circuit) and 115mph or more on the long circuit tracks are attained.
Formula 210
A classic using only the Villiers 197cc engine or clones. Administered by the drivers themselves through the 210-challenge group. Further details from Kate Bateman on 01527 870834. The challenge takes place in selected Super 4 rounds.
Formula 250 National
A popular class, especially on short circuit, using registered motocross 5 speed 250cc single cylinder 2-Stroke engines. Like all the 250's the Karts are often equipped with large full width nose cones and rear wings. The powerful 250's can reach speeds of 100mph on short circuits, and over 140mph on long circuits.
250 International
A very similar class to the CIK ICE raced internationally, it uses a five or six speed mono cylinder registered engine, the most popular of which is the 6 speed Rotax 257, although 250 national engines under prescribed tuning rules are also permitted. is no longer raced at short curcuit & In long circuit this is the MSA British Championship Class under CIK Superkart division 2 rules.
Formula 250E
The latest gearbox class with a powerful twin cylinder 250cc 2-Stroke and 6 gears, now 2 x 125cc engines are allowed too ! (i.e twin engined kart) Capable of speeds up to 160mph at the fastest motor racing tracks. It is still raced for major championships in certain continental countries, and again has a CIK European Championship, but is generally a non-professional class in the UK administered by a development group to limit further costs.
In a majority of the above classes there a few more considerations to make, as you will appreciate the more time spent now, the better your understanding will be for the future.
If you see a class that you are interested in, then go and watch some of the racing to see what happens, people are always keen to help newcomers into the sport so, having a walk around the pits could help you make your mind up, remember the more information you have the better informed you will be.
The next consideration to have will be your class and your budget, don't forget that a majority of these classes require a ARKS test www.arks.co.uk, MSA licence, a club membership and possibly a medical, further details on licences can be obtained from www.msauk.org, which are all on top of the cost of the kart itself, along with adequate protective clothing and helmet.
So by now we should have decided class, got our licence, decided on the series, now where do you get the kart, there are many options available, second-hand there is a massive market in second-hand karts, you will find www.karting.co.uk has a very good market place or maybe at your local circuit May advertise karts for sale, alternatively Karting has it's own magazine dedicated to our sport, which has a classified ad's section, it is a subscription magazine and their telephone number is 01689 897123.
If you decide that you want the whole kit and caboodle from new then there are once again many suppliers of karts, remember though some classes require on certain chassis that can be entered to race, once again the more information you have the easier your choice will be, however, we would like to remind you that Zoom Karts are agents for the LRG (Sorry had to get that in somewhere!) Joking aside this guide is to help you and not to influence your choice and we are being impartial!
So by now you should have a little more information to help you on your way into Karting, We have included this page, because all the management and staff at Zoom Karts live and breathe Karting, any really think that the sport is excellent fun for people of all ages, and if you should still require any further advice, please e-mail us at info@zoomkarts.com
In summary to this guide the following links are what we think will help point you in the right direction …
www.karting.co.uk
www.karting.co.uk/abkc
www.arks.co.uk
www.msauk.org
Whichever class you decide to compete in, everyone at Zoom Karts would like to wish you a great racing season. |
