How To Get Started In Karting – Things To Note Down!

ByThe Old Racer
Table of contents

Contrary to popular belief, karting is no longer for kids anymore. Go-Kart racing is the closest way for you to get into a professional race without a significant time and financial investment.

So if you are looking for a detailed guide on karting for beginners, keep an eye on our blog about how to get started in karting to figure out everything for a new kart racer. Let’s get started!

How To Get Started In Karting? 

How To Get Started In Karting

Though karting is quite easy for everyone to follow, there are still some reminders that those who plan to start racing should know. It includes three following simple steps.

Step 1. Go to Your Local Karting Track

If you want to get into karting, the best thing you can do is go to your local karting track. It allows you to meet some of the drivers competing in the series. 

Most of them would be willing to help and share many useful pieces of advice with you. So try to talk to different racers; you will receive helpful recommendations and hear many interesting stories.

Step 2. Discover the Best Karting Equipment Store

As mentioned above, all drivers enjoy talking about themselves and their travel. So feel free to ask anything you wonder about and their favorite karting equipment store.

Getting fine equipment means you have shortened your way to the joyful karting moments. If you are lucky enough, you can also find some racers who sell their high-quality old stuff. 

Step 3. Develop As Many Relationships As Possible

This is the greatest initial step you can take. Build as many relationships as possible and make some buddies. Offer to assist them and learn about the karts and mechanics so that you can gain a good kick-off in this area.

If you intend to pursue it as a career, you need an FIA certification to start as a pro racer.

Is Go Karting Worth It? 

Go karting for beginner

Karting will never disappoint you because it is the best sport. You might have to pay quite a lot, but what you receive back would be amazing moments.

Due to the amount of concentration required, which is substantially higher than the level often displayed by young people in recreational activities, karting will help you concentrate and foster productivity. 

Moreover, the adrenaline hormone released by your body during exciting activities boosts oxygen flow to cells and other regions of your body, improving circulation and energy levels. 

Go-karting is also a family-oriented sport that gives you a chance to get closer to your family members and colleagues. 

When Should I Start Go Karting? 

Kart racing can begin as early as five years old. At this age, youngsters ride aptly referred to as “Kid Karts.” These machines are typically powered by a 50cc, two-stroke engine like a weed wacker.

Children as young as seven can compete in the SKUSA “Cadet” level. They ride 60cc two-stroke motors capable of reaching speeds of 50 mph here. Micro Swift riders are aged 7-9, while Mini Swift riders are between 9-13 years old.

12-year-olds and more might then go to the Junior division, where competition is severe. Now they are allowed to ride a full-size 125cc TaG that can reach up to 65 mph.

Do Go-Karts Have Gears? 

Go-karts necessitate gears to apply torque under particular conditions and change into reverse. Some even have a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, the majority of go-karts utilize a basic auto gearbox system with only a few gears. 

Each go-kart is a basic vehicle for simple yet fun competitive racing. However, transmission is still a crucial element of go-karts. It allows you to switch gears to ensure that the engine runs at peak performance.

This transmission system will automatically shift gears to manage speed and maintain an appropriate RPM level that does not overheat the engine. That is also why you scarcely notice the go-kart changing gears since the transmission system does it automatically.

What about a professional go-kart? Does it have gear? Then the answer is definitely yes; all professional go-karts have gears. 

Most pro racers go for shifter karts since they enable you to control the engine more and achieve maximum RPM without overheating it.

Even when they are not into shifter karts, they still employ a standard automatic transmission system for their go-karts. So, it goes without saying that every go-kart, be it used professionally or recreationally, calls for gears plus a transmission system to regulate the gears.

Is Karting Similar To F1? 

For many drivers, karting is their first foray into racing. Every Formula 1 driver began their career in some karting. So, karting is not very similar to F1. 

The biggest difference between the two can be their mechanics change. Karts are incredibly elegant and can turn rapidly, but they do not suffer nearly as many g-forces as a Formula 1 vehicle. Formula 1 racers can endure up to 5 or 6 Gs when driving around quick bends.

Most karting drivers are highly aggressive in braking, accelerating, and steering. However, it works differently in F1. The car needs to be smoother and has more constant motions, or it would become unstable and practically difficult to control.

How Do I Get Into The FIA Karting Championship? 

To compete in any international competition, the driver must have an international license, which is governed by the International Karting Licenses for Drivers & Code of Driving Conduct. All need to pass a medical examination to ensure their capacity to practice the sport of “Karting.”

International Karting licenses are divided into three levels.

  • Drivers from 12 to 14 years old should use Grade G.
  • Drivers under the age of 14 are classified as Grade F (only non-gearbox categories).
  • Grade E is reserved for drivers aged 15 and up.

How Much Does A Go-kart Weigh? 

As there are different classes for different ages, the go-kart weights also vary. Yet, in general, the typical weight of a race-ready go-kart is between 160 and 170 pounds. Race-ready indicates that the kart has all its components installed and is fully fueled.

The detailed categories for go-kart weight can be like the following:

  • For 6-8-year-old drivers, the weight limit is 152 lbs (kart and driver).
  • Drivers from 8-13 can drive up to 227 lbs.
  • Go-kart weight for 11-17-year-old drivers can range from 271 to 326 lbs.
  • Drivers beyond 16 can ride 271-326 lbs or 389-441 lbs cars, depending on their senior or gearbox class. 

How Much Horsepower Does A Go-Kart Have? 

Depending on the kind of go-kart, four-stroke or two-stroke engines with outputs ranging from 3.5 to 20 horsepower are common. These engines will have an air cooling system, an overhead-valve, a vertical shaft, and other features.

Most go-karts require around 4 horsepower to function effectively. If you desire more power and speed, you can upgrade to more horsepower. Yet, consider that engine upgrading can lead to tires popping or frame wear and tear, and even hard to control. So think carefully before heading to the final decision. 

Final Thoughts 

Hopefully, our blog on how to get started in karting will help you better understand the sport and the key components while entering the game. 

Karting is such an exhilarating sport to enjoy; it brings you joy and helps improve your health and relationships. We are sure that it will be worth your every moment to immerse in the play! All guides have been so clear above, so don’t hesitate and start into the games!

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