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KARTING – FUN AFFORDABLE MOTORSPORT
Karting is the world’s most affordable form of motorsport. 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 NSKC 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. |
How to go Karting - Five Simple Steps and You're Racing!
| STEP 1 - JOIN AN AKA CLUB
There are over 90 Clubs affiliated with the Australian Karting Association. Clubs are located right across Australia in both metropolitan and regional centres.
Joining an AKA 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.
You can join our club on Wednesday nights between 5.00pm till 6.00pm at the Eastern Creek track. You will need 2 passport size photos of yourself or whomever is obtaining a licence.
Joining the club costs:
- $50.00 Juniors
- $70.00 Seniors
- $100.00 Family
- New AKA licence costs $245.00
A copy of your Birth Certificate is required for those under 18 years. |
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| STEP 2 - GET AN AKA LICENCE
Once you are a member of an AKA Club you will need an AKA licence. The licence comes with an AKA Karting Manual, which outlines all the rules, regulations and operations of the AKA. An AKA Licence also deals with insurance while racing.
To find your local State Association Secretary, visit the ABOUT THE AKA page and email your local Secretary or call 1300 30 KART (1300 30 5278) |
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| 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. |
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| 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 racegear shops carry ranges of karting gear and even motorcycle shops can be good for things like helmets and wet weather driving gear.
Local Kart Shops
- Parramatta Kart Warehouse
- Kart One
- St George Kart Centre
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- 02 9831 4477
- 02 9672 7523
- 02 9773 8677
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| 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 friends you make in karting will be friends for life. |
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KARTING CLASSES
Midgets (7 – 11 years)
The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance at a limited cost. Competitors use a Comer S80 engine with a clutch or a Yamaha KT100J fitted with a restrictor plate.
Approx. Power – 6hp |
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Rookies (10 – 12 years)
Using the same principal of the Midgets class the Rookies use a Yamaha KT100J engine fitted with a restrictor plate.
Approx. Power – 8hp |
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Junior National (12 – 16 years)
With two weight divisions this class allows close competitive racing in karts with reliable engines (Yamaha KT100J) still fast enough to teach the basics of race craft at a low cost.
Approx. Power – 11hp |
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Junior Clubman (12 – 16 years)
This class is for juniors making the step up from the National class, for more experienced drivers using faster engines (Yamaha KT100S and ARC Spec 100).
Approx. Power – 16hp |
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Formula JMA (13 – 16 years)
This is the newest class for the more experienced junior karters in Australia with all drivers using a 125cc water-cooled motor with clutch and electric starter. |
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Senior National (16+ years)
This class is very popular throughout Australia as a competitive club level class. The engine used is the reliable Yamaha KT100J which is the same as used in the Junior National class.
Approx. Power – 11hp |
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Senior Clubman (16+ years)
Senior Clubman is the most popular class in Australia. Utilising the 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 |
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125cc TAG (Touch And Go - Formula Rotax, Leopard, Fireball etc) (16+ years)
A number of senior classes with an engine capacity of 125cc have recently been introduced to the Australian karting scene. The TAG classes cater for push button or key start engines such as the Rotax MAX, Leopard and Fireball engines. The engines used in these classes are water-cooled and are fitted with a clutch. These classes represent the step between Clubman racing and international competition.
Approx. Power – 24 - 28h |
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125cc TaG Restricted
Is a new class specifically designed for new comers to the sport. The touch and go aspect still remains making this class very popular among new people in the sport. This class allows the karter to purchase one of the above mentioned engines and then fit a restrictor at the exhaust to limit the hp the engine can deliver to 17hp. Note no A or B grade licence holders are allowed to race within this class. But once you have completed your P plate stage (3 race meets) and then 5 race meets and gained your signatures. You can then upgrade to OPEN 125 (above) as a B grade licence holder.
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