WHY KARTING?
Kartingisfast,familyfun!
Peopleofallagescanenjoykartingwithkidsasyoungassix* gettingbehindthewheel.
Kartingisanawesomesportthatissafeforkidsandadultsalike. Safetyisourhighestconsideration.Today'skartsandtracksare thesafesttheyhaveeverbeen,meaningkidsandadultscanhave theabsolutebesttimearoundthetrack.
Kartinghasfirmlyestablisheditselfasthemostcommonfirststep tobecomingaracingcardriver.
Thisisthecheapestoptionforthoselookingtogowheel-to-wheel racingbutnotwantingtopaythecoststhatweseeincarracing.
Ifyouaskanyprodriverwheretheystartedorwheretheyhadthe mostfunracing,theanswerwillbealmostunanimous,karts.For anykidslookingtoonedaybecomeaproracingcardriver,thisis whereyouhavetostart.
Butit’snotonlyforthekids.Ifyouhavealwaysdreamedof becomingaproandyouareanadultthatcannowaffordtopay toliveoutyourdream,therearelotsofcompetitiveclassesin kartingforyouaswell!
Kartsanddifferentpoweredenginesareavailableforkidsand adults,ensuringeveryoneisinakartappropriatefortheirsizeand experience.
*Kids can drive and practice at six years old and can race once they turn seven!
GIRLS RACE TOO!
Hey girls, ever thought about giving karting a go?
Karting is an awesome way to dive into the world of motorsport! Whether you want to drive just for fun with friends or aim for the podium at club, state, or even national competitions, karting is for you. Plus, it’s one of the only sports where girls and boys compete on a completely level playing field.
In 2024, Karting Australia launched the Girls Race Too initiative to ensure karting is totally inclusive and welcoming to girls. With mentoring programs, a fun and social community, and ongoing encouragement, this initiative is all about empowering girls to thrive in the sport. Whether you ’ re here for the laughs or chasing the checkered flag, we ’ re here to support you every step of the way.
THE SP TOOLS JUNIOR SPROCKETS PROGRAM
The SP Tools Junior Sprockets program is a participation initiative developed by Karting Australia to provide kids aged 6 - 12 with the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of driving an authentic racing kart in a safe and controlled environment.
The program includes a gift bag containing karting goodies, including some cool merchandise AND a free 12 month Karting Australia practice licence to assist your budding racer to get started in karting and with their transition into competitive karting!
The Junior Sprockets Plus program is designed for those kids who are actively involved in karting and understand the basics. The program has been tailored to focus on driving techniques and race craft to provide current licence holders with a boost in their racing.
PLACES ARE LIMITED, TO BOOK YOUR CHILD IN OR FIND FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE JUNIOR SPROCKETS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT www.karting.net.au/junior-sprockets or @juniorsprockets on Facebook
GIVE KARTING A "TEST DRIVE"
Kartingisafun.familyfriendlysport.Kartersyoungandoldarealways happytohelpoutnewcomers. Therearemorethan60KartingAustraliaClubsinAustralia! Headdowntooneofyourlocalclubstofindoutmore.Askquestions, meetthepeopleandgetafeelforthesport.
BRING A MATE
Asthenamesuggests,theBringaMateprogramisdesignedtolet peoplewho'veneverracedakartbeforeexperiencethethrillofkarting inasafe,controlledenvironmentandisopento:
acurrentlylicensedjuniororseniordriver whowillallowtheirmatetousetheir equipmentand, afriendoracquaintanceofthelicensed driverwhoisinterestedingivingkartinga "testdrive".
Contact your local Karting Australia Club to find out when their next "Bring A Mate" day is scheduled.
THE SPORT OF KARTING
Manypeopleassociatekartingwith youngdrivers,butadultsarealsovery activeinkarting.
Ouroldestclubmemberisover80years youngandwehavekidsasyoungassix onthetrack! Lotsofkidsstartkarting atsixandstartcompetingatseven.
Kartingteacheschildren–bothboys andgirls–drivingskillswellbeforethey areabletoobtaintheirroadlicence.
Kartingiscompetitive,butitisalsofun andfamilyfriendly,withinvolvementin thesportbothonandoffthetrack givingitastrongfeelingofcommunity.
Forthoseaimingatacareerinmotorsport,almosteveryonewho racescarsstartedracinginKarts–it’sthebestfunyouwillhaveon fourwheels.
RacemeetingstakeplaceattracksacrossAustraliamost weekendsoftheyearatfourlevels–Club,Zonal,StateorNational.
If you don’t want to race you can be a recreational karter, driving just for fun, or become an official and have the best seat in the house!
HOW TO START KARTING
HeadOutToAKartingClub
Kartingisafriendly,family-orientatedsportandkartersyoungand oldarealwayshappytohelpoutnewcomers.
Makesureyouasklotsofquestionsofmembersofyourkartclub, stateassociationandlocalkartshop.Itisoftenagoodideatoplan yourfirsttriptothekarttrackwithyourkartwithsomeoneyouknow sothattheycanhelpyouwithanyquestionsyoumayhave.
Also,whileatthecircuitfeelfreetoaskothercompetitorsany questions.Sooften,thefriendsyoumakeinkartingwillbefriendsfor life.
ApplyforaLicence
JoiningaKartingAustraliaAffiliatedClubwillgiveyouaccesstothat club’scircuitforpractice,aswellasallowingyoutoparticipateinany Clubchampionship,socialevents,workingbeesandotherclub activities.
VisittheClubFindersectiononKartingAustraliawebsite (karting.net.au)tofindtheKartingAustraliaClubnearesttoyou.
YoucanthenjoinyourchosenKartingAustraliaClubonlinethrough theLicencesandEntriessectiononkartng.net.au.
Joining a Club and obtaining a Licence is all done in this one place on the website.
You can check out the different types of licences (including the RECREATIONAL LICENCE by scanning the QR code.
HOW TO START KARTING
PurchaseaKart
Priortopurchasingyourkart,itishighlyrecommendedthatyoutalkto yourlocalClubtoensureyouarepurchasingtheappropriatekartto suityourneeds.
TherearekartshopsandkartingbusinessesrightacrossAustralia.Your newClubwillbeabletohelpyoufindtheonethatprovidesthebest valueformoneyadviceandserviceforpeoplewhoareenteringthe sport.
Mostwillhavenewandsecondhandoptionsforyou.
Wedon’trecommendthatyoubuyyourfirstkartoffwebsitessuchas Ebay,Gumtreeoranyotherplacesontheinternet.Youneedtobe surethatthekartandenginethatyouarebuyingisingoodcondition, issuitableforyouragegroupandClassthatyouwillbelookingto competein.
Safety Gear
Most kart retailers will also offer a range of safety gear. You will need a full face helmet, race suit, racing boots, gloves and other safety gear such as padded rib vests and neck braces.
As well as kart retailers, many motorsport racegear shops carry ranges of karting gear.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Full face helmet.
One piece driving suit.
Gloves that resist abrasion and provide full finger protection.
Racing Boots.
Long hair must be securely retained either with a hair net, hood, balaclava or driving suit at all times.
All children must wear a rib protector.
It is highly recommended that all children wear a neck brace.
** Note: Due to material safety specifications, safety equipment designed for motorcycling or race car competitions are NOT recommended for kart racing.
I N T R O D U C T O R Y C L A S S E S T H E N E X T L E V E L O F K A R T I N G A f t e r d e v e l o p i n g t h e i r k a r t i n g s k i l l s i n t h e c l a s s e s m e n t i o n e d i n t h e p a s t f e w p a g e s , j u n i o r a n d s e n i o r
d r i v e r s h a v e t h e a b i l i t y t o g r a d u a t e t o m o r e p o w e r f u l k a r t s / e n g i n e s s h o u l d t h e y d e s i r e .
F o r j u n i o r d r i v e r , t h e h i g h e r l e v e l s o f k a r t i n g i n c l u d e c l a s s e s s u c h a s t h e e l i t e K A 2 c l a s s .
F o r t h e s e n i o r d r i v e r , t h e h i g h e r l e v e l s o f k a r t i n g i n c l u d e t h e T a G 1 2 5 c l a s s t h a t u t i l i s e s u n r e s t r i c t e d
1 2 5 c c w a t e rc o o l e d e n g i n e s s u c h a s I A M E X 3 0 , P R D G a l a x y , V o r t e x R o k G P , R o t a x 1 2 5 a n d t h e e l i t e
K Z 2 G e a r b o x C l a s s .
Howmuchdoeskartingcost?
Thecostofkartingvariesdependingonthelevelofcompetition youarelookingtocompeteat.Oncetheinitialpurchaseofakart, safetyequipmentandatrailer/vehicletotransportyourkartis complete,atanentryandClublevel,budgetingafewhundred dollarspereventissufficient.
HowolddoIhavetobetostartkarting?
Drivers,bothboysandgirls,canstartdrivingattheageofsixyears oldandhavetheirfirstraceatsevenyearsold.Kartingisasport enjoyedbypeopleofallages.
WheredoIbuyakart?
Itisalwaysrecommendedthatyoupurchasekarts,enginesand equipmentfromareputablekartingretailertoensurethatthekart issuitableforyourage,sizeandexperience,alongwithcomplying withallKartingAustraliarules.
HowoftencanIrace?
MostClubsacrossthecountryhosteventsoncepermonth, however,therearealsoopportunitiestoraceatneighbouring Clubs.Whenfirststartingout,weencourageyoutocompletesome SocialKartingDaysatyourlocalClubbeforeembarkingonyour firstrace.
CanIshareakartwithanotherperson?
Iftheyareofthesameagegroupasyou,thereisnoissuewithtwo DriverssharingkartsindifferentClasses.However,itwillonlybe abletousedbyonepersonineachClass.
Whatarethesafetyrequirementsforracingakart?
Pleaseseeallofthedetailsonpage9orconsultyourlocalkart retailertogetadviceonallofthesafetyequipmentthatyou’ll require.
Howfastdotheygo?
Thespeedofakartdependsontheagegroup.AsayoungCadet driver,thetopspeedisapproximately80km/hwhileJuniorand SeniorDriversreachspeedscloserto100km/h. Thesespeeds dependonthesizeofthetrack.
Canyouraceatatrackifyou’renotamember?
AllDriversneedtoholdaKartingAustralialicenceandaClub MembershipataKartingAustraliaaffiliatedclubtoeitherpractice orraceataKartingAustraliatrack.
THE OFFICIAL STUFF!
Things We Hope You’ll Never Need But Do Need To Know...
Safety
KartingAustraliacircuitsandracetracksarerequiredtobebuiltand maintainedinlinewithKartingAustralia’sCircuitRegulationsand Guidelines. Theyareregularlyinspectedandlicencedbyaccredited CircuitInspectors.
Insurance
KartingAustraliaprovidesthehighestqualityandthehighestlevelsof insurancecoverofanykartingassociationinAustralia.
OurpartnershipwithGallagher,aworldleaderinsportsinsurancehas enabledustocreatesafersportingenvironmentsforallmembersof thekartingcommunity.
EveryLicensedDriver,OfficialandClubVolunteerarefullyinsured whenevertheyareparticipatinginapprovedcompetitionorSocial KartingActivitiesononeofourClubcircuits.
PublicLiabilityinsuranceandgeneralaccidentinsurancecomeswith yourLicence.
ON TRACK INFO!
Below is a summary of many of the flags used at Karting Australia events.
GREEN FLAG
All Clear. Can also be used if necessary to signal the start of warm up laps or practice sessions.
GREENWITHYELLOWCHEVRONFLAG
Restart.ReformonTrack.TobeusedbytheStarterand/or ClerkoftheCourseintheeventofanerrorofjudgementbythe Starter.
REDFLAG
Allracingmustcease.Noovertakingispermitted.Driverswill indicatebyraisingtheirarmandreturntothegridatslow speed.
BLACK AND WHITE WITH DIAGONAL JOIN
Displayed with a panel with the Driver’s Kart number displayed. Unsportsmanlike behaviour must report to the Clerk of the Course immediately after race.
BLACKANDORANGEFLAG
DisplayedwithpanelwithDriver'sKartnumber.mechanical/ safetyproblemordoesnotcomplywithRules.Returntoin gridsafelyimmediatelyfollowingcompletionofnextlap.
YELLOWFLAG
Dangerahead.Reducespeed,donotovertakeandbeprepared tochangedirection.Hazardahead.
BLUE FLAG
You are about to be lapped by one or more Competitors.
BLACK FLAG
Displayed with panel which shows Kart number. Driver black must return to the in grid immediately following completion of the next lap. The Driver may not re-enter the race.
BLACKANDWHITECHEQUERED
Blackandwhitechequeredflagindicatestheendoftherace.
