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Introduction to Karting. Summer is just around the corner and with the weather starting to heat up, there has never been a more perfect time to start your karting career. We have new and second hand packages available and with our trained staff we will guide you into the correct racing class. We will spend a day with you, going through all there is to know about karting, kart maintenance, and kart mechanics etc. So you have decided you want to buy a kart. You've screamed around the local indoor kart track and are now looking for something with a bit more power. Whatever your reasons, you now have decided you want to race......................What Now? Karting caters for people of all ages from 7 year old midgets to 60 year old seniors. There is certainly a class that will cater for your age, weight and of course your budget. Karting is attractive to many, as it is in fact the cheapest form of motorsport available in Australia today. Karting today is sophisticated, yet affordable. Race courses are small scale versions of sports car type road courses and are mostly bitemen. Karting is also considered to be the purest form of motorsport, as the kart itself is made up of only a small number of components that can affect the overall performance. Karting allows you to really participate in some of the most exciting racing you as a driver will ever experience. There is a place in karting for you as the driver or mechanic. Karting offers mechanical interest, design, high performance, driving skill and the most competitive racing ever. Dads, mums, sons and daughters can all participate and have a great time at race meetings. The whole family can become involved both on and off the track. Karting teaches discipline in young drivers and is also a great confidence builder. However, karting is far from being just for the juniors. It is a sport that many professional and business people have beome involved in. From that occasional weekend outing to the carefully planned, scheduled and budgeted year long campaign for the national championship. Karting caters for all levels. Find your local track, attend race meetings, ask questions, introduce yourself to club members, indroduce yourself to the local kart dealer. Decide on what class looks appealing to you, decide on budget, new or used etc. You will find everlasting friendships with people involved in karting and you will genuinely have a great time being involved.
Classes: Classes availabe to you, will depend on your age, weight and what engine you wish to run. | Classes | Age Category | Engine | | Midgets | 7-11 | Comer SW80 Engine Comer S80 Engine Yamaha KT100J with Restrictor | | Rookies | 10-12 | Yamaha KT100J | | Junior National | 12-16 | Yamaha KT100J | | Junior Clubman | 12-16 | Yamaha KT100S | | Junior Rotax | 13-16 | Modified Rotax | | Senior National | 16+ | Yamaha KT100J | | Clubman | 16+ | Yamaha KT100S | | Rotax | 16+ | Rotax 125cc | | Leopard | 16+ | Leopard 125cc | | Rotax Restricted | 16+ | Rotax 125cc New Class, suitable for the new rotax driver. |
Getting Started: Go to your local club and watch some races, what karts are supported there, whats winning in the class you are considering competing in. If you dont know what brands are the better ones or your not sure, spend time at your nearest track and talk to the drivers who are racing there. Step One - Decide what class suits you and your budget, purchase all necessary karting equipment required to start racing. Your local kart shop will be able to help you out with this one. The basic requirements are a chassis, engine, tyres, approved race suit, helmet, gloves and boots. You will also need some tools and a couple of spart parts, although most good kart shops will have trackside assistance. Step Two - You will need an AKA (Australian Karting Association) licence and to sign up for club membership at whatever track you decide to become a member of. The club's membership secretary will be able to help you with your club membership and will then apply to the state body on your behalf for your AKA licence. Step Three- For Midgets, Rookies and Juniors, the first four meetings for new drivers, you will run on your "P" plates. For Seniors, new drivers will also run on "P" plates and drivers must start from the rear of the grid. New drivers must also participate at one race meeting as a flag marshall, under the supervision of a corner flag steward. Once this is completed the driver will then be granted a full "C" grade licence. Competitors can then proceed to collect endorsements from various other race meetings to be upgraded to a "B" grade licence holder. Step Four- Your ready to race. If your not quite confident enough to race - practice, practice, practice. See your club for days your track is available to practice on.
Apparel - What you will need: Helmets - Your helmet will need to be a full face helmet with a visor and must be worn at all times during racing and or practice. All helmets just meet the Australian standard AS1698. It is also important to note that all helmets must be within 10 years of manufacture date.
Driving Suit - All karting suits must be one piece and should be made of a material that offer a high level of abrasion resistance. Suits need to be adequately secure at the neck, wrist and ankles, and must be worn at all times during racing and or practice.
Gloves and boots - Gloves and Boots must be worn at all times during racing and or practice. Gloves should provide full finger protection and be secure around your wrists. Boots must cover ankles. Chassis - There are many chassis available on the market today and many classes to choose from for karting. However, each kart manufacturer will produce a number of chassis suited to various different classes. When you know what class you will be racing in, decide on a manufacturer. First decision - Australian vs European manufactured chassis. The ever debated Holden vs Ford debate. Our best advice, go with what is supported at your local track. No point buying a chassis your local kart dealer cannot help you with. Engine - Most karting engines are 2-stroke 100cc engines. Engines range from Midget Comer S80 engines of 8hp or restricted Yamaha J engines which produce about 12HP, through to the Rotax Max 125 or Leopard 125 engines, which produce 28hp and are capable of speeds of 120+. Tyres - All classes have a strict brand and type of tyre that must be run depending on engine & class. Karts use slick tyres in the dry and grooved tyres for wet weather conditions. All tyres are AKA approved and controlled. | Classes | Engine HP | Tyres | | Midgets | Comer S80 Engine - | Dunlop SL1 x 4 Front Tyres | | Rookies | Yamaha KT100J - | Dunlop SL1 x 4 Front Tyres | | Junior National | Yamaha KT100J - | Dunlop SL1 | | Junior Clubman | Yamaha KT100S - | MG Red | | Junior Rotax | Modified Rotax 125 - 18HP | MG Red | | Senior National | Yamaha KT100J - | Dunlop SL1 | | Clubman | Yamaha KT100S | MG Red | | Rotax | Rotax 125 - 28HP | Mojo D2 | | Leopard | Leopard 125 - 28HP | MG Yellow | | Rotax Restricted | Restricted Rotax 125 - 18HP | MG Red |
Race Meetings: Club Meetings - Your local kart club will hold a race meeting once a month. Club days are for the beginner driver and occasional karter and are usually run on a Sunday. State Championships - This is for the more serious competitor, Each year a club from each state is selected to hold a state championship. Open state championships are usually conducted over 3 days and consist of qualifying and racing. Open State Championships are open to all drivers from other states and are highly regarded as the winners of these events are awarded "Blue Number Plates" for 12 months. Australian Championships - The Australian Championships are the pinnacle of karting in Australia. This event is held once a year at a selected club in Australia and is conducted over 4 days of qualifying and racing. Winning an Australian Championship is the highest accolade any karter can receive and each winner is awarded a "Green & Gold Number Plate" and the use of Number #1 for the next 12 months.
Kart Classes: Midgets 7-11years The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance at a limited cost. Competitors use a Comer SW80 engine with a clutch or a Yamaha KT100J fitted with a restrictor plate.
Approx. Power - 6hp Rookies 9 - 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 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 racecraft at a low cost. Approx. Power - 11hp 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 Formula JMA 13 - 16 years
This is the newest class for the more experienced junior karters in Australia with all drivers using a 125cc watercooled motor with clutch and electric starter. 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 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 125cc (Touch And Go - Formula Rotax, Leopard, Fireball etc) 16+ years
Rotax or Leopard 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 watercooled and are fitted with a clutch. These classes represent the step between Clubman racing and international competition. Approx. Power - 24 - 28hp 125cc Restricted (Touch And Go - Formula Rotax, Leopard, Fireball etc) 16+ years
Rotax or Leopard 16+ years
Just recently the Australian Karting Association introduced the Rotax Restricted Class. This class is for any new rotax driver and will restrict your rotax down to about 18hp for 9 racing meetings. The engines used in these classes are watercooled and are fitted with a clutch. These classes represent the step between Clubman racing and international competition. Approx. Power - 18hp
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