Getting Started in Karting - Part 1: Arrive and Drive

Although the Sport of Karting has been around over 50 years and is one of only 4 sanctioned by the FIA, the public remains largely unaware of the sport and or continue to have major misconceptions of karts and kart racing as a discipline.

Wikipedia has a number of articles on Karting including a good overview of Kart Racing :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kart_racing

There is also a neat Intro to Karting article on Autoblog.com.

To see some Live Semi-Pro karting racing action: see

• Supernationa XIII 2009
• Daytona Road Race (Warning large file!)
• Michael Schumacher Karting Test
• Fernando Alonso at Renault Roadshow

or search for Kart Race on Youtube

Traditional Entry to Karting

The traditional approach to getting into karting has generally been to buy a kart (engine and chassis) and joing a race league. But the steep learning curves, high up front costs etc can be a real obstacle for the uninitiated. Buying a used kart may reduce some of the up front expense but there is still the question of tools, transportation and expertise to campaign a racing vehicle with little prior knowledge.

Arrive and Drive

However, today their is a growing sub-category or karting generally called 'arrive and drive' karting where the race kart, tires, fuel and all even some gear such as helmets are provided. The would be racer simply has to join the race league, show up and drive.

With the lower power and speeds of these karts, and no need to store, haul, prepare and maintain the equipment this represents the best entry point into the sport available today.

Ontario

In Ontario, (Canada) there are several tracks that offer this type of racing and the list seems to be growing.

Among them: are:

• Cameron Motorsports, Hamilton
• Goodwood Kartways: Stouffville
• Mosports International: Mosport
• Innisfil Indy, Inisfil
• Erbsville Kartways, Waterloo

The leagues typically require you to sign up for membership (typically $99/yr or less after mid season) and then simpy pay a pit pass of $50 per event for racing.

Arrive and Drive Classes

Racing is divided into classes based on age and weight but is usually broken into:

• Cadet (or Youth) (8-12)
• Junior (or Teen) (13-17)
• Adult (18+)
• Adult leagues are usually divided further into Light, Medium and Heavy classes

Organization

Members have to go through an orientation process covering flags, safetly, rules and basic racing technique as well as read and get familiar with the sporting regulations . Some 'demonstration' or 'practice' racing is usually held early in the year prior to the start of the points season. Practice days are also available and encouraged for new members.

Events are usually held 3- 5 days a week on evenings and weekends. Club members have to join one of several 'Schedules' which repeat every two weeks. Members usually race a certain minimum number of events (~14-20) for the championships. Missed days can be made up on another schedule.

As the arrive and drive scene has grown there are increasing number of tracks offering entry level arrive and drive programs which are a step up from the Indoor Karting leagues and a step below the Club Level of Owner driver racing.

For more information, the internet or forums like canadiankartingnews.com or ekartingnews.com are useful resources. But the best source of information is often the local kart racing track.

For a list of Karting Clubs/Tracks in Ontario see the Club links here: http://www.nckc.net/links/index.asp

/FFJ