There is no secret that karting is fun and is a sport for the whole family to get involved in and enjoy.

I have been involved in the karting community since I was a young girl, like a lot of people, I got into karting because my Dad raced karts and so, I was lucky enough for Santa to bring me a go-kart when I was 10 years old, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here are my tips on getting started in karting (without relying on Santa !)

1) Do your research

Before anything, make sure that you do your research. Check out your local kart club, and attend a race meeting so you can see what it is all about. Before you purchase a kart, see if your local kart club offers a come-and-try day. These are amazing events put on by Karting Australia clubs to give you a taste of what “real” karting is all about before spending any money. For the little ones (between and 6 and 12 years of age) Karting Australia (the governing body of karting) has a national program called Junior Sprockets.

2) Put a budget together

Karting is the most affordable form of motorsport, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t expensive. A second-hand kart can set you back thousands of dollars -and you will need to factor in an engine (depending on the class or category you want to run), tyres, spares, kart licence, club membership, all your safety gear, a trailer, kart trolly, tent, tools, oil and fuel. All that before hitting the track for the first time. This isn’t to scare you but to put things into perspective. You should budget at least AUD 10,000 to get started.

2) Join a local club & apply for a Karting Australia Licence

You will need to join a club and apply for a licence before hitting the track. This is all done online via the Karting Australia website here.

3) Purchase your equipment

Whether you choose to buy a new or second-hand kart, you can do this at your local kart shop or via karting classifieds Facebook group. Here are a few reputable groups that you should check out. Karting Classifieds Australia | IKC Classifieds | Australian Karting Auctions

4) Head to the track

Kart tracks are open on specific days and times for general practice. Make sure you check out the club’s website before heading out and make sure you book your practice ticket. It is great if you are new and are heading to the track with a mate. This makes the (literal) heavy lifting and overall experience far better.

If you are looking for support, guidance and advice check out our Subscriptions and start your karting journey off on the right foot! If you have any further questions about Getting Started in Karting, feel free to contact us!

e: jess@jessgoldingmotorsport.com.au

m: 0416 494 848