So after you have driven a kart and you still think racing is for you, get along to your nearest MSA kart race meeting and watch the racing.
For details of where racing takes place around the country, look on our website under “Getting Started”. Most clubs run a practice day on the Saturday and then race on the Sunday so it might be an idea to watch the practice sessions and ask questions when things are slightly more relaxed. Karters are (mostly) a friendly bunch and many of them will be happy to help and advise a potential new entry into the sport. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how stupid they sound, as getting an answer might save you a lot of money.
OK, you’ve had a go, you’ve been to a race meeting and you still want to get involved. The next step is to get yourself an MSA kart licence. Most clubs running the MSA Lets Go Karting scheme will be able to arrange this for you. Getting your license involves taking an ARKS test, where you will be testing not only on your driving ability but also on the safety flags, which are a tremendously important part of all forms of motorsport. Remember at this point you still do not need to go out and buy a kart.
By this stage you will probably know what class you would like to compete in, but remember your age and in some cases your weight will determine your choice. There are lots of different classes in karting so you might want to see which classes are popular at the circuit closest to where you live.
A suggested route if you are under 13 is the MSA Comer Cadet class which caters for drivers aged 8 to 13. Following on from that is Mini Max for ages 11 to 17 and after that Junior Max for ages 13 to 17 or the Formula KF3 for ages 13 to 17. If you are over 16 then the maybe the Rotax Max or TKM Extreme classes would suit. There are also a number of gearbox classes for Senior drivers looking for the ultimate adrenalin rush.
