In Australia, the name 'Superkarts' refers to all of the karts raced on long road-type circuits,  both 'shifter' or gearbox karts in 80cc, 125cc and 250cc capacities, as well as the new Formula Rotax 125 MAX class.  In 1985 all 'shifter' type karts in Australia moved under the control of CAMS to race only on long circuits until very recently when the 125 ICC and KZ2 class karts have been re-introduced through the CIK series back to the AKA to run on sprint tracks again.

The Non-Gearbox are classes with restrictions that limit the engines and tyres used, with 125cc engine capacity adapted directly from Sprint Karting for the unique requirements of long circuit racing.  The Non-Gearbox classes may well be the cheapest form of motorsport sanctioned by CAMS, but they also produce some of the closest and most entertaining racing, with slip-streaming and constant changes of position in every race.

There are three classes of Gearbox Superkart, or shifter karts, with engine capacities from 80cc through 125cc and up to 250cc.  Many of the engines, particularly 80cc and 250cc single cylinder ones, are adapted from motocross motorcycles, while the 125cc and 250cc twin cylinder classes are dominated by Grand Prix motorcycle specification engines.  The costs to build and maintain the gearbox class Superkarts are proportionately higher than the non-gearbox classes, as are the top speeds !!

Needless to say, Superkarts offer the choice in classes to match your budget, mechanical expertise and desire for the ultimate adrenalin rush.

Superkarting has been the 'racing passion' of Ian Williams since the early years of  Enduro karts. And as almost every top driver in karting in Australia over thirty years ago raced 100cc or 200cc  laydown style Enduro karts, Ian's return in the early 1990's to the 100cc Yamaha class took him 'full-circle'.

On the left below is an 80cc gearbox Superkart as raced by Stephen Cash, current lap record holder at Sandown Pk., Melbourne --and sitting in the seat about to test drive it is a very young Michael Rogers who some years later has  won  National Titles in the 100cc and 125cc  NGB Superkart classes.  On the right is the formup area with the 80cc class lining up at the Philip Island Grand Prix circuit.

                          

Two different 'non-gearbox' Superkarts, a Junior Rotax Max on the left and right, and a Senior Max in the middle.    
     
The 100cc non-gearbox class made a comeback into the Superkart ranks about 1990.  Initially promoted in NSW when they were reduced to one metropolitan sprint track to service 1200 karters, the idea came about to have another avenue of competition for those inclined to the long circuits. 

In 1994 the class achieved National Championship status and our own Kerryn Brewer, subsequently of  Castrol Cougar V8 Supercar fame, became the National Champion.   Not too bad a feat considering she only drove her first race ever in February of 1994, and then raced later that same year for the title against other drivers who had over 10 years karting experience !! 

This class has all but come to a stand-still in the last few years as the 125cc Rotax Max non-gearbox class has been introduced.   At its peak we were all excited to be a part of races like at Philip Island for the national championships one year when 57 of these screamers all raced together !! 

The 125cc Formula Rotax MAX class made it's debut worldwide in karting in only 1999,  and it entered Superkart competition in Australia in the year 2000. The 125 Rotax does not have a gearbox but utilises a centrifugal clutch and is water-cooled.  Top speed is around 170kph, and the rules restrict engine modifications and components to 'as standard', and the karts must use a controlled longer life tyre.  The technical regulations for the Rotax Max Superkart class are nearly the same as the AKA sprint kart class, with the option of fitting a more aerodynamic nose cone for better performance on the long circuit.

The class is new to Australia and growing rapidly, and has now become the largest Superkarting class available.  With over 3500 Rotax Max karts sold in Australia in 10 years, many drivers are now moving from the cut and thrust of sprint kart racing to the higher speeds and more subtle style of long circuit racing.

The non-gearbox Rotax Max class is the most affordable form of Superkarting.  In South Australia with so many drivers in this class we have split them into four divisions, lightweight Seniors division #1 and #2, heavyweight Seniors division #1 and #2, and juniors for 12 to 15 year olds. All of the classes provide heaps of fun and great racing for the young and not so young , and the reliability and minimal mechanical maintenance of the Rotax Max engine provides very low running costs.

 Used 125 Rotax Max karts start about $4,000 with complete new machines available at around $7,500.
How about maintenance on a 125 Max non-gearbox Superkart ??  Maintenance generally involves things like new  top-end piston/ring/bearings every 8 race meetings , costing about $450. You might want to replace your slick tyres around the same interval, at about $220 a set. Other than the odd oil change, new spark plugs now and then and a new chain after 3 - 4 meetings, that's generally about it.  Your annual racing budget may be $2,500 including fuel, tyres and race entry  -  to go incredibly  fast and have an enjoyable time doing it !!


Pictured on the left is 2002 GP Winner Brad Fox,  and on the right is a grid of Max powered karts .
See more about the engine here  ..  FR125MAX  ..

The 125cc gearbox class at various times in our history has been the largest of the gearbox classes in numbers of competitors.  Today this class primarily uses Honda RS125 engines with some Yamaha TZ125's.

Full aerodynamic bodywork including rear wings are used to achieve speeds of up to 190 kph , and these karts have compulsory dual circuit front and rear brakes which means on tighter circuits they can almost match the larger capacity classes on lap times.

The 125cc gearbox class appeals to those that want the performance of a proper GP type engine, with the lower maintenance requirements of a single cylinder engine.  Cost of a 125cc gearbox kart can vary from $5,000 to $8,000 for an early used kart to $20,000 and upward for a later model with a new engine. 

There are two 250cc gearbox classes.  The first is the National class for karts powered by single cylinder engines, generally Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki motocross type engines, with the recent inclusion of the European built Rotax.

This was the first class of gearbox kart ever raced,  with its beginnings in the 1960's and karts powered by Bultaco and Villiers engines.  Today with the full aerodynamic bodywork and dual circuit front and rear brakes these karts reach speed of up to 210 kph.

The cost for these karts vary between $8,000 for a used kart to $20,000 for new combinations.

The second of the 250cc gearbox classes is the International class.   Commonly referred to as the Formula 1 of Superkarts with the twin-cylinder engines coming from manufacturers like Rotax, Honda and Yamaha.  This class of Superkarts reach speeds of up to 280 kph and at many circuits are as fast as V8 touring cars and 500cc GP motorcycles. The power to weight ratio makes this class not only the fastest but the most high-tech with the use of carbon fibre bodywork, and computer controlled data acquisition systems.

The cost of a kart for this category varies from $10,000 to $15,000 for a complete used kart to in excess of $30,000 for a whole new outfit.  This is not a class for the faint of heart,  and requires a large effort to maintain the kart and to also prepare the driver for some sensational experiences.

This class of Superkart were seen on the streets of Adelaide during the years when the Australian F1 GP was run here. In the 1980's we had fields of  30 to 40 of these monsters racing regularly at club meetings , and over 60 at many major V8 rounds and other events. 

How about maintenance on a gearbox Superkart ??  Well because they are currently based on two-stroke technology the engines are incredibly simple. Maintenance generally involves things like new  top-end piston/ring/bearing every 3 - 4 race meetings (say $150-$200 per piston depending on the engine). You might want to replace your slicks after 2 race meetings, at around $400 a set. Other than the odd gearbox oil change and some reeds, that's generally about it. Try telling your mates your annual racing budget is between $5000-$7000 including fuel, tyres and race entry  -  to go as fast as any V8 Supercar in the paddock !!

So there you have it, a brief run down on what some of us like to get up to on weekends.

The Superkart race dates in South Australia for 2010, all at Mallala, are as follows ...............

Sunday February 21
Sunday April 11
Sunday June 20
Sunday July 18
Sunday August 15
Sunday September 26
Sunday November 7 - Australian Superkart Grand Prix and NGB 125cc National Championships

For a listing of all karting clubs in South Australia ...........  go here !!!!