Karting is a vast sport, with many adaptations on the main speed and thrills theme. Its so much more flexible than most other motor sports whilst still combining all the elements of professional racing. Karting has established itself as the first step on the ladder to motor racing success, and besides – its fun !!
It is at local kart club meetings where you will start your quest for motor sport fame. It is at these meetings you will excel if the speed, thrills, family fun and competition has enough to satisfy you.
Kart racing at club level is not all that expensive, certainly the cheapest of the many motorsports available.
Of course if you move up to championship level racing the costs will increase , but it is no more expensive than keeping a horse or trying to make the grade in any other mainstream sport where you need the latest and best equipment, coaching and lots of training and practise.
It is also the way to find out if you really do have the talent and determination to succeed in a motorsport career. There is far more to any major car racing team than just the drivers, and Karting can also give you an introduction to all the other areas of involvement for pit crews, mechanics, data engineers, promotions and a wide range of associated activities – but on a smaller and less stressful scale.
STEP 1 – JOIN A KART CLUB – In South Australia joining a KA club will give you access to that club’s circuit for practice, as well as allowing you to participate in any race event, as well as social events, working bees and other club activities.
STEP 2 – GET A KA LICENCE – Once you are a member of a KA club you will need a licence. The licence comes with a KA Karting Manual, which outlines all the rules, regulations and operations of Karting Australia. Your KA Licence also includes insurance while racing.
STEP 3 – GET A KART – The karting industry in Australia is always keen to assist newcomers in entering and enjoying the sport. The many kart shops will be able to assist you with not only purchasing a kart, but also helping you maintain it and acquire the necessary tools and equipment. Obviously here at Ian Williams Tuning we can offer you a full sales and service experience.
STEP 4 – GET YOUR SAFETY GEAR – Most kart shops will also offer a range of safety gear – that is, full face helmets, race suits, racing boots, gloves and other optional safety gear such as rib vests and neck braces.
STEP 5 – GET A BUDDY – Karting is a friendly, family-orientated sport and karters young and old are always happy to help out newcomers. Make sure you ask lots of questions of members of your kart club and local kart shop. It is often a good idea to plan your first trip to the kart track with your kart with someone you know so that they can help you with any questions you may have. Also, while at the circuit feel free to ask other competitors any questions. So often friends you make in Karting will be friends for life.
Cadet 9 (7 – 9 year olds)
The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance. Competitors use a Vortex Mini Rok 60cc engine
Approx. Power 6 hp | Top Speed 75 kph
Cadet 12 (10 – 12 year olds)
Using the same principal of the Cadet 9 class they use an unrestrited Vortex Mini Rok 60cc engine.
Approx. Power 9hp
Junior KA3 (12 – 15 years)
With two weight divisions this class allows close competitive racing in karts with restricted KA100 IAME Reedjet engines. They are fast enough to teach the basics of racecraft.
Approx. Power 15hp | Top speed 90 kph
Junior Max (13 – 15 years)
This is for the more experienced junior karters in Australia with all drivers using a ROTAX 125cc watercooled engine with clutch and onboard electric starter.
Approx. Power 18hp | Top speed 110 kph
SENIOR CLASSES
KA3 (15+ years)
Using the KA100 IAME Reedjet engine this class offers fast and competitive racing. This is split into weight divisions to allow smaller drivers to race against one another, and larger drivers to only race against like sized drivers.
Approx. Power 22 hp | Top speed 105 kph
Restricted 125 (15+ years)
This is where all new drivers in 125cc karts begin racing, and is designed to offer a newcomer to the sport an opportunity to purchase a water-cooled TAG engine that they can then use in a higher performance class when specific licence requirements have been met. This is split into weight divisions to allow smaller drivers to race against one another, and larger drivers to only race against like sized drivers. There is also an over 40 years ‘Masters’ division for those who qualify and wish to enjoy their competition outings against a more sedate group of drivers.
This class runs on a harder, longer life tyre than the ‘open’ 125 Tag classes.. You must hold a D or C grade licence to be eligible to compete and you must use a KA supplied exhaust restrictor. The appropriate restrictor must be used and is issued by the AKASA state secretary when purchasing a new license.
125cc TAG – Rotax, Leopard, etc (15+ years)
The 125 TAG classes cater for 125cc engines such as the Rotax MAX, Leopard, X30, Fireball and Galaxy engines. The engines used in these classes are watercooled and are fitted with an onboard starter and a clutch.
Approx. Power 30hp | Top Speed 125 kph
If you are considering karting as a sport and would like to know what is involved then this guide is designed to answer some of the questions.
Karting offers significant track time with practise available 7 days a week, and race meetings on average twice each month. It is a friendly atmosphere with both individuals and families involved, and has a well controlled racing environment. Some of our past drivers have progressed from karting to other forms of racing such as V8 Supercars, F1, GT Production, Formula Ford, V8 Utes and Saloon Cars etc. Karting introduces youngsters to a vast array of future career opportunities beyond just being a racing driver. Every driver requires an immense number of behind the scenes people to get them on track with amazing expertise in all sorts of diverse fields.
There are 2 ways to go bitumen karting in most states. There is the more commonly recognised organisation Karting Australia, where you are required to join a club to get a license to go practise or race. Their website is www.kartingsa.com.au. Then in SA there is the smaller sized KartsportSA which is a single club that offers race meetings all around SA. Their website is www.kartsportsa.com.au.
Talking about here in SA specifically, how are the two racing groups arranged. Under Karting Australia to drive a kart you are required to join a club, that can cost $300 annually, and buy a license, currently $430 annually. The plus to this is you will get access to practise at the track of the club you join almost any day of the week.
Under KartsportSA you simply purchase an annual licence for $140, and this allows you to race at any of their events as well as have access to practise at the Kartdrome at Mallala Motorsport Park. In the near future practise will also be available at The Bend Kartdrome at Tailem Bend. License application and race entry are done on their website, and there is no club membership fee.
Under both groups there is an entry fee payable to enter a race meeting, this varies depending on the size and stature of the event and the venue.
There are some further unique rules under Karting Australia. If a driver is under 18 their parent/guardian must also take out a Karting Australia Participants licence. To practise or enter a race meeting the Participant will have access to the drivers KA online portal and be able to place entries and make any enquiries regarding their driver.
To be able to practise on days other than race meetings at a KA track requires a Karting Activity Controller (KAC) to be present at the track. The KAC must firstly set up a practise event at the circuit and for the times of the activity. This is done online at least a day prior to the practise, and the driver must also enter this practise event, again online and once more if the driver is under 18 their Participant must do this. To gain a KAC licence the cost is $25 and the application and all of the training is completed online on the KA portal, and a SA Police Working with Children check is also required.
To begin racing under KA a cadet, 7 to 12 year old driver, must also do 8 hours of supervised practise first. The details on this aspect you can find in the KA manual online.
Specific to Karting Australia the following diagrams show the steps to get involved. Signing up an adult or a child under 18 require slightly different steps, so choose the one that suits your needs.
Calling or emailing a club directly will generally not get you anywhere, and probably just a bit frustrated. Everything is setup to be run through their online system and if that causes you any issues then we are glad to help you any day, just come into our shop and we can get you through it.
To begin go to the www.kartingsa.com.au website, select Licences and Entries and then run down to near the bottom of the page and select the Get Started red button.
On the following page you can create your profile in the KA online portal…. then pretty much follow their explanatory diagrams.
My suggestion for anyone joining a Karting Australia club for the first time, choose the one with its track nearest to your home. Which track does not matter to start off, so not driving an hour and a half to the furthest location will save some frustration. Over time you can choose a different club in subsequent years.
Transponders
An AMB transponder is required for all drivers when racing to be scored. Available from $158 for the latest model with 12 months subscription.
Available for online purchase from AMB Mylaps. Choose the kart transponder from http://www.mylaps.com/en/products
Officials.
Would you like to become a race meeting official rather than a competitor?
Motorsport requires officials in a wide range of disciplines and if you think you’d like to be a part of Karting in this way then please email your details to the AKA of SA.
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