Kart Racing - The Family Experience
With strong organization at the Local, Regional, National and International levels, Kart Racing has become the fastest growing, most accessible motor sports in the world.
Drivers age seven to sixty-seven compete in a variety of classes arranged by age, weight and engine type. Class are specifically designed to keep the racing close, exciting, affordable and safe.
High profile events such as the Kitchener/Waterloo Oktoberfest Grand Prix are now televised and covered in magazines like Performance Racing news, Inside Track, National Kart News, World Karting News and Karter Magazine.
Each year hundreds of Karters vie for top honors in prestigious events such as Oktoberfest Grand Prix, Brian Steward Racing Series, The North American Championship and the World Finals in Europe. Since the mid-1950’s Kart Racing has seen steady development as a family-oriented sport. Today, karting is the undisputed first step to a professional racing career.
How Do I Get Started?
Phone an executive, club member or former racer and ask a lot of questions... We all want to help our sport grow. Check out some of the publications like National Kart News, Performance Racing News, and Inside Track. Volunteer to help out at a race day or practice day. You’ll probably find someone willing to let you try out their kart for a few laps...... Don't be shy We Want Racers!
How Much will it Cost?
As they say..How fast do you want to go? Used Honda kart setups can be found for $1200 - $2400. You will need an approved helmet, a neck collar and abrasion resistant clothing (denim, nylon, or leather). Race fees are normally about $50 and a set of tires about $200. In four cycle racing a set of tires would last a season. You will want a few different gears etc. So budget an extra $100 if you can and you’re racing! From there on in the sky’s the limit. Competitive Rotax two cycle racing is probably about twice as expensive, and when your ready you can move into six speed shifter karts costing a lot of $$$ and go very fast!
How Fast Do You Go?
Depending on the track and the gearing four cycle race at about 45 - 55 mph. The two cycle karts are faster at over 75 mph, and two cycle shifter karts top 100 mph.
Do I Need To Be A Mechanic?
No - But you’ll learn a lot about it. Kart racers are famous for helping each other out. The Honda motors will run for a season or more with minor maintenance and rebuild costs are nominal. ($100 - $300).
