Getting Started in Karting

[currington]

I am sure this has been posted many many times before but,

I want to start kart racing but would like some advice as to where to start, for instance;

1. What Kart to buy
2. What to look out for
3. What Class to race in
4. What kind of costs are involved
5. What other equipment do I need
6. What training will I have to take

I am aged 26 and live about 5 miles from castle coombe but I would like to race at circuits othen than coombe.

You help/Advice will be greatfully received

[racingdick]

best thing you do is to visit a few races

i think clay pigeon is near

try
http://www.karting.co.uk/

[KartingFun]

Check out Hullavington (otherise known as 2 Counties) its near to Chippenham.

As for your other answers, my advise would be as follows.

Find out when the club meetings are at Hullavington, Clay Pigeon and Forest Edge are. They are probably your nearest although you also have Rissington near Gloucester and Shennington near Banbury and Wilton Mill near Daventry.
Go to them and take a look at all the classes and see which ones appeal to you before you think about costs

If you are only interested in gearbox karts, dont bother with Clay or Hullavington but dont forget that you can run short or long circuit gearbox karts and there is a round of the long circuit champs at Castle Coombe this year

Take your time deciding and make sure that any kart/engine you buy has a class that you can race it in at the circuits you want to race at.

Other costs, Starter Pack (licence application) about £40, licence applicatrion itself, £20, medical - up to £50 and ARKS test to get your licence - £60 rough prices

Helmet - from £85 but spend as much as you can afford and never buy second hand. Do not buy until you have checked your blue book (comes with the starter pack) as they have to be certain standards

Boots - from £15, check out eBay for kart boot bargains
Gloves - from £15, OMP's from Grand Prix Racewear or eBay as above
Suit - New from £100 or cheaper second hand from eBay or other outlets. Ensure it has a CIK approval on it

Finally, do not be tempted by equipment just because it "has won the so and so Club Championship". Although it can be good kit, it's usual that it's won stuff because the driver is good. Dont be tempted to pay over the odds for this kind of stuff.

Hope that helps

[yelodwg]

All good advice! When I first started, I went to a kart driving school. Best thing I did! Even though I live in the US, I assume you have plenty of schools to choose from over there.

You can also check out our site for a huge list of kart chassis to choose from, including many from the UK. But I wouldn't go out right off the bat and buy something, I would follow the advice already given.

Here is another good article, written in the US, but definitely not just for the US:
http://www.msquaredkarting.com/main/...ng_a_kart.html

Good luck, you're going to have LOTS of fun

Tom Stephens
www.kartfinder.com