Karting isn't just for the boys

On any Sunday across Australia across the world and on our TV screens we can find and watch many disciplines of motorsport. One thing you could almost bet your house on is they probably started out racing a go-kart.

Karting offers so much to so many, whether you want to pursue a career in motorsport, learn the basics of car control, learn the skills of race craft or just have fun blasting around on the weekend, how much time effort and money you want to spend is up to you.

Predominantly a male dominated sport this is rapidly changing and it’s now fairly common to see girls racing the boys in many of the karting classes.

To start out in karts you will need to be a min of 7yrs old, where you would start out in 80cc Cadet karts on a 900 mm long chassis. Upon age 9 you can then upgrade the motor to a 100cc Yamaha with a restrictor plate and continue with the same chassis. These 2 classes are what they call the learning classes. However they are very competitive classes reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h.

From age 12 up to 16 the category moves into the junior national class, this requires a bigger (junior) size kart using the same motor with the restrictor plate removed. This class has 2 weight limits to suit differing size drivers and you can enter either the light class or heavy class.

There are also various higher performing classes in the junior category such as Jmax, Junior Performance and Junior Clubman which require separate endorsements and higher performing engines however the traditional class is the junior national 100cc Yamaha class.

Moving into seniors from age 16 and over also requires different equipment.

 In seniors the goal posts widen and the power levels increase, so does the speed.

Your motor from juniors can be used in seniors in the senior national category, however the motors of choice in seniors are 125cc water-cooled motors on varying chassis and tyre grip. These karts are push button start and are referred to as touch and go or TAG.

Various classes also cater for different size weights to suit different size drivers; the differing weight classes are in place to make for fairer more even performing karts. Speeds in seniors with gearbox karts can reach 160+ km/h.

Although karting can and does become competitive amongst different drivers and teams, there is always a lot of advice , help,  friendship and support for each other at the circuit. Fellow competitors also have a great mutual respect for each other both on and off the track.

Karting can also be very rewarding, not only in results but also with the time spent together with family and friends. Many hours are spent travelling , racing etc which makes for a great family sport.

So if you’re looking for a great family fun sport that adds so much to your life, you can find more info on the Australian karting website at www.karting.net

Contributor:  Ashley Osborne