The first step is to head to your nearest kart track and arrange a test drive with one of the dealers or teams. They will guide you in the right direction. Then once you are competitive and you feel ready for the next step, register for the championship by applying for your licence through MSA (MSA Online) and securing your race number by emailing allison@motorsport.co.za

If you want to compete in karting, go to some meetings and chat with the competitors. Most of them will be happy to talk but choose your moment; the waiting (holding) area pre-qualifying or pre-race is not the best timing to ask questions.

contact us at : wpmckarting@gmail.com

For Rotax national events you will need to apply for a WOMZA licence here 2022 WOMZA Competitor (Other) License (womzasa.co.za) and secure your race number here Book your race number for 2022 – Karting South Africa

Karts are small, purpose-built racing machines with rigid frames and no suspension. There are different Karts for different classes, so you need to choose your class first. Most karts are broadly similar, with the main differences being the size, engine, tyres and whether or not it has a gearbox.

When buying your first kart, consider looking at used equipment through private sales on Facebook Marketplace or from an authorised kart shop. If you choose to go new from the outset you will find offers on brand new karts from the below authorised chassis dealers.

If you’re buying a new kart you can’t really go wrong, however you need a slightly larger budget. To give you an idea, a new Bambino Kart will cost you around R 41 580 and a new MAX kart will cost around R161 000, complete and ready to race. A new DD2 should cost around the R 173 000 mark. Used karts start at about half the new price for something decent. If you are not sure at this stage consider hire kart racing.

You will need a basic tool box:

• Set spanners (an extra 10mm and 13mm are handy)
• Screw drivers
• Set allen keys
• Set T-bars (not necessary but handy)
• A spring puller
• Spark Plug Socket (21mm)
• Tape measure
• Straight edge (metal ruler)

….and some accessories:

• Kart trolley with wheels (see site sponsors shop)
• 20l Fuel Container
• Measuring beaker(see site sponsors shop)
• Trailer or bakkie or store your kart at your local circuit

You’ll need CIK compliant safety items such as helmet, race suit, gloves and boots. You would also be wise to buy a rib protector, which isn’t mandatory but will save you from some post-race aches and pains.

Equipment Pricing Guideline:

• A good quality crash helmet with visor (R 5095+)
• A karting race suit/overall (R 2600+)
• Boots which cover your ankles – Driving boots can be obtained from kart shops for around (R 1 100+), but boxing boots and basketball-style sneakers also work well. Look for something with a thin sole.
• Gloves which cover your wrists (R 500+)
• A 1.5kg dry powder fire extinguisher (You need this for scrutineering, attach it to your kart trolley)
• Neck brace – Optional (R 1100+)
• Rib-Protector – Optional – Compensates for badly fitting seats and bumpy tracks. (R 3195+)

You can probably get away with R 10 000 – R11 000 excluding helmet if you go for the budget options. Otherwise the sky is the limit.

You’ll need CIK compliant safety items such as helmet, race suit, gloves and boots. You would also be wise to buy a rib protector, which isn’t mandatory but will save you from some post-race aches and pains.

Equipment Pricing Guideline:

• A good quality crash helmet with visor (R 5095+)
• A karting race suit/overall (R 2600+)
• Boots which cover your ankles – Driving boots can be obtained from kart shops for around (R 1 100+), but boxing boots and basketball-style sneakers also work well. Look for something with a thin sole.
• Gloves which cover your wrists (R 500+)
• A 1.5kg dry powder fire extinguisher (You need this for scrutineering, attach it to your kart trolley)
• Neck brace – Optional (R 1100+)
• Rib-Protector – Optional – Compensates for badly fitting seats and bumpy tracks. (R 3195+)

You can probably get away with R 10 000 – R11 000 excluding helmet if you go for the budget options. Otherwise the sky is the limit.

Regulations for most classes can be found on the 2023 Regulations section of this website while region specific regulations can be found under the respective Club sections.

Standard Karting Regulations, Sporting Regulations and Technical Regulations for each region can be found here.

Specific event or Championship regulations are found in Supplementary Regulations (SRs) made available on the event page by the organiser for each event.

You also need to remember safety and etiquette. There will be faster guys on the track – They will come past you like you’re standing still. Don’t weave, stick to your line, drive smoothly, and they’ll be able to go around you. If you panic and do something totally unexpected it can result in an unnecessary (and possibly nasty) accident, which is not likely to endear you to your fellow racers (everyone can cite at least one “moron” who “almost got them killed”). If you know they are coming up on you, let them know on which side to pass you by pointing with your hand . They’ll appreciate this, and your courtesy will hopefully be remembered when you need some advice on setup etc.

Once you are driving smoothly (consistently, not necessarily fast)  it’s time to fiddle with your setup. Every chassis is different. Every track is different. Every day is different. Don’t be surprised when one person tells you to widen the rear track to increase grip and 30 seconds later another tells you the opposite … it’s all part of racing! If possible, have someone with more experience than yourself look at your kart on practise day. They should be able to get you in the ballpark with respect to sprocket size, track (tyre separation) and chassis torsion. The rest is then up to you.

Take your times for a few laps. Come in and change only one setting. Make the change quite large so the effect is easy to notice (eg. change your sprocket size by 2 teeth, move your rear tyres in/out by 20mm each, or tighten every adjustable bolt on your chassis). Go out again and take your times. Come in and compare times and make notes about how the kart feels (does it understeer/oversteer going into/out of a corner, does it bog down or over-rev, does it “hop” around corners, etc).   You may be going slower now, but knowing how the kart reacts to various changes is important for future adjustments when conditions are different. Try to figure out what settings work best for a particular track under given conditions (hot, cool, plenty grip, not enough grip). Remember: All the time concentrate on driving smoothly. You can’t be fast if you’re not smooth.

Once you are within 2-3 seconds of the midfield runners, you are probably ready to race.

A few lessons at a karting school is highly recommended!

NOW YOU ARE READY!