Karting
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Introduction
Karting is where many F1 drivers start their careers, and also where businessmen let off steam, not to mention a whole range of drivers in-between.
The route to become a formula one star normally begins around the age of 8, so too late for most of us then! Let's assume you don't mind if your not an F1 star, in which case:
Why do Karting?
Well, you can't comment on anything until you've tried it. As small and meek the karting machines may look, this sport conceals hidden fun.
Because once you're kited up and behind the wheel, a world of close racing, competitiveness and speed is to be enjoyed.
Whatever speed you are actually going, it feels much faster when you're a few inches off the ground in a kart.
Karts are small and light, have big sticky tires which give them tremendously sensitive and direct handling. Note the difference between road cars and karts, immediately after driving a kart, your road car handles like a boat!
Circuits
There are many purpose built indoor and outdoor kart circuits, certain outdoor tracks hold national and international events in the karting calendar. So outdoor track speeds tend to be higher (50 - 90 mph).
Indoor circuits are normally smaller, often with more tight twists and turns, (40 mph). Many indoor circuits have business facilities to hold conferences / entertain clients etc which can be hired out. No licences are required to race at this level.
Hire karts are standard at nearly all circuits, some available everyday anytime (AKA "arrive and drive"), some only during specific periods, call your circuit for details.
Racing
After trying out karting with hire karts, some love it so much they buy their own. For owner-drivers there are loads of different race meetings to enter.
The race categories are classified in to narrow ranges based on age, experience or engine size. The more limited the range the better. For example 10 - 12 year-olds all racing 80cc karts will be very close.
The higher up the ranks you go, the more competitive it becomes, and associated with that - higher costs. At the very top level, F1 teams like Mclaren Mercedes sponsor a junior kart team, in exchange for a contract tying in the driver (most likely a future star) for several years in the future.
Summary of Karting
Electrifying feeling of speed.
Amazing handling.
Very Competitive.
Can be expensive if you race at top level.
8 year-olds can be faster than you!
Injuries can occur (but good circuits are medically prepared).
Try out a hire-kart race evening and see what you think.
If your going to buy a kart, consider which race category you will be competing in (age / experience / engine size).
Convince your company to entertain clients or staff at a karting event.
An "Arrive and Drive" event comprising of practice, qualifying and races, with all equipment provided, is likely to cost around �50.
To purchase a kart varies in price depending on the condition, and engine size, estimates of �600 - �5,000 and upwards.
Check Adrenaline-Sports.net resources below to find more detailed costs from businesses.
(Click to open in new window)
Karting.co.uk - Top UK karting resource with UK karting news, results, gallery, and directory of kart circuits in the UK. (info)
UK Motorsport - Huge, overwhelming page of UK karting Links.
eKarting News - US karting news site, still has useful technical information.
Related sports featured on Adrenaline-Sports.net include: Rally Driving, R/C Racing, and Minimoto.
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