Having said that, there is variation between different models and it’s essential you get the right kart if you want to take the chequered flag. A lot of this comes down to size, with most karting venues in the UK and Ireland operating at least two different sizes for adults and children, but that’s not the only consideration.
Junior Karts
When we say that karting is accessible, we mean it. Young speedsters with a burning desire to put pedal to the metal don’t have to wait long before they can do just that. Many karting tracks around the country have karts designed for children over the age of eight. Some tracks, like this one, have 120cc engine, others have 160cc engines, while there’s a track in Suffolk where kids can have a go in 200cc karts. These more powerful options often come with top-speed limiters to make sure that inexperienced drivers don’t bite off more than they can chew. This venue also has battery powered karts that are suitable for children as young as five!
Cadet Karts
The next size up is usually referred to as the cadet class. These begin to become an option for growing racers at around the age of twelve. The engine size might be similar to that found in the more powerful junior karts but, with bigger wheels, a longer wheelbase and other improvements, they feel like a big step up. You can find 160cc cadet karts at a number of British karting tracks, such as this one, while those wanting 200cc could try this one.
Adult Karts
Here we go then, the full size karts. When you hear the word kart, you probably think of kids in go-karts or Mario Kart - neither of which are very helpful points of reference for what’s in store for you on a karting track. Powerful and light, these karts can accelerate fast enough to knock your socks off. A lot of UK tracks, for example this one, have Sodi SR5 models with Honda engines, others like this one, have comparable TBKart models. Both have 270cc engines.
Twin Karts
If you’re under 16, you’re probably feeling a bit hard done by here. Why can’t you feel the power of a full-size kart? What if we told you that you can? That’s right, the answer is twin karts, with two seats! The driving seat will have to be occupied by an adult, but you’ll get your taste of speed in the passenger seat! Both side-by-side and tandem models can be found at tracks in the UK.
Petrol or electric?
We’ve used the volume of the engines (cc) in the descriptions to give you an idea of the kind of kick we’re talking about - but that only applies to petrol-engined karts. As you might have guessed, karting circuits aren’t isolated from trends in the wider world and many of them now use electric karts. These are fantastic machines. Apart from being environmentally friendly, they’re also quieter and don’t have gearboxes, meaning smooth acceleration. In addition, some fleets of electric karts come with innovative systems that allow race marshalls to cut or reduce the power on all the karts on a circuit at once in case of a safety incident. A lot of people might prefer the roaring response of a petrol engine to pressure on the pedal, but we believe that electric karts are the future.
Conclusion
So that’s our round-up of the different kinds of karts that you can drive on tracks around the UK and Ireland. We hope it helps you get the perfect fit. It’s important to bear in mind that the ages given above are just a guideline. Most karting venues will have minimum and maximum heights for each model of kart that they operate and these are more exact ways to pair a kart with its driver. If in doubt, get in touch before booking. Happy karting!
