Karting, “The purest form of motor sports” is a type of road racing with open or four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter-karts. Usually raced on minimized or full-size motorsport circuits, karting is a sport for all age groups, from young children to more seasoned competitors and even for the elderly. While many participate just for the excitement, others consider karting to be the stepping stone towards a professional racing career. Karting helps drivers to enhance their reflexes and hone their skills. Simplified karts, just four wheels and an engine, makes it easier for new drivers to understand their vehicles and optimize them for ultimate performance. Kart racing offers a fun and friendly atmosphere combined with amazing and exciting driving characteristics. The possibility for a young, talented driver to make this start to a racing career makes karting very popular all over the world.
The first ever motorized shifter-kart was built by Art Ingels and Lou Borelli in California, in 1956. They combined lawnmower engines with a chassis sitting a few inches from the ground. By 1970s modern kart designs were launched with engines at the side. Several regulatory bodies like The World Karting Association, International Karting Federation were introduced in the 1980s for officially recognizing karting as a competitive sport and by the 1990s karting became the first step for aspiring drivers.
Among the racing karts there are three specific types of karts to be used depending on the type of the track or the race. Sprint Karts are the most common ones in comparison to Enduro or Oval karts.
- Sprint Karts are frequently used because of their ability to go very fast and can be used on different types of tracks.
- Oval karts are used typically for oval tracks as their chassis are built for sharp right turns, only in one direction.
- Enduro karts are the fastest, averaging speeds over 140 kilometres per hour, allowing racers to lay down flat for achieving maximum aerodynamics.
Super Karting in Britain
Super-kart is a form of karting using vehicles having specifically built fully aerodynamic body kits but sized like a shifter-kart. Karting was first brought over to the UK in 1958 by American servicemen where the first ever events were unofficial races and demonstrations. By 1959, the Royal Automobile Club and Motor Sports Association officially recognized karting and the first race that was official was held in November of the same year at RAF Lakenheath. 1960 saw an explosion of activity related to karting, in the UK. Along with multiple races across the country, temporary circuits made of straw bales were laid out, events were held on grass tracks or concrete cycling tracks. This made the UK a hot bed for motorcycle-engine karts.
Super-karts make the racing experience all the more exciting as drivers feel like they are part of the vehicle. Conventionally the word super-kart means 250cc engine karts and is the fastest in kart racing. Their power units can be customized kart engines or motorcycle engines with sequential gear boxes, allowing them to reach speeds nearing 250 kilometres per hour. Super-karts are primarily optimized with bodywork, large sidepods and rear wings to get high speeds and immense cornering abilities. Due to their low centre of gravity and high power to weight ratio, these karts are generally responsive to small adjustments/tuning. Super karting is a deep, interesting and fun progression to a more dynamic and affordable form of motor sport for many car racers.
As super karting is more inclined towards the competitive side, The British Superkart Championship has different racing classes depending upon the types of vehicle customization.
- Division One, a premier class in long circuit racing, has karts with chassis offering full tune-up and set-up capabilities equivalent to a Formula One car. These karts can reach speeds of 230 kilometres per hour in seconds due to their 100bhp power units.
- F250 National kart uses a single 250cc motocross bike engine having 65bhp and can produce speeds nearing 210 kilometres per hour. These karts have aerodynamic kits and larger wings.
- The F450 National Class has vehicles similar to F250 but with larger engines shoe-horned onto the karts. These cars are perfect for tighter, sharper circuits because of their massive low-end torque and can speed up to 210 kilometres per hour.
- Formula 125 Open is the cheapest way to get into super karting. The small 125cc KZ engines produce about 50bhp of power and can reach speeds up to 190 kilometres per hour. Since there are no rear wings, the karts have slower cornering speeds with very less down force.
FAQs
Some of the most common questions related to the championship are answered here:
1.Can I enter a championship round as a guest if not registered for the same?
Guest drivers will only be considered when a Championship Class has less than 10 registrations for the first round. All other entries must be fully registered.
2. Do teams need insurance? If yes, why?
When professional teams attend an event, the venue becomes their commercial work area. Such operators working for money have certain responsibilities and are accountable for all activities within the premises. The teams must have required insurances for their registered business address.
3. What kind of tyres can I use?
According to the rules, all tyres for British Championship events must be bought from suppliers specified in Article 4.4.1 of the Championship Regulation.
4. Will there be fuel tests at the event?
Random samples will be taken and tested at the events as fuel testing equipment is available at championship venues.
5. What will be the event format?
There will be two qualifying sessions of 10 minutes each. After which three 12-minute races will be held.
