CIRCUIT INFORMATION
START KARTING

Do not go rushing off to buy the first Kart you see! Go to Kimbolton circuit and take a look at the classes that are racing. If you are big (greater than 6ft) and heavy (more than 13 stone) consider gearbox karts or one of the 'heavy' classes which some clubs offer, e.g. in Rotax Max..

Having viewed the options, and talked to drivers in the pits, decide upon which class is right for you. It is best to consider a well supported class so that no matter how fast or slow you may be there will always be someone to race with. Racing is all about mixing it with others. Small grids rarely give entertaining racing. Look in the magazines for local kart traders addresses, on the karting website (www.karting.co.uk) or in the small ads for used equipment.

Consider a kart racing course with a school which is approved as part of the ARKS test. Visit www.arks.co.uk for the Association of Racing Kart Schools site. A course will teach you more about the sport and the cost of racing in each class. You will also learn about driving technique and how to set up and maintain a kart and engine. It is ideal to attend a course before you make your final decision on which class to enter, and before making a purchase. The information that you will pick up in these areas will be invaluable.

Once you have decided to purchase or hire your kart some tools will be needed in order to maintain your kart correctly. Go practising several times before racing., particularly at the circuit you have chosen for your first race meeting. Then, unless you fall into one of the exemptions, you need to buy a 'Starting Karting' pack from an ARKS school or from the MSA, Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, Slough SL3 0HG (Tel:01753 681736). A licence application form is enclosed in the pack. If you are over 18 years old, you need to have the medical certificate on the licence form completed by your doctor. Then once you feel you have had enough practice, you need to book an ARKS driving test with one of the approved ARKS schools or a participating club. You must join a Kart Club. There are many clubs in the country. By joining an ABkC affiliated club you are then allowed to race at any ABkC club circuit, and participate in the ABkC national championships. If you are good enough to finish in the top fifteen (top nine in gearbox) you can use that seeded number for the next year. Some clubs have test days and offer special rates to members for these and race days. Apart from your kart you must have protective clothing which includes a crash helmet approved for racing, an approved racing suit, gloves and boots giving ankle protection.

After you have your competition licence you will need to compete satisfactorily in five races and gain upgrade signatures from the MSA Steward. During this time your kart will have to use black number plates, and start from the back of the heats unless there is timed practice. After that you may keep your National B licence or apply for a National A licence. If you keep your National B, you must bring the licence or licences that have your five signatures to prove you are no longer a novice.

Cadet

Boys and girls can start kart racing at the age of eight in Formula Cadet or Honda Cadet, although some tracks will allow youngsters to practice from the age of seven. Then they can continue until the end of the year of their twelfth birthday. The Formula Cadet uses a 60cc 2-stroke engine, whilst Honda Cadet uses a sealed Honda GX160 4-stroke engine. They are allowed to race together. Both have a centrifugal clutch and recoil starter cord and modifications are limited to keep costs down. Chassis makes are registered and they must not be modified. Prices of new equipment are controlled to an agreed maximum. Maximum speed is about 55mph. There is a series for the MSA British Championship run for Formula Cadet within the Stars of Tomorrow series. Like all the direct drive classes there is a right hand foot pedal for the accelerator and a left hand foot pedal for the brake.

4-stroke Classes
As well as Honda Cadet there are three further 4-stroke classes.

Apart from the budget 4-strokes there are several bespoke racing 4-stroke engines including a new TKM, the Ecomoto and a Biland. Not all clubs offer 4-stroke racing though, whilst some specialise in this aspect of karting.

TKM Junior 4 stroke
Offers the best of every world for junior drivers. A long life engine which is ultra easy to use with excellent performance quicker than the 2-stroke class and low in cost to run. It features an automatic clutch and electric starter to make it easy for everyone. A new development, leading the world. And you can uprate it to senior spec just be removing an air restrictor in seconds.

TKM Senior 4 stroke
Just like the Junior TKM 4-stroke class, long life, great perfomance, easy to use and fantastic value for money. Water cooled engine with automatic clutch, electric starter and great torque. Uses stickier tyres to give real stunning lap times.

More information from Tal-Ko Racing who make the engines at www.tal-ko.com

Or ring Tal-Ko Racing on 01767 682020 or fax 01767 691622

Formula TKM

Formula TKM can claim to be one of the U.K.’s most popular kart classes. There are three classes, Junior TKM for age eleven to sixteen, Junior Intermediate for the same age group but where the driver in full race kit must weigh a minimum of 62kg, and Senior TKM for those sixteen or over. As always, Juniors can move into seniors in the year of their sixteenth birthday. To make racing equal and keep costs down, all the categories use a Tal-Ko TKM BT-82 piston port 100cc engine to a strict non-tuning regime, but the Junior categories have a restrictor between the carburettor and engine to limit the power. Maintenance costs are reasonably low. As in all racing kart classes, the minimum all-up class weights in each class vary to cater for the different age and driver sizes. (Lead ballast is used to bring the weight up to the minimum weight if necessary.) Additionally only British made chassis that have been registered for the class are permitted, and maximum retail prices are set each year. Optional clutches are permitted, in which case a portable external electric starter is needed. Without this direct drive karts need to be pushed to start, initially with the rear wheels off the ground until enough speed is reached to start the engine. TKM is recommended for those starting 2-stroke karting, as it is raced at nearly every club. Top speeds are about 65 to 70 mph.

Junior Intercontinental A (JICA)

A CIK (European and world wide) class for 13 to 16 year olds. It uses a piston ported engine with a centrifugal clutch requiring an external electric starter, although some of the latest engines might have on-board starters. Mainly raced at British Championship level within the Super 1 Series, with some clubs also catering for this class. It uses relatively grippy tyres and provides a route for Juniors to partake in world level karting. The chassis must be CIK homologated which means all the parameters have been registered for use in a particular class. Not really a class for beginners!

Formula Libre

A class new for 2001, to use virtually any 100cc 2-stroke engine and chassis complying with the MSA regulations, and help to encourage bigger grids of these more powerful 2-strokes from Formula A, ICA or National. The Dunlop tyres used are a little bit cheaper than the other classes. The class is for seniors only and is only intended to run at club level. A good option to start in for those desiring of a faster 100cc kart. Not offered at all clubs though.

100 National

A class for seniors only, using rotary valve 100cc engines which were new designs up to the year 1998 and were homologated (approved and registered) with the CIK for use in Formula A. This class gives these engines an extended life, as new engine designs for 2001 come into Formula A. Water-cooled options make the karts much quieter and easier to pass the strict noise tests now in operation everywhere. Although still popular in the Super 1, not many clubs offer this class any more. Some clubs used to offer 100 National/165 for the heavier driver.

Intercontinental A (ICA)

A medium to high cost class for seniors using homologated makes of reed valve 100cc engines with internationally homologated chassis types and quite grippy tyres. The engines can rev up to 20,000rpm. This class is the principal stepping stone for seniors into the European CIK championships through regional qualifying events. The class is hotly contested at Super 1 championship level and it is not really a class to start in.

Formula A

The premier direct drive class for seniors, as shown on the front cover picture. It uses the latest 100cc engines and very grippy tyres, especially at European and World level. Primarily raced for the MSA British Kart Championship within the Super 1 Series. Like ICA and JICA, CIK homologated chassis must be used. It is not a class to start in. Top speeds can be over 80mph.

Rotax Max, Rotax Junior UK and MiniMax

The Rotax Max uses a racing pedigree 125cc 2-stroke direct drive engine with an onboard clutch and electric self-starter. The engine is quite powerful, although the maximum revs are limited, making the karts almost as fast as ICA or Formula A. The engines are much lower maintenance than the 100cc alternatives, and are sealed so that only approved dealers can service them, making sure no unapproved tuning is carried out. Rotax Max is the senior class, with Rotax Junior UK the junior equivalent for 13 to 16 year olds. The junior engine uses a less powerful cylinder and MiniMax is an even more restricted version for 11 to 16 year olds. Becoming very popular but careful consideration as to racing experience is needed before choosing these classes to start in. Rotax offer an all expenses paid World Final for selected senior drivers qualifying from their home championships.

Gearbox Classes
For drivers over 16 years on short circuits. For long circuits like Donington or Cadwell Park drivers can start so long as they are no longer a novice, and are over 16 years old in the 125 and 210 classes, and over 17 for the 250 classes. ABkC national short circuit championships are the Highlight Super 4 Series. Further details at www.super4.co.uk

Junior Gearbox 80

This class uses an 85cc TM or Honda 2-stroke engine with 6 gears and a clutch and is for 13 to 16 year olds, all other gearbox classes being for seniors over 16. With its four wheel braking, it offers juniors an experience close to a single seater race car or of course the senior gearbox categories. Raced within the Highlight Super 4 Series and Stars of Tomorrow championships but not at all clubs. A Challenge series visiting clubs on their normal race days is planned for 2003.

125 Europa

An economy 125cc gearbox class using a sealed standard 6-speed Gilera engine (B Class) or Motori-BAT (A Class) and approved makes of chassis (B Class) or Topkart (A Class). It is very quiet and reliable with a sealed engine that can only be serviced by approved dealers. Options include an on board electric starter. A good entry point for the gearbox classes, but not raced at all circuits. The popular Europa Challenge takes in selected rounds of the Super 4. Further details at www.super4.co.uk

Formula National 125

A medium cost class using registered 125cc water cooled reed valve 6-speed engines for seniors. Certain obsolescent air-cooled engines might also be used. This is a good entry point for the gearbox classes with good grids and plenty second hand equipment. The gearbox classes use either a hand clutch or a foot clutch just like a car. All use foot pedals for the throttle and brake. Further details at www.super4.co.uk For details on engine tuning information visit www.eurokart.co.uk

Formula 125 Open

The fastest 125cc gearbox class using CIK homologated (registered and approved) makes of reed or rotary valve 6-speed engines. The class is very similar to the internationally raced Formula C. Like most of the gearbox categories, there is a national ABkC championship in the Super 4 Series. A little more expensive than National 125, and speeds of 90mph (short circuit) and 115mph or more on the long circuit tracks are attained. Further details at www.super4.co.uk For details on engine tuning information visit www.eurokart.co.uk

Formula 210

A classic class using only the Villiers 197cc engine or clones. Administered by the drivers themselves through the 210 Challenge group. Further details from Kate Bateman on tel: 01527 870834 or from www.210challenge.com. The Challenge takes in selected Super 4 rounds.

Formula 250 National

A popular class, especially on short circuits, using registered motocross 5-speed 250cc single cylinder 2-stroke engines. Like all the 250’s the karts are often equipped with large full width nose cones and rear wings. The powerful 250’s can reach speeds of 100mph on short circuits, and over 140 mph on long circuits.

250 International

A very similar class to the CIK ICE class raced internationally. It uses a five or six speed mono cylinder registered engine, the most popular of which is the 6-speed Rotax 257, although 250 National engines under prescribed tuning rules are also permitted. No longer raced at short circuit. In long circuit this is the MSA British Championship class under CIK Superkart Division 2 rules..

Formula 250E

The fastest gearbox class with a powerful twin cylinder 250cc 2-stroke and six gears. Now two 125cc engines are allowed too, i.e. a twin engined kart. Capable of speeds up to 160mph at the fastest motor racing tracks. It is still raced for major championships in certain continental countries and again has a CIK European Championship, but now is generally a non-professional class in the UK administered by a development group to limit further costs.