things you need to know

In most cases, yes! Most of the clubs around NZ run regular ‘Have a Go” days where you can come along and try out a real racing kart. You’ll be provided with all the safety gear, instructions on what to do and then you’ll get out on the track to burn some rubber!

The cost generally ranges from $50 - $150 and normally includes at least a couple of sessions on track.

To enquire about having a go at your local club, head on over to our Have a Go page

Firstly, this will be determined by age. Junior classes (under 16) are quite prescriptive while senior classes (15+) have a wide range of classes available. We’ve listed the main classes that people start in here, but there are more classes available depending on your appetite for speed, costs and competitiveness. First, check out the Age Group page which shows all the classes.

Once you’ve figured out which class to start in, the next step is to purchase kart.
The kart must conform to all of the required specifications and rules. If buying new, the kart will not come with an engine and this will need to be purchased separately. Buying second hand can be cheaper and the kart may come with an engine, but again it is essential to ensure that both the kart and engine meet the rules and specifications for the particular class. If in doubt, ask someone from your local club or kart shop!

There are a number of excellent kart shops throughout the country and there a some great buy/sell groups on Facebook where you can find all sorts of second hand gear.

The best advice about buying a kart can be obtained from the karters themselves and these people will always go out of their way to assist and offer advice to new people in the sport.

The best way to meet these people is to go to your local club day and talk to the people there and look at the various karts being used.

The setup and ongoing costs depend on many things but suffice to say that karting is a cheap form of motorsport, but not a cheap sport.
An indication of what things you need to spend money on and an approximate guide to what they may cost:

1. Club membership: Approx $100 per year depending on the club.

2. KartSport NZ racing licence: $214 per year (or get a practice licence for $30 per year when starting out).

3. Helmet, race suit, gloves: $500 - $2000+. There are plenty of second hand options.

4. Kart + engine package: $3000 - $7000 second hand or $10,000 - $15,000 brand new.

5. Trailer, tools, kart trolley and related accessories: $1500 - $10,000+. This is very dependent on what you want to buy or what you may already have.

6. Tyres: Approx $300 for a set of dry weather tyres (dependent on class). Tyres can last between 1 race meeting to several race meetings + practice days, depending on how thrifty you are and how competitive you want to be!

7. Fuel and oil: Karts don’t use a lot of fuel so this cost is fairly negligible in the scheme of things, but you will need to use 2 stroke racing oil for all but the Briggs 4 Stroke class. A litre of 2 stroke oil is generally around $35 and will last at least a couple of club days.

8. Race entry fees: Club day entry fees vary by club but are generally around $50.

9. Practice fees: Varies by club but normally around $10 per practice day.

Once you’ve purchased a kart and you want to practice or race at your local club, you will need to become a member of that club to use the facilities.

Most clubs offer various classes of membership such as single racing, family, junior and social. Membership rates for each type vary as do rates from club to club so for full details you should contact your local club directly.

Membership is usually on an annual basis and entitles you to use the clubs facilities, attend practice days and race meetings.

A competitor must hold a KartSport New Zealand Competition Licence before taking part in any competition or practice event. There are three types of licence available. 

Practice Licence
A practice licence may be obtained for those who are not yet ready to race, but want to practice at their local club facility on dedicated practice days. An applicant must complete the appropriate application form and medical declaration and become a financial member of an affiliated Club

One Day Competition Licence
One day licences are available only at club days at permanent sprint tracks and SuperKart club events for any driver who does not hold a current KartSport New Zealand full licence. Only 5 one day licences may be issued per person per year and are purchased directly from the promoting Club. The one day licence enables a new competitor to compete for a day at a Club without having to obtain a full KartSport New Zealand competition licence. Clubs have timing transponders for hire.

Cost: varies depending on the club.

Full Competition Licence
This is only available from the KartSport New Zealand Competition Licence Secretary on application. An applicant must complete the appropriate application form and medical declaration and become a financial member of an affiliated Club. For an applicant under 18 years of age a birth certificate is also required. The completed application forms, proof of Club membership and licence fee must be sent to the Competition Licence Secretary who will process the application and issue the licence.

Each Competition Licence applicant needs to either hire a TranX160 or purchase a X2/TR2 timing transponder from KartSport New Zealand at the time of applying for a Competition Licence.

In most cases - Yes!

For most practice activity a Practice Licence is required.

An exception can be formal club Have A Go days under the control of affiliated clubs or authorised members of the karting trade where the appropriate Have A Go indemnity has been completed by the driver/guardian.