KARTING INTRODUCTION FOR ROOKIES.

This chapter is intended to provide some general information to those who are about to start karting for the first time (rookies), and also the moms and dads.  Whether one starts karting because it was a desire of the child, his/her buddy who is already karting, the mom or dad has an interest, etc., is really immaterial.  Just be aware upfront that to be successful takes a lot of commitment and hard work (and money).  Some of the content that follows is specifically centred on karting in the Western Cape, but the general principles would still apply for other regions.  Karting in Cape Town is controlled by the Western Province Motor Club (WPMC) and its Karting section, both located at the Killarney Racetrack. ANGRi Racing will guide you all the way and not let you make expensive mistakes or be at the mercy of salesman bias, but the following will be some very useful reading.


Getting started

The rules governing karting are issued by Motorsport South Africa (MSA).  Before going onto the track is contemplated, one needs to register with the Club, and sign off on the Club’s Indemnity form.  No partaking in a race is allowed unless the following has been complied with.

  • Get yourself on the Karting Intro course at ANGRiRacing to start getting up to speed and learn the essentials of becoming a Champion on the circuits of South Africa.

  • You have applied to MSA for your license to partake in karting. You can now apply online HERE

  • You have applied for your race number using the Form HERE

  • MSA will then require you to write a test on the various flags used by the Marshalls whilst racing and the message that each is intended to convey.

  • You have joined the Main Club via the Karting section and paid the required fees.

  • After you have passed the test on the flags, you may obtain a MSA kart racing licence for the year.  This can be done via an on-line system that MSA has in place and you will be given a link by them once the flag test has been successfully completed.

  • Make sure you know the ‘Must-Know’Driving Rules. You can see them HERE

Classes of karts

The class that one is allowed to compete in is determined by the driver’s age.  Generally, the rules allow for one to be able to compete from the beginning of the year in which ones birthday occurs in the 3rd column until the end of the year in which ones birthday appears in the 4th column of the table below. (2023 UPDATE: Clubmans can be run from the year of your 12th Birthday).

Karting rules

You wouldn’t dream of playing rugby, cricket or any other sport unless you had a fairly good understanding of the rules of the game, so why should karting be any different?  To add to the reasons why you should know the rules before going out on track, let’s not lose sight of the fact that karting is an inherently dangerous motorsport activity, and this can be made even more so if one does not play by the rules.

The rules governing karting are issued by MSA and other bodies such as your Club and Regional or Provincial specific rules may also apply.  The most important of these are the Karting Rules issued by the MSA, General Competition Rules (GCR’s) for motorsport, the Standing Supplementary Rules (SSR’s) for karting, the Supplementary Rules (SR’s) for the event, rules that are specific to the Province one resides in, and rules that are specific to the class of kart you are using.  The MSA Regional and National regulations and circulars are freely available on their website, but it is suggested that you get some assistance with this so that the appropriate documentation is downloaded and understood. From 2023, both Rotax and Rok karting falls under MSA regulations.

Make sure you know the ‘Must-Know’Driving Rules. You can see them HERE

Training for rookies

Understanding the rules and other bits and pieces takes some digesting, so it is highly recommended that the would-be karter undergoes a number of training sessions by a qualified ANGRi Racing Karting Instructor who can explain the basics in an orderly fashion without going into information overload.

Sessions would typically touch base on some of the aspects below, which is not to say that they would be handled in that order, or that the list is comprehensive in all respects.

  • Apparel.  How to don the safety apparel correctly, taking care of the equipment, replacing worn out equipment, etc.

  • Rookie X.  Any would-be karter is obliged to wear a contrasting coloured ‘X’ taped to the rear of their helmet to indicate they are a novice or rookie to other drivers, and for at least the    first four races of their career.

  • Flags.  Meaning of the various flags used on circuit so that the driver reacts appropriately when they are used by the Marshals.

  • Lines.  When you aren't driving a straight line i.e. zig-zagging, you might well be blocking the driver behind, and that is against the rules…. it’s also not very fast!

  • Looking around.  Often a rookie driver will steer in the direction they look and if another kart pulls up alongside, the rookie could inadvertently steer in that direction resulting in a collision.

  • Bumping or pushing.  No bumping or pushing is allowed in open wheel racing.  There is often casual contact, but intentional contact is not allowed as it is usually a precursor to an accident waiting to happen.

  • Overtaking in corners.  Experience and good judgment will help the seasoned karter avoid trouble with another Competitor in a corner.  For the beginner, they should understand that unless they are clearly alongside or ahead of the person they are trying to overtake, they should concede the corner to the other driver.

  • Payback.  Human nature wants you to ‘get even’ when you have been wronged.  Don’t do this on the race track because it can get ugly and the next thing you know someone ends up being pushed off the circuit and possibly hurt in the process.

  • Race day.  A run-down of what to expect before and on race day such as completing the entry form and indemnity, kart and equipment scrutiny, how to signal when leaving the track, the weighing process, and times to arrive on the pre-start grid.

  • Kart preparation and setup.  This can be a daunting task if you have no prior knowledge of setting up a kart and don’t intend making use of someone who has knowledge of this.  However, an illustrated document that addresses the basic theory of kart setup is freely available from our website.

  • Scrutineering.  What to expect and how to prepare for this, is covered in a document that is covered in a later chapter.

  • Grid position.  How this is arrived at and how it is applied after qualification to the subsequent heats on race day.

  • Transponder.  Timing of laps is done by means of a transponder fitted to the kart, and these can be hired for the race day from the Timekeepers, or bought outright by the karter.

  • Actual start.  This would cover aspects such as bunching up near the end of the warm-up lap without bumping, how to approach the start line, the starting lights, premature crossing of the tramlines painted on the track, what false starts are and how they are handled.

  • Racecraft.  This is the art of becoming a Champion. Being able to put in a fast practice lap is very different from doing teh same whilst 30 karts are trying to beat you! Your ability to master your craft and get to the top step of the podium comes with expert training and tuition and a lot of hard work.

A wide variety of other general aspects such as how to mix fuel, revving of motors in certain areas, driving the kart over the scale, parking of vehicles in the pit area, playing in the pit area, etc. can also be covered by our Instructors if requested to do so.  More advanced training within the ANGRi Racing Academy can also be considered once the karter has reached a level of proficiency that would warrant this.

Bambino class

This is where it all starts, and this class caters for the youngest of the age groups i.e. from the year one turns 5-years old.  Kids at this age are fearless competitors, and with only a little training are soon mixing it up with their more seasoned rivals who could be up to 9-years old.  The chassis for this class has a 77cm wheelbase which can cater for a wide range of driver heights with only minor mods such as pedal extensions.  For the last number of years the engine has been the 50cc Comer pull-start, but 2022 saw the introduction of the upgraded C52 version that has an extra 2cc of capacity.

Clubman’s class

This class deserves a special mention.  The objective of this class, which is only run as a Regional event by WPMC at each kart meeting, is to allow competitors 12 years of age and older to compete on a budget.  It therefore has a set of rules that allow a fair degree of latitude in order to keep the running costs to a minimum.  Essentially they are as follows but always check the latest regulations.

  • The chassis used must be one previously or currently homologated via MSA / CIK .

  • Any 125cc fixed gear (Rotax or Rok) engine, previously homologated by MSA and classified as either a Junior or Senior engine may be used.

  • There will be a minimum weight restriction imposed for the following THREE (3) scenarios:

    1. Should a competitor use a Junior engine; the minimum weight will be 158 kgs

    2. Should a competitor use a Senior engine, the minimum weight will be 175 kg

    3. Should a DVS engine be used minimum weight will be 190Kg

  • The choice of tyres allowed are Mojo D2, D3, D5, Bridgestone YLR, LeVanto KRT or VEGA XH3.

  • To meet the minimum weight requirement, the kart is not allowed to carry more than 25kg of ballast.

  • Unlike other classes where the rules for any particular event specify that fuel must be bought from a certain petrol station (the pump number is also usually specified), and the oil type is laid down for the class in question, the Clubman’s class competitors are free to use any fuel and oil of their choice.

  • Clubman’s will have Break-Out Time of 42.500 for Gold Cup and 44 seconds for Silver Cup. A competitor who records a lap time faster than the class break-out time in the qualifying session of an event will receive a five (5) place grid penalty for race 1.

  • Should a “breakout” occur in a race the competitor will receive a five (5) position penalty for that race and then start their next race from the back of the grid. Should a Silver Cup competitor break out of the 44 sec cap, then they would automatically be placed in Gold Cup from their next race meeting and remain there for the remainder of the current season.

  • Because older chassis are allowed (some of which employed fixed nose cones rather than the current version that can dislodge), the mandatory 5-second nose cone penalty does not apply to this class.

  • You are not allowed to use any timing devices during qualifying or racing!

During any karting event, the Scrutineers and Technical Consultant conduct numerous technical checks on the competing karts to ensure that everyone abides by the rules and that there is a level playing field for those participating.  These are not usually applied to the Clubman’s class except of course in the case of the kart not being in a condition fit enough to safely compete.  Any technical checks done by the Officials on this class are usually as a result of prior consultation between the competitors themselves. 

Buying of equipment

Whether you start with new or used equipment will impact a lot on the amount you spend.  The majority of karters start off with second-hand equipment, and usually one can find a kart complete with an engine ready to go, fairly easily.  However, a word of advice for those brand new to karting.  A kart is probably something that (despite the little man inside your head saying otherwise) you have no knowledge of whatsoever, so some good advice from your friends at ANGRiRacing to steer you in the right direction won’t go amiss.  Additionally, there are also other items that need to be bought viz. a stand for the kart, safety equipment such as racing overalls, gloves, boots, neck brace and helmet, and a fire extinguisher.

Be sure to chat to the team at ANGRiRacing (located at Killarney close to the go-kart track) before you leap into the deep end on both a kart and the safety equipment.  Visual inspection of a kart can reveal many potential problems, but unless the chassis has been measured up, and other checks conducted on the karts history, whether it conforms to the relevant current specifications, etc., you are essentially buying blind and could well have wasted some hard earned cash.  This applies to wearing apparel as well.

For mixing fuel you'll also need a 25 litre plastic can for purchasing the fuel, the correct brand of 2-stroke oil for the kart class, a 250 millilitre measuring cylinder (calibrated at 10 or 20 millilitre intervals) and a 5 litre (calibrated at 50 or 100 millilitre intervals) plastic mixing jug.  You should also have a small toolbox for hand tools such as a socket set, plug spanner, ring and open jaw spanners, side cutters, pliers, Allen keys, a selection of screwdrivers, duct tape, plastic cable ties, cleaning rags, etc.

Kart storage and pits

Karts can be brought to the track on race and practice days using your vehicle (if large enough), or by towing a trailer that has been kitted out for this.  There is however another option that could be considered viz. storage at the track, and this can be arranged through ANGRiRacing for a monthly fee.  One can also go onto a waiting list for a lockup pit, and if one becomes available there is an annual fee levied by the Club for this.

Officials

On race day, the karter will deal with a number of Officials.  These will include the Race Secretary for completing the necessary paperwork, the Scrutineers who will check over the kart and race kit, the Scale Attendant who will oversee the weighing of the kart plus driver, the Clerk of the Course who will conduct the drivers briefing (and hopefully not be imposing a penalty for an infringement), the Grid Marshal who forms the drivers up on the pre-start grid, the Flag Marshals who provide information via flags whilst on the track, etc.  These folks pitch up to race meetings because they love the sport, and not because of any other reason, so treat them with some consideration.  It is in everyone’s interest to be helpful and considerate to one another so that it can be a pleasant day for all concerned.

 

Emile McGregor - MSA Technical Consultant