Australian Karting Association of South Australia

What is karting about ?
Karting is a vast sport, with many adaptations on the main speed and thrills theme. Its so much more flexible than most other motor sports whilst still combining all the elements of professional racing. Karting has already established itself as the first step on the ladder to motor racing success, and besides - its fun !!

It is at local kart club meetings where you will start your quest for motor sport fame. It is at these meetings you will excel if the speed, thrills, family fun and competition has enough to satisfy you. Sprint kart racing at kart club level is no more expensive than keeping a horse or trying to make the grade in any other mainstream sport where you need the latest and best equipment, coaching and lots of training and practise.

It is also the way to find out if you really do have the talent and determination to succeed in a motor sport career. There is far more to any major car racing team than just the drivers, and karting can also give you an introduction to all the other areas of involvement for pit crews, mechanics, data engineers, promotions and a wide range of associated activities - but on a smaller and less stressful scale.

Come and be a part of this sport, the future of motor sport.

STEP 1 - JOIN AN AKA CLUB
Joining an AKA club will give you access to that club’s circuit for practice, as well as allowing you to participate in any club championship, social events, working bees and other club activities.

STEP 2 - GET AN AKA LICENCE - once you are a member of an AKA club you will need an AKA licence. The licence comes with an AKA Karting Manual, which outlines all the rules, regulations and operations of the AKA. An AKA Licence also deals with insurance while racing.

STEP 3 - GET A KART - the karting industry in Australia is always keen to assist newcomers in entering and enjoying the sport. The many kart shops listed on the back of the 2008 SA state racing calendar will be able to assist you with not only purchasing a kart, but also helping you maintain it and acquire the necessary tools and equipment.

STEP 4 - GET YOUR SAFETY GEAR - most kart shops will also offer a range of safety gear – that is, full face helmets, race suits, racing boots, gloves and other optional safety gear such as padded rib vests and neck braces.

STEP 5 - GET A BUDDY - Karting is a friendly, family-orientated sport and karters young and old are always happy to help out newcomers. Make sure you ask lots of questions of members of your kart club and local kart shop. It is often a good idea to plan your first trip to the kart track with your kart with someone you know so that they can help you with any questions you may have. Also, while at the circuit feel free to ask other competitors any questions. So often friends you make in karting will be friends for life.

KARTING CLASSES

Midgets (7 – 10 years) The purpose of this class is to teach young people to drive karts of restricted performance at a limited cost. Competitors use a Comer S80 engine with a clutch or a Yamaha KT100J fitted with a restrictor plate. Approx. Power – 6hp

Rookies (10 – 13 years) Using the same principal of the Midgets class the Rookies use a Yamaha KT100J engine fitted with a restrictor plate. Approx. Power – 8hp

Junior National (12 – 16 years) With two weight divisions this class allows close competitive racing in karts with reliable Yamaha KT100J engines still fast enough to teach the basics of racecraft at a low cost. Approx. Power – 11hp

Junior Clubman (13 – 16 years) This class is for juniors making the step up from the National class, for more experienced drivers using faster Yamaha KT100S and ARC WC100 engines. Approx. Power – 16hp

Formula JMA (13 – 16 years) This is the newest class for the more experienced junior karters in Australia with all drivers using a ROTAX 125cc watercooled engine with clutch and onboard electric starter.

Senior National (16+ years) This class is very popular throughout Australia as a competitive club level class. The engine used is the reliable Yamaha KT100J which is the same as used in the Junior National class. This is split into two weight divisions for fairer competition and the karts race on long life Dunlop SL1 slick tyres. Approx. Power – 11hp

Senior Clubman (16+ years) Senior Clubman is the most popular class in Australia. Using the Yamaha KT100S engine, this class offers relatively low cost, yet fast and competitive racing. This is split into weight divisions to allow smaller drivers to race against one another, and larger drivers to only race against likesized drivers. There is also an ‘over 40 years’ division for those who qualify and wish to enjoy their competition outings against a more sedate group of drivers.The Clubman class uses a single brand and compound MG red tyre, with wet weather tyres also an option for inclement conditions. Approx. Power – 16hp

125cc TAG (Touch And Go - Formula Rotax, Leopard, Fireball etc) (16+ years)
A number of senior classes with an engine capacity of 125cc have recently been introduced to the Australian karting scene. The TAG classes cater for electric start engines such as the Rotax MAX, Leopard and Fireball engines. The engines used in these classes are watercooled and are fitted with a clutch. These classes represent the step between Clubman racing and international competition. Approx. Power – 28hp

AKA of SA 125 Categories ... a brief explanation.

Restricted 125 .. is where all new drivers in 125cc karts will begin racing.
Restricted 125 is a rule book class (Chapter 32) and is designed to offer a newcomer to the sport an opportunity to purchase a true TAG engine that they can then use in a higher performance when specific licence requirements have been met. They run on a MG red tyre and a Dunlop wet weather tyre. You must hold a D or C grade licence to be eligible to compete and you must use an AKA supplied exhaust restrictor. A and B grade licence holders are excluded from racing in this category. The appropriate restrictor must be used and is issued by the AKASA state secretary.

Sportsman SA 125
Sportsman SA 125 is a state based class and is designed primarily for club based events. They run on a MG red tyre and a Dunlop wet weather tyre. You must hold a B grade licence or higher to be eligible to compete and hence no restrictor.

Leopard Light/Heavy
Leopard light and heavy are rule book classes (Chapter 45) and are eligible for state and National Championships. They run on a MG Yellow tyre and a MG White wet weather tyre. You must hold a B grade licence or higher to be eligible to compete, and no restrictor.

Rotax Light/Heavy
Rotax light and heavy are rule book classes (Chapter 28) and are eligible for state and National Championships. They run on a Mojo tyre and a Dunlop wet weather tyre. You must hold a B grade licence or higher to be eligible to compete, and no restrictor.

Officials
Would you like to become a race meeting official rather than a competitor ??
Motorsport requires officials in a wide range of disciplines and if you think you'd like to be a part of karting in this way then please call ... email your details to the AKA of SA.

Changes to race dates or Supp Regs or any news from the state body, the AKA of SA , will be put on the Latest News page.    To see recent announcements ..... go there now

This site is here to keep the karters of South Australia informed, so blatant advertising pop-ups or the like will not be included - apart from this big thankyou to our photo sponsor Ash Bud.    Additional pictures can also be found at his website   ... snapshotsa.com

What does an AKA license cost - the following is a list of the 2008 fees

Renewals - all ages/classes $230 ( including a printed AKA manual )

New licenses
Senior / Junior ... $250
Senior 125 ...       $275 ( includes a restrictor )
Rookie ...            $275 ( includes a restrictor )
Midget with Yamaha motor ... $275 ( includes a restrictor )
Midget with Comer motor ...    $250
             All new licenses include a printed AKA manual.

All email enquiries to our AKA of SA State secretary here .........