If you’re looking for a new hobby, or your children need something exciting to keep them occupied and away from computer screens at least for a little while, why not consider karting? Getting into karting is not as difficult as it might sound, and in fact there is probably a track near to you right now – all you need to do is search it out.
If you like the idea of karting but don’t know where to start or what you should be doing, read on – we’ve got plenty of advice about this exhilarating motor sport.
For Children
Although karting is for everyone, adults and children alike, it is often the younger ones who express an interest first, and that’s great – it’s wonderful when children are able to find something that they want to know more about.
If that is the case for your children, take a look for some family track days. Many tracks offers these are perfect introductions to the sport of karting, offering something for every member of the family. For children who are shy or who like to have their parents close, this can be a good way to get them started in something. You can be there to guide them and cheer them on and be supportive, or even race them, and they will feel more confident about getting into a kart and driving it.
Remember that there will be age restrictions on certain types of karts and tracks, and it is a good idea to research your options thoroughly as you wouldn’t want to disappoint the kids by arriving and them not being able to join in.
The Safety Briefing
No matter what age someone is when they want to try karting, they will need to listen to the safety briefing. Although karting is fairly simple in terms of the mechanics, there is still a lot to think about, and plenty of dos and don’ts that they will need to know and understand.
This is the point where questions can be asked and any nervousness can be dealt with. You want to be able to enjoy your time on the track and in the kart, so it’s best to find out as much information as possible before you begin. Listen carefully so that you know exactly what to do.
Equipment
Unless you have been karting before and it is such an important hobby that you already have your own equipment, you will be provided with everything you need at the track. This includes a helmet and overalls – they will keep you safe should you have an accident, and will also keep your clothing clean (you are dealing with motors and engines, and they can be quite dirty at times).
Some tracks will require you to wear a balaclava as well, but it will depend on the health and safety policy of wherever it is you are racing. Plus you must remember to wear sensible shoes. If in doubt, call the centre before you arrive so that you know exactly what footwear can be worn. Although the rest of the equipment you need can be borrowed, it is unlikely that the track will have spare boots or trainers for you to use if you arrive in flip flops, for example. Think about what you would use to drive a normal car safely and this will give you a better idea of what you should have on your feet.
Watch Videos
Sometimes it can be useful to watch videos online of what karting is like before you go to your local track. You’ll gain a lot of insight this way, and you’ll be able to watch not only the racing but you’ll get to hear driver interviews too, and start to have a better understanding of just why people love this particular motorsport so much.
You might even pick up some tips about how to get round turns safely, and how to recover from a spin. All of this is useful and the more information you can gather the better.
Get Lessons
After your first time on the track you’ll know whether or not karting is for you. If it is, you’ll come back time and again, and after a number of fun days you might want to start taking things further (or your kids might if it is they who are interested). In that case, you can book lessons so that you not only get to race, but you understand exactly how to do it well.
Practise as much as possible in between lessons as well. Just as with anything in life, the more you practise the better you will be and the easier the learning will become.
Buy Your Own Equipment
Over time, if karting is something that you are definitely going to want to continue and do a lot of, and especially if you are thinking of entering into serious races, you will need your own equipment. To buy good equipment is not cheap, but it is worth spending extra in order to ensure your comfort and safety. An instant approval loan will help you get the best equipment you can. It is always worth paying more for this kind of safety equipment and feeling secure about it than buying something cheap and worrying that it won’t do the job it needs to do.
If you’re not sure what to buy, speak to someone at the track. They will be able to offer advice about what you need and the types and brands that are most highly regarded. These are the experts so you should definitely take their opinions seriously. It’s also best to buy from a shop if you can rather than ordering items online. This way you or your child can try everything on to ensure that it fits well and that it will suit your way of karting best.
Enter Races
Once you feel confident and you are ready you can enter races. Again, this will often cost a reasonable amount of money, and you might have to travel far to get to the track, so it should only be done when you are sure of your abilities. However, if you want to get further in karting, racing is definitely the way to do it.
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