How To Get Into Karting
Sydney Illawarra Kart Club is for people who race (usually) their own karts. This isn’t a hire kart service. If you want to race hire karts try https://easterncreekkarts.com.au/ or google hire karts in your local area. We say ‘usually’ own their own karts because some teams offer ‘arrive and drive’ packages, but only for drivers who have their own license with Karting NSW.
If you’re looking at getting started in karting, see below the options for Come and Try and then the subsequent steps. We recommend that people have multiple sessions in hire karts before trying this.
Some hire karts centres even run their own race series, something else to consider trying out before dropping thousands of dollars on a kart, engine, safety gear etc etc.
How Do I Get Started in Karting?
Short Answer
- Go and try hire karts.
- Come to a race meet and watch.
- Attend a Come and Try session.
- Buy a go kart, tools and safety gear..
- Join a club and get your practise license
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Complete your OLT (Observed license test – both driving and written)
Start racing!!
Long Answer
1. Go and try a hire kart to see if you like driving a gokart. This is the cheapest introduction into go kart racing. Check out https://easterncreekkarts.com.au or google hire karts in your local area. Some kart tracks even have local race series!
2. Come to a local race and see what the sport is all about. Contact the club via info@sikc.com.au and we’ll do our best to organise a bit of a tour of a race day, hang out with a race team, sit in a racing kart etc etc . Please be aware that we’re all volunteers and most of us are racing, looking after our kids who are racing or working as officials, but we’ll do our best to give you a proper race day experience.
3. Attend a Karting NSW Come and Try day – you’ll get to drive a real racing kart and learn the some of the basics. Register your interest for Kart Start here and check out the calendar on that page for upcoming dates and locations. Other teams such as Elite Driver Academy and Velocity Kart Shop also run Come and Try sessions which you can book with them privately.
4. Now that karting is in your veins and you know that you want to race, either buy your own equipment or look at arrive and drive packages with teams such as Elite Driver Academy, Platinum Motorsports and Velocity Kart Shop . Get into a number of the Australian Karting Groups on Facebook (including those on marketplace) and ask questions. Everyone started out somewhere and you’ll find out how incredibly supportive and helpful the community can be. Obviously it’s buyer beware when getting second hand equipment. Also see our link for karting teams as many of them supply new and used karts. We also recommend that you buy a helmet brand new!
5. You need to join a kart club and purchase a practice or racing licence. Set up your account (as a parent first) via the Karting NSW Portal . You’ll need to know some of the rules, so check out the rule book on the Karting NSW Website to obtain the drivers license (as well as the Pit Crew and Guardian’s Licenses, these two are free).
6. Start practising. See the FAQ question below on how to book practise.
7. Enter your first race, on the Saturday immediately before the race, you’ll do complete your Observed License Test or OLT. It comprises of both a written and driving test, in confirm you are ready to race. This only needs to be passed once, and then you can drive at any of our Karting NSW tracks!
Common Questions
I just want to practice?
In order to practise, you need to be a member of a club with Karting NSW and have a practise license. You can do this by heading to the Karting NSW Portal at https://portal.kartingnsw.com.au/. When selecting a club, consider where you are going to practise the most (as most clubs offer discounted practise fees to members). You can be a member of multiple clubs. You’ll need to be aware of some of the rules to obtain your license so be sure and review the rulebook on the Karting NSW website.
How do I book a practice session?
Once you have your practise license (parents will also need pit crew and guardian licenses which are free), you can register for each practise session via the Karting NSW Portal at https://portal.kartingnsw.com.au/ – choose Eastern Creek Karting is booking there. When you arrive at the track, please head to the hire kart track facility to obtain your wrist band (for drivers and pit crew). You are then free to go down an set up your pit space. Please remember, especially on weekends no cars are to be left at the canteen level, please move them up the top so we can get more people at that level immediately above the grid.
How do practice days run?
Practise days are usually supervised by the staff at Eastern Creek Karts. Under 6s must run as their own group. Novices (7-9) and Rookies (10-12) can run together and may be separated depending on numbers and difference in speed. Both Juniors classes (Heavy and Light 13-15 years olds) usually run together, but again may be separated on the day. Senior classes (16+) will sometimes run as one group, but also may be separated based on numbers and types of karts.
How do I pay my membership?
Click on the link below and follow the prompts
All memberships and licenses are now processed via the KNSW portal – (parent/guardian licenses are free). Please note that Associate Membership is reserved for officials only.
Remember the family membership is for a family of up to five, however only those over 18 have the right to vote on club matters.
If you are already registered with Karting NSW and have an account, just proceed to the Portal at https://portal.kartingnsw.com.au/ and apply for a membership at SIKC. These memberships need to be manually approved and can take up to 48 hours, so please don’t arrive at the track and then decide to sign up.
How do I do my OLT?
Once you have joined the Sydney Illawarra Kart Club and purchased your competition license through the portal https://portal.kartingnsw.com.au/ simply email us and let us know and we will organise your OLT on the Saturday morning immediately prior to a Sunday race meeting. For two day events we rarely run OLT’s on the Saturday (often because first time drivers are ineligible to enter).
The driver test comprises written questionnaire, some instruction and on track assessment, where you need to display your understanding of the flags, obey direction of officials, kart control and attain a time 110% of an average time for the class you will be entering.
I want to race
Sydney Illawarra Kart Club is a Karting NSW affiliated club therefore you must obtain an KNSW Race Licence to be able to race with the club. You don’t have to be a member of our club, but you need to be a member of at least one Karting NSW Club.
Before you can race you must complete your OLT – Observed License Test – see above for more details and how to book. You only need to pass your OLT once and then you are able to race at all Karting NSW Clubs while your license is still valid.
Do I have to join a club?
Yes, to hold an KNSW Licence you must be a member of an KNSW affiliated club.
