Kart racing schools are becoming the popular way to take up kart racing for all age groups. All the schools listed on this web site are members of the Association of Racing Kart Schools (ARKS) recognised by the Motor Sports Association. The organisation is responsible for the now mandatory ARKS tests and also administers Club Examiners. The test costs £81.50 including VAT if applicable, but not including any hire fee for a kart. You will find that all of these schools can offer a professional and high standard of tuition, whether you are a complete novice or an experienced driver wishing to improve. Many also run their own race teams, offering anything from complete arrive-and-drive to just supplying a mechanic to help you out.

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In January 2009, ARKS launched a voucher scheme to accompany the MSA's Lets Go Karting (www.letsgokarting.net).  ARKS will give every participant in Lets Go Karting during 2009 a £25 voucher to use at a ARKS School (within 3 months of issue), until £10,000 is spent.  Read more . . . . Graham Smith of ARKS is pictured with MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton, launching the scheme on the ABkC Stand.

In May 2007, ARKS launched their 50/50 Club and School Grant offer, making grants available to ARKS registered schools and clubs with active ARKS club examiners.  Organisations can write to the ARKS Admin Office, Stoneycroft, Godsons Lane, Napton, Southam CV47 8LX for an application form.  If approved funding could be up to 50% of the costs associated with a project to improve the profile and awareness of karting to the general public.

From 01/01/2009, the ARKS test fee will be £81.50 including VAT where applicable. This represents good value for receiving feedback on driving techniques, considering a novice driver will receive practical tuition and at least two sessions on a racing kart, but note that the use of the kart is not included. The test comprises both a written examination (or oral if necessary) through a multi-choice questionnaire, and a driving competency test. The fee does not include any hire fee for a kart, that would be extra, if you cannot use a kart of your own.  A prerequisite to taking the test is purchasing the Start Karting pack, including a video, from your ARKS School, or the MSA on telephone 01753 765000. It costs £44 postage may be extra. Anyone over 18, or with a medical condition, is required to have a medical examination with their GP before attending the test. The first licence costs £30 but is currently free for under 16's.  For more information check out www.startkarting.co.uk or www.abkc.org.uk where a list of kart clubs can be found.

From 1/1/2007 certain kart clubs may offer the new Kart Tyro class.  For this an MSA Clubman licence is required, which may be obtained by downloading a licence application form from www.msauk.org or it can be obtained on the day of the race.  Drivers will be observed during practice and if competent will be allowed to race.  Kart engines must not exceed 15bhp and drivers must be over 16 years of age.  An ARKS test is not required and only medical self-certification is needed, no medical test is required. And from 1.1.2008 this has been extended to junior drivers from 11 to 16, with karts not exceeding 10bhp.

Certain participating commercial circuits or series may offer the KCB ProRacer Card, which retails for £10.  Once a photograph of the driver has been affixed, the card may be used asst a record of races undertaken.  The Race Director or other authorised official at participating circuits will be able to sign the card to confirm the driver has competently raced.  Once eight signatures have been obtained, of which four must be for outdoor races, the driver may proceed towards an MSA Kart National B novice competition licence.  An MSA 'Start Karting' pack must be purchased and if over 18 years a medical must be taken.  The ARKS written test complete with briefing and showing of the video must be undertaken at an authorised centre but the driver test is waived.  The licence application form contained in the Start Karting pack must be completed by the driver before the test, and signed and stamped by the KCB/ARKS MSA licensed Examiner or Instructor.  The ProRacer card must be sent to the MSA with the licence application.  For more details on the Kart Control Board see www.kartcontrolboard.co.uk

ARKS, in conjunction with the ABkC, launched the 2003 Edition of the very successful 'How to Start Kart Racing' book, the most comprehensive guide to starting kart racing. It costs £12 from schools, Karting Magazine, Amazon (UK), good bookshops or direct from the publishers, TFM, on 01952 510061 or by credit card from Gazelle Book Services on 01524 68765, (£14 including P&P).  Further editions will not be published and so the book may be out of print now.

ARKS Admin Office: Tel: 01926 812177 or email:

 

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Registered office: 44/46 Orsett Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5ED, UK.
Photographs provided by & Copyright © Chris Walker