The following information is a brief introduction into the world of go-karting. Go-Karting is a sport that suits a wide variety of people ranging from people who are looking for a way to relieve work day stress or for those looking for competition with a high competitive nature. To assist you in your decision making process we recommend that you visit a race meeting. This will help you decide which class best suits your budget and interests. It will also enable you to talk to current competitors who will also be able to offer you some advice.

Information is available in this section on:

• Bitumen Classes
• Setup Costs
• Running Costs
• Go Kart Clubs
• K.A. Licenses

Bitumen Classes

6-9 Years Old

• Drivers who are aged 6 to 7 are only permitted to practice at club level
• Drivers who are aged 7 to their 10th birthday may compete in either Cadet 9 or Cadet 4SS

Cadet 9

Kart

• Open to any brand of chassis
• Controlled tyres
  • Dry Maxxis Cadet KA ($255.00 per set 4) Dec22
  • Wet Maxxis Cadet KA ($264.00 per set 4) Dec22
• 900-950mm Wheelbase chassis
• 30mm Axle for club level racing
• Class Weight 100kg with Vortex Mini Rok, 100kg with KT100J, 90kg with Comer SW80
• Data Logging not permitted at club level racing
• Aluminium Wheels only at club level racing
• Complete new kart (Arrow) $7350 Dec22

Engines

• The Cadet 9 class has the option of using the following engine.
  • Vortex Mini Rok engine (with 16mm restrictor) – This is the current engine and is the quickest combination if you want to be competitive racing.
  • Yamaha KT100J engine (with 13mm restrictor)
  • Comer SW80 engine

• Vortex MiniRok with 16mm restrictor
  • OEM Clutch
  • OEM airbox
  • OEM Muffler
  • Min weight 99kg
  • Eligible at all levels of competition
    • The MiniRok engine package cost $3165 new and around $18-2200 second hand. This is the new generation of engines and the fastest combination of the three eligible engines.  It is a fixed jet carby (there are no adjustments that can be made while on the track) and has a clutch and electric starter motor fitted standard.

• Yamaha KT100J Engine with KA supplied 13.02mm diameter exhaust restrictor
  • Tomar, Strike, ItalRed Clutch optional
  • AKA 43 Airbox
  • AKA14 Muffler
  • Min Weight 100kg
  • Eligible for Zonal and club level racing
    • The KT100J is an engine manufactured by Yamaha and has been the backbone in Australian Karting until recent regulation changes. It is a 100cc engine and restricted through the exhaust with a 13mm restrictor.  This restrictor makes it a little harder to tune and the engine does not have a clutch or electric starter fitted from factory.  An aftermarket clutch can be fitted to the engine and needs to be started.  Yamaha no longer produce this engine but like the Comer, parts are still available.  Expect to pay $350 to $650 for a second hand engine, plus around $345 for a new clutch and $285 up for external starter if required

• Comer SW80
  • OEM Clutch
  • AKA 43 Airbox
  • OEM Muffler
  • Min Weight 90kg
  • Eligible for Zonal and club level racing
    • The Comer SW80 Engine is a very user friendly engine that is ideal for any driver starting out. While not as fast as the MiniRok it still has a clutch and pull start fitted, and can be purchased second hand at a very affordable price.  They are no longer imported into Australia new, but parts are still available for them.  Expect to pay to the range of $350 to $650 for a second hand engine

Cadet 4SS

Kart

• Open to any brand of chassis
• Controlled tyres
  • Dry Vega VAH ($256.00 per set 4) Dec22
  • Wet Vega W2 ($290.00 per set 4) Dec22
  • 900-950mm Wheelbase chassis
  • Class Weight 100kg
  • Data Logging not permitted
  • Complete new kart (Ricciardo) $5000.00 Dec22

Engines

• The Cadet 4SS class has the option of using the following engine.
  • Torini Clubmax TC210 with Torini Carburettor 16.5mm Venturi
    • Engine Kit $1750.00 Dec22
  • Briggs & Stratton 206 with Clarburettor Slide 0.570 (Yellow B&S Restrictor)
    • Engine Kit inc Restrictor $2121.00 Dec22

• Often the toughest decision can be on the brand of kart to purchase. Everyone you talk to will give you a different opinion and in a lot of cases this will come down to what they sell or what they currently drive.
• There are two main categories of chassis brands, Australian or European made karts. The biggest manufacture of karts on Australia is DPE, who manufacture the Arrow & Sera kart.  With European karts the biggest brands are CRG and OTK.   All of these manufactures produce multiple brands, with a brief description below
  • DPE produce Arrow, Sera, Monaco & Deadly. These are all the same kart, only different colours and sometimes some different accessories.  The current model is the X6 and go as follows the older they get.  X5, X4, X3, X2, X1E, X1, AX9, AX8, AX6
  • CRG produce a range of brands, but unlike DPE, each of the brands are a different chassis design, and can have different components such as brakes, wheels etc. The main CRG brands are CRG, Kali, LH, Zinardi & DR.  CRG use different model names such as KT1, Road Rebel, Hero to identify their karts so it is a little harder to determine the age of the kart just by its name.  Models such as the Kalifornia have been made since the 90’s but evolved every year with a different version
  • OTK produce a range of karts like DPE, same kart different colour. These brands include Kosmic, LN, Tony Kart, FA & Exprit.
• Outside of these brands there are a number of great brands out there, but often the importers change often, parts are harder to get or set up information not as accessible. The best option is to ring/email if you see a kart you are interested in and we can give you some more specific information about the brand.

• Helmet –  Must be full face, a minimum standard of AS1698, ECE-2205 or Snell20XX (for a full list see the KA Rule Book) and less that 10 years from date of manufacture.  Smaller child size helmets such as LS2 start at $129.00 up to bell CMR helmets $1295.00.  A full list of helmets can be found on our web site.
• Suit – One Piece, Zip type, full length arms & sleeves, adequately secured at the neck, arms and legs,  Suits start at $140.00 for Juniors up to $370.00
• Gloves – Full fingered gloves start at $50.00
• Boots – Must cover and provide protection to the ankles and start at $125.00
• Rib Protector – Required and start at $179.00
• Neck Brace & chest Protector – Optional and start from $35.00