New to the sport?
The first step on the motorsport ladder
Karting is where motorsport starts. Almost every Formula 1 and top racing driver began in a kart, and it is the most affordable, safest and most competitive way to learn to race. Drivers race wheel-to-wheel on real circuits, in classes set by age, and progress from their first practice laps to national championships — and, through the Karting Africa Series, all the way up the ladder on African soil.
It is also a warm-up sport for life: it teaches control, discipline, respect for machinery and how to compete — and a driver can start as young as three years old.
Start at 3 · compete from 5 to 7
Karting Africa Bambino (four-stroke)
The very first step. At three years old a child can start practicing in the small Karting Africa Bambino four-stroke — no racing, just learning the controls and having fun. From five years old they start competing, up to seven.
Ages 8–11
Karting Africa Mini Kart
The first full class in the Karting Africa Series — young drivers race the Karting Africa Mini Kart against others their own age.
Ages 11–14
Karting Africa Junior chassis
The junior step up — the same chassis and code as the senior class, set up for a junior driver.
Ages 13+
Karting Africa Senior chassis
The senior class — the top of the Karting Africa Series ladder and the gateway to higher levels of motorsport.
A kart suited to the driver's age class, plus a helmet, suit and the other safety gear the sport requires.
Karting rewards time on track. Start with practice days and club racing before chasing championships.
Driver coaching and the fundamentals make the difference — the Karting Africa pathway and the manual below are built for exactly that.
New to karting? Start with the fundamentals.
The Complete Karting Fundamentals Manual by Wesleigh Orr explains everything a new driver, parent or mechanic needs — exactly the warm-up read before you buy a kart or enter your first race.
Get the bookThe Book
Edition 1 by Wesleigh Orr — the fundamentals every driver, parent and mechanic needs to start karting the right way.
Buy the bookDrivers, parents, partners and National Sporting Authorities — get involved.