As a newcomer to the go-kart world, it can be a bit of a jungle to find out which kart to buy, which engine to drive, where to drive and what equipment is needed. We help you well on your way with this article.
How do I get started?
If you dream of driving a go-kart, our best advice is to go to your local club and have a chat with the club and their members. That way, you can learn a lot more about how it works with them before you take the next step.
You can find your local club here.
Which go-kart and engine should I buy?
There are a lot of go-kart brands and for you who are new to the sport, it may not be so essential which brand you start out with. It can be a good idea to see what the other members in the club drive, if there is a majority of a certain brand it will be a good idea to buy that brand. That way, you can easily get help from others in the club and if you just need a spare part, someone might have it lying around.
The same applies when choosing an engine. You must of course choose the engine that suits the class you want to participate in. But it is always a good idea to look at what the others in the club use, so you can get help with setup and spare parts. In addition, it is more fun to measure your lap times against others with the same engine.
What equipment do I need?
There is a large selection of go-kart equipment and at XRace we have a wide range of go-kart equipment from the most recognized manufacturers in the world. In addition, there are several really good Facebook groups with used equipment if you just want to try karting before investing in new equipment. Below you can see which equipment we recommend you buy.
Helmet
The helmet is one of the most important pieces of driving equipment. You can't drive a go-kart without a helmet. Helmets come in many price ranges and some have more advanced approvals than others. As a newcomer to karting, you don't need a helmet that costs several thousand kroner. You can actually manage just fine with a MC/Scooter helmet.
See our selection of helmets here.
Driving suit
There are both approved and non-approved go-kart suits. Which one you should use depends entirely on what you are going to participate in. If you want to start out by just training and improving your skills before you start participating in races, you can easily get by with an unapproved suit - Here we recommend the Sparco Rookie as is an affordable, high-quality suit.
If, on the other hand, you are going to participate in races, it is a requirement that your suit is CIK/FIA Homologated.
Approved suits are produced and designed according to requirements from CIK and FIA - An approved suit is usually a little expensive, but the safety and quality are top notch.
See our selection of driving suits here.
Gloves
Go-kart gloves can make a big difference. Gokart gloves have a silicone/rubber coating on the palm that improves your grip on the steering wheel and it is important, small bumps with the steering wheel can have a big impact on your lap time.
In addition, gloves also protect your hands from blisters that can come from the friction between your hands and the steering wheel.
See our selection of gloves here.
Driving shoes
Gokart shoes are made with a thin sole, which means that you have the right feeling of the gas pedal. There are many different models and designs, but the most important thing is that you find a pair of driving shoes that sit comfortably on you. Driving shoes should fit a little tight, of course without being bothersome or tight.
See our selection of driving shoes here.
Rib protector
It is not a requirement to drive with rib protectors, but we strongly recommend that you do so for your own safety. When you sit in a go-kart seat, all vibrations go up through you and all bumps and kerbs can be felt. Hard driving can result in bent or even broken ribs. That is why we see the rib protector as an investment in your own safety.
See our selection of rib protectors here.
What classes can I attend?
There are different classes according to age and engine.
Micro 60 - From the day you turn 7.
Rotax Micro - From the day you turn 7.
Mini 60 - From the year you turn 9.
Rotax Mini - From the year you turn 10.
OK Junior - From the year you turn 12.
DASU Junior - From the year you turn 12.
Rotax Junior - From the day you turn 12.
X30 Junior - From the year you turn 12.
OK Senior - from the year you turn 14.
DASU Senior - from the year you turn 14.
X30 Senior - from the year you turn 14.
Rok GP - from the year you turn 14.
Rok DVS - from the year you turn 14.
OK-N - From the year you turn 15.
KZ2 - From the year you turn 15.
Rotax Senior - From the year you turn 15.
Rotax DD2 XL - From the year you turn 16.
Rotax DD2 - From the year you turn 18.
Pre2000 - From the day you turn 20.
Pre2000 Plus - From the day you turn 20.
Pre95 - From the day you turn 20.
Pre89 - From the day you turn 20.
KZ2 Master - minimum age of 35 years.
Rotax DD2 Master - from the year you turn 35.
Do you need a license?
To drive a go-kart in Denmark, you must have a license that gives you access to drive on the various Danish tracks.
You order a license in the following way:
1. Follow this link.
2. Fill in the required information.
3. Select your desired club.
4. Select the membership you want.
5. Send your order.
Are you in doubt about which license you should use?
Then you can contact your local club and get help.
Learn a lot more about being new to karting!
At KartingDanmark.dk you will find all the relevant information you need to start go-karting! You can read more about how to start, what you need, what you can participate in, the technical aspects, clubs and much more.
Follow this link: KartingDanmark.dk