It probably started with a birthday party or a trip to your local TeamSport karting track.
Your child had a brilliant time, came home talking about lap times and immediately wanted to know when they could go again.
A few sessions later, they're getting quicker. Perhaps they've set one of the fastest lap times, won a race or even had an instructor mention they've got a bit of natural talent.
Sound familiar?
Your child's caught the karting bug, they've shown a bit of promise, and now you're wondering what comes next.
The good news is that getting into competitive karting doesn't mean rushing out to buy a kart, invest in a trailer or spend every weekend rebuilding engines.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, from local race nights to national championships, without owning a kart.
What is arrive and drive karting?
It's exactly what it sounds like. You turn up at the circuit, the organisers provide the kart, and your child gets to drive.
No kart to buy, maintain or transport. And no need to become a mechanic overnight.
Most venues also provide helmets and race suits for introductory sessions, so there's very little equipment needed to get started.
But arrive and drive isn't just about a few laps at the weekend. Many circuits offer coaching, junior academies, organised races and full championships.
It's a great way for children to build confidence, learn how to race against other drivers and discover how far they'd like to take their racing.
Indoor or outdoor karting: what's the difference?
Indoor karting is often where it all begins. Circuits such as TeamSport are ideal for learning the basics, including braking, cornering, overtaking and racing lines.
Outdoor karting generally involves larger circuits, longer straights and faster corners. Venues such as Daytona, Buckmore Park and Whilton Mill offer outdoor karting experiences, with the added excitement of dealing with the British weather.
Many outdoor circuits offer introductory sessions, taster days, coaching or assessments, so your child can experience outdoor racing before signing up for a championship.
It's worth contacting your local circuit to ask what's available for their age and experience. You don't need to commit to a full season to find out whether they enjoy it.
One track or a travelling championship?
Before signing up for a championship, it's worth checking where the races actually take place.
Some junior karting competitions are based at a single circuit, such as local race programmes at Whilton Mill, Buckmore Park or Daytona's InKart championships.
These can be a great starting point. Your child gets to know the circuit, make friends and develop their skills without spending hours travelling every weekend.
Other championships, such as Club100, FAT Karting League and the Daniel Ricciardo Series, race at different circuits throughout the season.
This gives young drivers valuable experience on different tracks, but it can also mean more travelling, overnight stays and additional costs.
And suddenly your weekends involve early starts, motorway service stations and a car boot full of karting gear!
Check the championship calendar before committing. Think about the travel involved, the number of race weekends and whether it fits around family life.
Where can my child race? Junior karting championships explained
There are lots of arrive and drive karting championships and racing programmes across the UK, far more than we could cover here!
We've picked out a handful to give you an idea of what's available, from local race leagues to national championships.
TeamSport and the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC)
If your child already enjoys indoor karting, the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC) is a natural next step.
Drivers compete through qualifying stages, with opportunities to progress to regional and national finals.
Typical cost: TeamSport sessions are often around £30 to £45. BIKC Local Final entry has been advertised at approximately £40, excluding qualifying sessions and other applicable costs.
Your local karting circuit
Don't overlook what's happening at your nearest outdoor track.
Many circuits run junior karting sessions, coaching academies and their own race competitions.
Whilton Mill, for example, offers junior sessions and a Karting Academy, helping children develop their skills before entering more competitive racing.
Typical cost: Junior sessions at Whilton Mill have been advertised from around £30, with coaching and academy programmes costing more.
Daytona Motorsport
Daytona Motorsport offers outdoor karting, including junior coaching and its InKart championships.
They also run the Jamie Chadwick Series, a girls only arrive and drive championship encouraging more girls into competitive karting.
Typical cost: InKart championship entries have been advertised at around £100 to £115 per round, depending on the venue, plus membership and any applicable assessment costs.
FAT Karting League
FAT Karting League offers competitive electric kart racing, with development programmes, championships and opportunities to qualify for the World Finals.
There's also a progression pathway towards Formula 4 for exceptional eligible drivers.
Typical cost: Introductory development sessions have been advertised from around £200. Championship entry costs are higher and depend on the programme.
Club100
Club100 offers outdoor arrive and drive racing in two stroke karts, providing a step up in performance for eligible junior drivers.
The organisers supply and maintain the karts, leaving drivers free to concentrate on racing.
Typical cost: Published 2027 Cadet and Junior championship entries are £315 per round, plus a £60 registration fee.
Daniel Ricciardo Series
The Daniel Ricciardo Series offers arrive and drive racing in its Cadet categories, with organisers providing the karts.
Its Junior and Senior categories are owner driver, so it's worth checking which programme is suitable for your child.
Typical cost: Cadet race entries have been advertised at £299.99 per round, plus annual membership and an academy assessment where required.
Explore the Daniel Ricciardo Series
These prices are examples rather than directly comparable costs. Some cover a casual session, while others are for a championship race day. Membership, assessments, practice, travel and safety equipment may be additional. Always check the latest fees, age requirements and championship rules before booking.
How much does junior karting cost?
One of the biggest advantages of arrive and drive karting is that you don't need to invest thousands in buying and maintaining your own kart.
You might start with an occasional indoor session costing around £30 to £45, then try some coaching or a local race evening.
More established championships can cost several hundred pounds per round, particularly once you add practice, membership, travel and accommodation.
Our advice is to start with a budget you're comfortable with and let your child progress at their own pace.
There's no need to rush into the most expensive championship. Some fantastic racing happens at local circuits, and there's plenty to learn along the way.
You don't need to own the kart to make the racing your own
Most karting venues provide helmets and race suits for introductory sessions, which is perfect when your child is just starting out.
But once they're racing regularly, having their own equipment is something many young drivers get excited about.
And let's face it, there's something quite appealing about having a helmet that hasn't been shared with three birthday parties that afternoon.
A good pair of karting gloves is an affordable starting point. As their interest grows, you might consider a properly fitted helmet and their own race suit.
Having equipment that fits comfortably can make the experience more enjoyable, but there's also the excitement of developing their own racing identity.
Their favourite colours, their racing number, perhaps even their name on their suit.
They might be driving the same rental kart as everyone else, but they can still look and feel like a proper racing driver.
At Custom Racewear, we help drivers create personalised karting suits that reflect their own style, whether they're competing in their first indoor championship or racing at national level.
Some championships require drivers to provide their own approved safety equipment, so always check the rules before purchasing.
Your next three steps
If your child is keen to take their karting further, here's where we'd start.
- Find your nearest karting circuit and check what junior sessions, coaching and race leagues they offer.
- Book a trial or coaching session so your child can experience competitive karting before committing to a championship.
- Explore the options together. Compare age requirements, race calendars, entry fees and travel before deciding what works for your family.
You don't need to plan an entire racing career just yet. One race at a time is a perfectly good place to start.
