Start Karting in the UK | Shenington Kart Racing Club

Before You Commit

Try Karting First

Not sure if karting is for you? There are a couple of ways to experience it before investing in a licence and equipment.

No Licence Needed

Arrive & Drive Sessions

Indoor and outdoor arrive-and-drive circuits are a great way to feel the thrill of karting without any commitment. These karts are lower-powered but give you a taste of the racing line, braking zones, and competition. Check out your nearest arrive-and-drive venue to get started.

Owner Kart Experience

Come and Watch at Shenington

The best way to understand owner-kart racing is to come to a Shenington race day as a spectator. It's free to attend on practice days, just £10 per car on race days, and you'll see the full range of classes from cadets through to gearbox karts. Chat to drivers and teams in the paddock — the community is incredibly welcoming.

Step by Step

How to Start Racing

Four steps from complete beginner to crossing the start line at your first race meeting.

01

Get Your Licence Pack

Purchase a MotorsportUK Starter Pack online for £78. This includes your Novice Kart Licence, which is valid until 31st December. You'll need to be at least 8 years old for Cadet class, calendar year of 10th birthday for Intermediate, calendar year of 13th birthday for Junior, or calendar year of 16th birthday for Senior classes.

Buy Starter Pack →

02

Pass the ARKS Test For Your Race Licence

The Association of Racing Kart Schools (ARKS) test is a short practical assessment to ensure you can drive safely on circuit. It covers basic kart control, flag signals, and track etiquette plus a theory test about flags and race procedure. You can take this at Shenington for an extra £25 over the cost of the practice day.

Find an ARKS School →

03

Join Shenington KRC

Join Shenington KRC through our Alpha Timing portal. Club membership gives you discounts on practice and racing and entry to the club championships and to our welcoming community of racers of all ages and abilities. You must join an ABKC affiliated club before you can race, and can race elsewhere as a guest.

Join the Club →

04

Enter Your First Race

Browse our calendar and enter your first event via our Alpha Timing link once you have your licence. We recommend arriving on the practice day (Friday or Saturday) to get comfortable with the circuit before racing on Sunday. Our officials, experienced drivers and teams are always happy to help newcomers.

Enter an Event →

What It Costs

Getting Started Costs

An overview of the typical costs to get racing. Many drivers start with a used kart and second-hand equipment to keep initial costs down.

MotorsportUK Starter Pack

£78

One-year Novice Kart Licence

ARKS Test

£25 + Practice Day

Assessment

Club Membership

£80

Annual SKRC membership

Race Entry Fee

£80

Per Round (Excluding Two Day Race Weekends)

Safety Equipment

~£500+

Helmet, suit, gloves, boots

Used Kart Package

~£1,500+

Complete kart ready to race (second-hand)

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can you start karting?

You can start from age 8 in Cadet class karts. Junior classes start from 12, and Senior classes from 16 for novices. There's no upper age limit — we have drivers well into their 60s and beyond racing competitively. There are also Bambino classes from age 6 at some venues, or you can practice Cadets with us from age 7.

Do I need my own kart?

Yes, Shenington runs owner-kart racing. You'll need your own kart to compete. However, some teams offer arrive-and-drive packages or kart hire for race days. Ask in the paddock or on karting forums for recommendations.

What classes do you run at Shenington?

We run a range of classes across Cadet, Intermediate, Junior, and Senior age groups, including both direct drive and gearbox karts. Check our regulations document for the full list of classes for the current season.

How physically demanding is karting?

Karting is surprisingly physical. G-forces through corners, vibration, and the effort of steering without power-assistance mean you'll feel it! That said, people of all fitness levels enjoy karting — you'll build up endurance naturally.

Can I come and watch a race day?

Absolutely! Spectators are always welcome at Shenington free of charge for practice days, or £10 per car on race days. It's a great way to see what club karting is all about. Come along to any race Sunday and soak up the atmosphere. We also live stream races on youtube.

Where is Shenington circuit?

Shenington Kart Racing Circuit is located at Shenington Airfield near Banbury, Oxfordshire (OX15 6NY). It's easily accessible from the M40 and well-signposted from the surrounding area.

Where are the Regulations for Kart Racing?

The regulations are set by Motorsport UK, called the National Competition Rules (NCRs). Kart class regulations are in the Karting Yearbook. Both can be found on the Resource Centre on https://motorsportuk.org or via the Motorsport UK app for phones and tablets.