HOW TO START RACING

Are you  a racing fan? You can race karts at any age. You can race in a karting championship from as young as 8 years old. There is no age limit. If you have the passion, you can race!

Of course, there are some steps to climb before you can register in a racing event.  Below you will find the description of these steps:

Step

Description

Details

1

Buy your kart and equipment

To get into kart racing, you must own a kart and equipment (for ex. racing suit, helmet, gloves, shoes, rib protector, neck protector)

2

Racing school

To be able to compete in a kart race, you must hold a racing licence issued by the Fédération du Sport Automobile du Québec (FSAQ www.fsaq.qc.ca) .  To obtain this license, you must successfully complete a racing course from a recognized racing school such as our own Ecole Max Challenge racing school.

3

Obtain your racing license

In addition to the racing school course, you must also be a  member of a racing club (ex. Club de Karting St-Roch-de-L’Achigan), apply for a racing license,  include a medical report and pay the licencing fees ($50 to $100, according to the license type).

4

Register to races

For example, the registration fees at each 2006 Coupe de Montréal event were $80 per event.

* It is strongly recommanded to have a good training period before registering in  your first race.  The better  trained you are, the more safe and  satisfying the race will be for you. There is a big difference between running in practice and running in a race due to the stress factor.  Usually, a new race driver will practice during one season and register in 1 or 2 races at the end of the season, in preparation for his first racing season the year after.

Class

Age

Description

Cadet

8 - 10 y.o.

Entry class for the young racers.  The kart is about 2/3 the size of a regular kart. This is a monotype class and uses the WTP 600 cc engine. Top speed  80 km/h (50 mph).

Honda Junior

11-14 y.o.

Monotype class using the Honda GX160 engine, prepared for kart racing. Entry price for this class is affordable and maintenance of the engine is inexpensive.  Engine power is 5.5 h.p. with a top speed of 90 km/h (55 mph).

Rotax Mini Max

10 - 13 y.o.

Monotype class using the Rotax Max Junior engine with restrictors. This powerfull liquid cooled 2-stroke engine is equipped with an electric starter. This reliable engine develops 22 hp and top speed is 100 km/h (70 mph).

Rotax Max Junior

12-16 y.o.

Monotype class using the Rotax Max Junior engine.  This powerfull liquid cooled 2-stroke engine is equipped with an electric starter.  This reliable engine develops 22 hp and top speed is 130 km/h (68 mph).

Honda

15 y.o and over

Same as Honda junior, but the engine used is the Honda GX200 with 6.5 hp to compensate the higher weight of the driver. Top speed is 90 km/h (55 mph).

Rotax Max

15 y.o. and over

The most popular class in the World. Same as the junior class but with 29 h.p. and top speed is 140 km/h (87 mph).

Rotax DD2

15 y.o and over

New class. Shifter kart (2-speed gearbox), direct drive without chain, powerful (34 hp) and reliable. Top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph)

Masters T.A.G.

32 y.o. and over

This class is like the Rotax Max class but reserved to drivers aged 35 or over.  Also, drivers can use the Rotax Max engine or the Vortex Rok.  29 h.p. engine with a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).

Formula 125 / ICC

15 y.o. and over

The most powerfull karting class.  Uses 125 cc, 6-speed gearbox engines. Race prepared, these engine can reach 50 hp. and have heart stopping acceleration. Top speed is 160 km/h (100 mph)