Getting Started and Licences for Long Circuit Superkart Racing
Superkart is the brand name for Long Circuit Gearbox Kart Racing and is run on circuits that are over 1500 metres in length or are registered motor racing venues. Typically well known race tracks such as Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch are used. There are a few directions from which you can start racing gearbox karts on long circuit. As a complete beginner, from short circuit, from car racing or from ACU bike racing. In all cases you will need a competition license supplied to you by the Motor Sports Association (MSA)
As a complete beginner:
Buy the "Starting Karting" pack from the MSA or your local ARKS School. It costs £61 including postage and package.
The pack contains a Novice Application form which includes the cost of the first licence and the cost of an Entrants PG Licence (which is required of any parent whose child is under the age of 18, and competing within UK National karting events, an MSA Pen, specimen licence and a DVD, which contains the MSA Kart and Yearbook and a video of Karting.
If you are covered by any exemption to the test, you do not need to take the test. The exemptions include having had certain grades of kart, foreign or racing licenses in the past, or holding a NATSKA Schools karting licence, or applying for an endurance licence.
Assuming you have a kart and have had sufficient practice and have learnt the regulations you can book the ARKS novice test. This can be taken with an ARKS school or with your local club who will have a club examiner.
If you are 18 or over, you need to have a medical, both you and the doctor need to complete the relevant parts of the license application form. You need to pay the doctor for this, usually around £90.
Take the ARKS test, this costs £98. The test is in two parts, a driving test and multiple choice questionnaire covering the flag signals and regulations. If you do fail either part of the test, you can
re-take it for an additional fee.
Next you need to send off for your MSA competition licence, this costs £36. (free for under 16's)
You will be issued with a National B NOVICE licence to start with. At this stage you are classified as a Novice driver and have to collect six signatures of competence from an MSA steward. Passing your ARKS Test will qualify you for one signature.
You can only compete at this stage at a Closed to Club or National B permit event. This can be done at either a short circuit or long circuit event.
If you race at a short circuit event you will need to have black number plates with white numbers attached to them.
On Long Circuit it is different and you will require only a yellow number plate 22cm x 22cm with a black diagonal
cross with strokes 15cm x 2.5cm fixed to the back bumper beside the rear number plate
Once you have got six signatures you can now remove your novice plates and upgrade your licence to a FULL National B grade. You must then continue to race at National B events for a further six signatures after which you can upgrade your licence to a National A grade
All 250cc British and National Superkart Championship events on Long Circuit are run to at least National A permit so that grade of licence is mandatory.The F125 Open National Championships are run to National B unless stated otherwise in the event SR's
From Short-Circuit Racing
If you have raced previously on short circuit, have a National A licence and have never raced on long circuit before it
is easy to transfer to competing on long circuit. In the first instance you will be regarded as a Long Circuit Novice and
will have to attach a yellow number plate 22cm x 22cm with a black diagonal cross with strokes 15cm x 2.5cm fixed
to the back bumper beside the rear number plate. Four signatures are then required from the MSA Steward before
you can remove your novice plate. Unlike short circuit you will not be required to start from the back of the grid.
Don't forget that for long circuit you will need to wear a leather racing suit.
From Car Racing
If you have a Race National B licence it is valid for Clubman and National B kart events. Once you have the required
Upgrade signatures for karting you can add a National A kart licence. If you have a Race National A licence
it is valid for Long Circuit Kart Events. It is not valid for short circuit at National A permit kart Meetings.
For the first four events you well need to carry the Long Circuit novice numbers plates as detailed above and
receive four signatures from the MSA Steward.
From ACU and Motorcycle Racing
A bike competitor holding a ACU National Motorcycle Road Race licence is eligible for a National A Kart Race licence
For the first four events you well need to carry the Long Circuit novice numbers plates as detailed above and receive
four signatures from the MSA Steward.
The MSA have brought us into line with car practice so it is possible to get a maximum of two signatures per event at long circuit events.