How to Get Started in Racing
Most professional race car drivers started out in some form of karting, and for some people (especially younger people) it becomes the natural first step in the pursuit of a professional career. But karting is also a great place for the rest of us who will never go pro, as it offers high-performance vehicles and close competition at relatively low costs. There's no better way to start experiencing the thrill and satisfaction of racing, but getting started can be a bit confusing. We hope to make things more clear for the beginners with the information below.
Getting Started with Kids (under age 16)
Karting offers many different options for kids. Of course, as a child grows they'll need to keep moving up into bigger and faster classes. Because of this, we generally recommend the Rotax MAX classes for kids aged 7 and older. Rotax MAX allows you to continue using the same engine at each step in the growth process by adjusting the power output with various parts and accessories. Following are our recommendations based on the child's age:
Kid Karts: Ages 5-8
For the youngest drivers, Kid Karts are the place to be. This class uses a 50cc 2-stroke engine that produces almost 2 HP. The chassis is sized for younger kids and is available from multiple manufacturers.
Rotax Micro MAX: Ages 7-10
One of the advantages of the Rotax classes is that the same engine can be used (with modifications) all the way up to the Senior level. The Rotax engine is a 125cc 2-stroke that produces 6.8 HP in the Micro MAX configuration. Chassis are available from many manufacturers, and the same chassis can be used when moving up to the Mini MAX class.
Rotax Mini MAX: Ages 9-12
This class uses the same 125cc engine as the other Rotax classes, but configured to produce 13.5 HP. Chassis options in this class are the same as in Micro MAX, and a child moving up from Micro MAX can use the same kart and engine as long as the correct upgrades are applied to the engine.
Rotax Junior MAX: Ages 13-16
Moving up from Mini MAX requires another upgrade to the 125cc Rotax engine, bringing it to 20.4 HP. A larger kart chassis is also required (available from a number of manufacturers), but this chassis can continue to be used when the driver graduates to Senior MAX.
Buying & Maintaining a Kart
Whichever class you choose to start in, you'll need to buy a kart. Our pro shop can help you make the right decisions and also give advice on maintenance and tuning, in addition to providing service work if needed. We'd love to help you get started in karting, so please contact us with any questions you may have.
Learning to Race
Teaching people to race is our primary goal. We offer many ways to learn, including private coaching for those who want individual attention. Please contact us if you'd like some help.
For More Information: 941-723-3900 or info@andersenracepark.com
Getting Started as an Adult (age 16 and older)
For adults, the cheapest and easiest way to get started is in one of our Rock Karts. We offer a number of programs that don't require you to own any equipment, just bring yourself and we provide everything else. These programs will allow you to start learning and having fun without any capital investment:
- Open Lapping Sessions
- Driver Clinics
- Rock Kart Challenges
- Sunday Showdowns
- Enduro Challenges
Andersen RacePark offers "arrive and drive" open lapping sessions. Visit us on any Open Karting day, and you can jump in one of our Rock Karts and lap Andersen RacePark. Driver experts will help you with the basic elements of driving, such as the line, braking, and other tricks of the trade, to improve your driving and bring those lap times down!
Andersen RacePark offers Driver Clinics every Thursday at 4:30pm during the summer (winter schedule TBD). Instructors will work closely with each driver who attends, providing them with professional feedback that will help them improve their driving technique, consistency, and overall performance. Each week's class will focus on a specific area or skill, with a view to developing a driver towards competing in the Sunday Showdowns series or improving their performance in a competition kart. Each driver clinic will take roughly two hours to complete.
Our Rock Kart Challenges are designed to help you refine your competition skills. Drivers warm up with a 10 minute practice session, where they have the chance to learn the track and get a feel for the karts. Next up is qualifying, where drivers have another 10 minutes to try to record the fastest lap time possible. After a short break, where officials will brief the drivers on rules and procedures, drivers will line up for a 12 lap challenge with a rolling start.
Before and after each session, professional instructors will be on hand offering drivers with assistance and driving tips.
The Rock Kart Challenge is a good option if you are looking for a short event. If you have a group of 10 people or less, the challenge will take roughly an hour to complete. If you have 12 or more drivers, then your group will be split into 2 heats, extending the duration of the event.
Sunday Showdowns at Andersen RacePark are all about a safe and cost effective driving experience. Just like in the Friday Night Fights, competition, speed and prizes are all on offer. On alternate Sundays for a select period (winter, spring, summer and fall editions), Andersen RacePark will challenge and educate drivers, with the aim to teach and develop drivers to a higher standard.
Andersen RacePark hosts Enduro Challenges on a regular basis throughout the year. The challenges are open to the public, and teams consisting of up to 5 drivers each will take part. Drivers and teams can sign up on a first come, first served basis.
Teams will receive a 20 minute practice session, where drivers can familiarize themselves with the karts and the track layout, as well as practicing their all-important driver changes.
Once the teams are ready, the next step is a 2 hour challenge with a Le Mans style start, and the kart that completes the most laps wins. Fast and consistent driving is required, but that's only part of it. Strategy and decision-making are absolutely key ingredients when it comes down to defeating the competition. More often than not, the battle is won with good old-fashioned teamwork!
Space is limited, so make sure you reserve your spot early!
Once you've outgrown the rental karts, the next step is to get yourself a competition kart. There are many classes, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Our recommendation is to stick with the Rotax classes, which offer sealed spec engines ensuring a level playing field for all competitors:
Rotax Senior MAX: Ages 15 and up
This class uses the 2-stroke Rotax 125cc engine producing 28.5 HP. Kids moving up from Rotax Junior MAX can continue to use their same kart and engine, as long as the engine has been modified with the correct upgrades.
Rotax Masters MAX: Ages 32 and up
This class is identical to Rotax Senior MAX, except that it is limited to older drivers.
Rotax DD2 MAX: Ages 15 and up
The DD2 class utilizes a special 2-speed version of the Rotax engine producing 32.6 HP, along with a different chassis. The combination of gearbox and increased power results in a higher-performance kart for those who feel the need to go faster.
Buying & Maintaining a Kart
Whichever class you choose to start in, you'll need to buy a kart. Our pro shop can help you make the right decisions and also give advice on maintenance and tuning, in addition to providing service work if needed. We'd love to help you get started in karting, so please contact us with any questions you may have.
Learning to Race
Teaching people to race is our primary goal. We offer many ways to learn, including private coaching for those who want individual attention. Please contact us if you'd like some help.
For More Information: 941-723-3900 or info@andersenracepark.com
The Next Step After Karting for Career-Minded Drivers
The Indy Racing League has put together a direct path from karting to the IZOD IndyCar Series. Named the "Road to Indy", this ladder is made up of the following three steps:
- USF2000 National Championship
For drivers looking to move into the open-wheel ladder from karting, the
USF2000 National Championship is the logical first step. Organized by Andersen Promotions (a sister company of Andersen RacePark) in conjunction with the Indy Racing League, this series utilizes a modern 2.0 liter four cylinder engine (producing around 170 hp) combined with a lightweight formula car chassis to produce competitive and cost-effective racing.
- Star Mazda Championship
The
Star Mazda Championship combines a 250 hp Mazda Rotary engine with a modern carbon fiber tub to form the middle step on the ladder. Competition is intense, and
Andersen Racing (another sister company of Andersen RacePark) has been competing in this series since 2004.
- Firestone Indy Lights
Organized by the Indy Racing League,
Firestone Indy Lights utilizes a 3.5 liter V-8 producing 420 hp in a Dallara chassis. Andersen RacePark's sister company,
Andersen Racing, has been competing in this series since 2007. Once you've conquered this championship, you're ready for the
IZOD IndyCar Series.
Andersen RacePark has extensive experience on all steps of the Road to Indy ladder through it's sister companies, and we are happy to help any driver who is interested in competing on these levels. Please contact us if you have any questions.
For More Information: 941-723-3900 or info@andersenracepark.com