Getting Started
Your Journey Into Karting Starts Here
Welcome to the thrilling world of karting! Whether you're a junior eager to learn or an adult looking for a new adrenaline-pumping hobby, here's what you need to know to get on track at the Tokoroa Kart Club.
-
Come and See Us!
The best way to understand karting is to see it in action. We highly recommend coming along to one of our club race days or practice sessions. This is a fantastic opportunity to:
- Experience the atmosphere — feel the excitement, hear the engines, and soak in the buzz of a race day.
- Meet our members — our friendly community is always happy to answer questions, share their experiences, and offer advice.
- See the karts and classes — get a firsthand look at the different kart classes and age groups to help you decide which path is right for you.
- Understand how it works — observe the race procedures, safety protocols, and general flow of a karting event.
Check our Race Days page for upcoming dates.
-
Join KartSport Tokoroa — Your Home Club!
To practice or race at any KartSport New Zealand affiliated track (including ours!), you must be a member of a KartSport club. Joining the Tokoroa Kart Club makes us your "home" club.
- Why join us? As a member, you gain access to our facilities, can participate in our club events, practice 7 days a week and become part of our supportive karting family.
- Membership options: We offer Racing, Family and Social memberships. Learn more on our Membership page.
-
Obtain Your Karting New Zealand Licence
Once you're a financial member of KartSport Tokoroa, you'll need a Karting New Zealand (KNZ) licence. This is mandatory for all drivers for practice and competition.
- Practice Licence — ideal for those who want to get some track time and learn the ropes before committing to racing. Allows you to practice at affiliated tracks.
- Competition Licence — for those ready to jump into racing! Allows you to practice and compete in official KartSport New Zealand events.
- One-Day Competition Licence — if you just want to "try before you buy" a full licence, some clubs offer a limited number of one-day licences for competition on specific club days. Check with us on the day if this is an option you'd like to explore.
How to apply: Karting New Zealand has an online licensing system. You will typically:
- Select KartSport Tokoroa as your home club.
- Choose the licence type you require.
- Complete the online application form and medical declaration.
- For applicants under 18, provide proof of age (birth certificate or passport).
- Pay the licence fee.
Your digital licence will be accessible via the Karting New Zealand App (available on Google Play and the App Store) once approved. You will need to present this digital licence at events.
-
Get Your Karting Gear!
Safety is paramount in karting. Before you hit the track, you'll need the right approved safety equipment (must comply with Karting New Zealand rules):
- Helmet — an approved motorsport helmet (check for current standards, often Snell or FIA approved).
- Race suit — full racing overalls, typically CIK-FIA homologated, with your first and last name stitched or screened on the chest.
- Gloves — substantial material, giving full hand and finger protection.
- Footwear — enclosed shoes that provide full foot and ankle protection (race boots recommended).
- Neck brace/collar — often required for junior classes and highly recommended for all drivers.
- Rib protector — highly recommended for all drivers to prevent bruising and injury from karting forces.
Where to buy gear: There are several dedicated karting shops and online retailers in New Zealand that can supply new and used equipment. You can also often find good second-hand gear through club contacts or online classifieds.
-
Find Your Kart and Class!
This is where the fun begins! KartSport New Zealand has various classes designed for different age groups, engine types, and skill levels.
Age groups: karting caters for drivers as young as 6 years old (Cadet ROK) right through to senior classes.
Class Typical Age Cadet ROK 6–10 — where many champions begin, with restricted performance for learning Vortex Mini ROK 9–13 — a step up from Cadet, same engine but without the restrictor Junior Rotax Max / Junior DVS 12–16 — progression into faster junior categories Rotax Max Senior / Senior DVS / DD2 / KZ2 15+ — popular and competitive senior classes with varying power levels and maintenance requirements Buying a kart:
- New karts: chassis can range from $4,000–$6,500, with engines adding another $3,500+.
- Second-hand karts: a good used setup can be found from $2,500–$4,000, but it's crucial to ensure the kart and engine are legal to KartSport New Zealand rules and to check for any damage. We strongly recommend having an experienced karter or a reputable kart shop inspect any second-hand purchase.
We can help! Don't hesitate to talk to our experienced members or committee if you need advice on which class to choose or where to find a suitable kart.
-
Get Ready to Practice & Race!
Once you have your membership, licence, kart, and gear, you're ready to hit our track!
- Practice sessions: book through our online Membership Portal. Remember to always practice with another person present at the track, as per KSNZ rules.
- Race days: our club days are structured events where you can test your skills against other members. You'll need a timing transponder for race days — these can be leased from KartSport NZ or sometimes hired from the club.
Before You Start
Important Notes
Rule Book
Familiarise yourself with the Karting New Zealand Rule Manual — essential for safety and fair competition. Find it on the official Karting New Zealand website.
Pit Etiquette & Track Rules
We have specific rules for using our facility safely and respectfully. These will be provided upon membership.
Ask Questions!
Seriously, there's no such thing as a silly question when you're starting out. Our club committee and experienced members are always willing to help.
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
We can't wait to help you kickstart your karting adventure at KartSport Tokoroa.
Join the Club