Karting is often referred to as the foundation step for new aspiring Formula 1 racers. It is the stage where many professional drivers and the world’s greatest racers begin their journeys. In previous blogs, we have already explored the fascinating world of karting. Everyone wants to become the greatest Formula 1 driver, but no one talks about how to be a professional Go-Kart racer. A new-generation driver needs to be an expert in driving a kart; if it flops at the grounding state, then it is impossible to tackle with the amenities of F1 cars. In this article, we will discuss the important steps to be taken to become a professional Go-Kart racer.
Suppose you are a newcomer or a crazy fan of kart racing and motorsport. In that case, I recommend you check out our previous guides on “A Comprehensive Guide To Become An F1 Driver” These guides will provide you with some of the essential information about racing. The information is your knowledge manual, designed to help you better understand the journey from Karting to Formula 1.
Steps To Become A Professional Go-Kart Racer
Want to become a Formula 1 champion? It starts with mastering the art of karting. Being a professional go-kart racer demands dedication and strategic planning. Remember, without a solid foundation in karting, the road to Formula 1 is a steep climb.
Are you ready to take your karting skills to the next level and become a professional go-kart racer?
Start your journey today by following these proven steps and experiencing the thrill of high-speed competition.
Step 1: Master the Basic Skills
As you already know, karting is essential for being a full-time race car driver. Before you think about going to be a pro racer, you need to have a strong command of your basic skills. You must know how to steer, twist, and turn around the corners. Even you must know how to step up a kart before the race begins. Understand the Go-Kart engine configuration and maintenance. You should also learn the racing terminology and plan your race strategy used during the race.
Step 2: Participate in Karting School or Join A Racing Club
As you learned in the first step, mastering the art of driving from the basics will improve your pathway to racing. But where do you learn all such things as a driver? Find a place to learn such statistics. So if you want to be professional in the racing world, then you must join a karting club. Joining a karting club is important because of the facilities and infrastructure they provide, which will help you move in racing and give you valuable experience.
I would suggest you go and research local karting tracks in your region, and from there you can choose the right membership so that you can get full access to their racing programs. By applying to the membership program, you get the opportunity to attend club meetings and race events. You can also volunteer on race days to gain experience and build relationships.
Some Famous Karting Clubs Where You Can Start Your Early Racing Days
Top Famous Karting Clubs in the UK Region
Top Famous Karting Clubs in the US Region
Top Famous Karting Club in The Asia Region
All the above-mentioned racing schools and karting clubs are the best in facilities and infrastructure. This is the place where an aspiring racer would become a hero and then escalate to become an F1 legend. These schools and kart clubs are famous, but it might be costlier on the other side.
Step 3: How Much Costly Is Karting?
Money is not important, but if you are a racing mimic, you can easily attract sponsorship deals because you keep winning. Even there are several factors that one must know before taking the ultimate drive.
Factors that affect the cost of karting
The actual cost of karting may differ from region to region. Even it depends on your age, as your age defines the class you will enroll in. A few external factors play an important role in potentially raising the cost of karting, which are as follows:
Location: The location of go-karting tracks might affect the cost of karting. This may be due to logistics and supply chains.
Track Type: Even the type of track on which you drove also influences the cost of karting. Generally, there are two types of tracks: indoor tracks and outdoor tracks. Typically, a local kart track would charge about $40 to $50 per session.
Time of session: Some tracks might charge according to the time devoted to karting. The morning session would be less as compared to the weekend evenings.
Kart Type: This also influences the cost of karting. With your age in racing and grade. The kart that you drove might also level up from standard to high performance.
Session Duration: The longer the session, the higher the cost. For example, a 15-minute karting session might cost you about $15-$30, then a 60-minute session that costs around $80-$90.
Stage 4: Develop Skills, Win, and Repeat
You have now invested money and mastered your basic skills. Go out; the track is open to you. Gear up the suit, start the engine, and maneuver to the track's apex. Driving, winning, and repeating is the only way to qualify for the FIA karting championship. If you want to know more about the FIA Karting Championship, please leave a comment below.
Stage 5: Become a regional winner and compete for the FIA Karting Championship.
If you are at this stage, I think you already won a regional karting championship. Now to become a professional kart racer, you must aim for the FIA Karting Championship. This championship is important in your journey to be an F1 driver. Learn to anticipate other rival drivers, get a better understanding of the track, and prepare for a strong mental attitude because you are about to enter into the karting biggest racing event globally.
What is a professional go kart racer salary?
Based on current trends and industry estimates, a professional go-kart racer can earn anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 per year. This range can vary significantly depending on factors like experience, team affiliation, sponsorship deals, and competition level.
Note: This is just a general estimate, and individual earnings can be higher or lower.
