The short answer
| Level | What you pay for | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Rental session | 20–30 minutes on track | £25–£75 |
| Arrive-and-drive league | One round, kart included | £40–£285 |
| First licence | Starter pack + ARKS test | £78 + up to £100, plus kart hire |
| Club racing | Entry per meeting | £65–£195 |
| Your own kart | New, complete senior kart | about £6,000–£7,900 |
Arrive-and-drive sessions
| Circuit | Session | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Three Sisters | Juniors 8–15, 20 minutes | £25.99 |
| Whilton Mill | Bambino/Cadet, 2 × 10 minutes | £30 |
| Whilton Mill | National circuit, 20 minutes (14+) | £42 |
| Rye House | Juniors 8–15, 30 minutes | £49 |
| Rye House | Grand Prix 30, adults | £65 |
| Whilton Mill | International circuit, 2 × 20 minutes | £75 |
Indoor chains like TeamSport use dynamic pricing, so the same session costs more on a Saturday night than a weekday afternoon. Find circuits near you on karting near you.
Getting your licence
- Starter pack with first-year Kart Interclub licence: £78 in the Motorsport UK shop (September 2026). Other Motorsport UK pages still show £75 and an old £59, so check before you buy.
- ARKS test: up to £100 including VAT, plus kart hire. Three Sisters charges £100 for the test and £40 for the kart; HKRC charges £120 with track time if you bring your own kart and kit.
- Retakes: up to £50 for the written paper and £60 for the drive.
- Under-18s: a parent or guardian also needs a Motorsport UK entrant licence, an extra fee on top.
The whole process is covered in the ARKS test explained.
Racing at a club
| Club | Race entry (2026) | Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Camberley Kart Club | £65 members / £75 non-members | Required for member rate |
| Dunkeswell Kart Club | £85 full / £95 basic members | Full or basic |
| WSKC (Larkhall) | £140, includes championship registration | £195, includes unlimited club practice |
| Whilton Mill Kart Club | £160 members / £195 non-members | £99 race membership |
Most people practise the day before a race. Clay Pigeon charges £65 for a full day (£40 half), PF International £85 (Thames Valley Kart Club membership required), and WSKC £100 for a weekday full day.
Buying a kart
| Item | Price (new, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Complete senior Rotax kart (OTK chassis) | £7,440–£7,920 |
| Complete 950mm mini kart with Rotax Micro/Inter | £5,440–£5,500 |
| Rotax Senior engine, complete | £3,192–£3,276 |
| Rotax Junior engine, complete | £3,038 |
| Honda Cadet GX200 race engine, sealed | £928 |
Used karts lose value quickly, which is why most first-timers buy second-hand. What to check before you buy: buying your first kart.
Running costs
| Item | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Cadet slicks (Vega Cadetti UK), full set | £166.80 |
| X30 Senior slicks (Komet K3M), full set | £218.40 |
| Rotax Senior slicks (Mojo D5), full set | £219.26 |
| MYLAPS TR2 transponder | from £145, plus subscription from £55 |
| Transponder hire from a club | £15–£20 per weekend |
On top of that come fuel, oil, chains, sprockets, engine rebuilds and travel. They vary so much by class and by how often you race that no single figure would be honest.
Questions people ask
How much does a season of club karting cost?
No official body publishes a figure, because it depends on class and how often you race. Add up the parts: £65–£195 per meeting entry, £40–£100 per practice day, £165–£220 for each set of slicks, plus membership, fuel and engine maintenance.
What's the cheapest way to race karts?
Arrive-and-drive leagues: BIKC finals are £40–£80 and CLUB100 rounds £265–£285, with the kart included and nothing to store or transport.
How much is a karting licence?
The Motorsport UK starter pack, which includes your first year's Kart Interclub licence, is £78 in the Motorsport UK shop in September 2026. The ARKS test is up to £100 plus kart hire.
Is a Honda Cadet engine cheaper than a Rotax?
Yes. A sealed Honda GX200 race engine costs £928, against £2,400–£3,300 for a complete Rotax engine.
Your next step
Find a circuit near you
Every UK kart circuit, the clubs that race there and their next race dates.
Sources
- Whilton Mill: arrive and drive
- Rye House: junior karting
- Rye House: adult karting
- Three Sisters: junior arrive 'n' drive
- Motorsport UK shop: karting starter pack
- ARKS: test fees and overview
- Three Sisters: driver training and ARKS
- HKRC: ARKS testing
- Camberley Kart Club: racing
- Dunkeswell Kart Club: 2026 supplementary regulations
- WSKC Larkhall: 2026 membership
- Whilton Mill Kart Club: 2026 fees
- Clay Pigeon Raceway: practice
- PF International: owner drivers
- Next Karting: new complete OTK karts
- Kart Parts UK: Rotax Evo engines
- RPM: MSUK GX200 race engine
- ABKC: costs and classes
- Next Karting: Vega Cadetti UK tyres
- KKC: Komet K3M tyres
- KKC: Mojo D5 tyres
- Race Transponders: MYLAPS kart transponders
- TeamSport: BIKC 2026
- CLUB100: Sprint Southern Championship 2026
Prices and rules change. Always check with the circuit, club or Motorsport UK before you book.