Classes go by age
UK karting is split into age categories, each with several engine classes. You move up as you get older, and once you've moved up a category you can't go back.
| Category | Ages |
|---|---|
| Bambino | 6–8 |
| Cadet | 8–12 |
| Inter | 10–13 |
| Junior | 12–16 |
| Senior | 15+ |
| Gearbox junior | 13–17 |
| Gearbox senior | 15+ |
Who actually races what
A class is only worth choosing if people near you race it: bigger grids mean better racing and a better second-hand market. Here's how many drivers raced each class at the meetings AllKart timed:
AllKart data · last 90 days
Drivers per class
- Rotax Senior / DD2260 drivers
- Rotax Junior205 drivers
- CLUB100 arrive-and-drive144 drivers
- Honda Cadet62 drivers
- Other cadet classes59 drivers
- X30 Senior44 drivers
- X30 Junior44 drivers
- Rotax Mini Max34 drivers
- Bambino18 drivers
- KZ gearbox12 drivers
- IAME Water Swift10 drivers
Then check the grids at your nearest club: browse clubs.
Bambino (6–8)
The first racing class. It's electric now: the MightE Bambino replaced the petrol Comer C50. It runs a single all-weather tyre, so there are no separate wets, and tops out at about 38mph. The class weight is 83kg including the driver. Bambinos only race at circuits licensed for them.
Cadet (8–12)
| Class | Engine | Weight with driver |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Cadet | Honda GX200 4-stroke, sealed | 105kg |
| IAME Water Swift (restricted) | 60cc 2-stroke | 100kg |
| Rotax Micro Cadet (8–11) | Restricted Rotax 125 Junior MAX | 105kg |
| MightE Cadet | Electric, new for 2026 | 118kg |
| Rotax E10 Cadet | Electric, new for 2026 | To be confirmed |
Every cadet class runs the Vega Cadetti UK tyre, which is fixed until at least February 2028.
Inter (10–13)
A bridge between cadet and junior, with two classes: IAME Water Swift Inter, the unrestricted 60cc engine at 110kg, and Rotax Inter, a restricted Junior MAX at 115kg.
Junior (12–16)
| Class | Engine | Weight with driver | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotax Junior Max | Rotax 125, restricted | 145kg | Mojo D2XX |
| IAME X30 Junior | IAME X30 with exhaust restrictor | 148kg | Komet K3H |
| Tillotson T4 Junior | 4-stroke, single-chassis class | 143kg | Maxxis T4 |
Junior karts reach around 70mph.
Senior (15+)
| Class | Engine | Weight with driver |
|---|---|---|
| Rotax Senior Max | 125cc water-cooled, electric start | 162kg (177kg heavy) |
| IAME X30 Senior | 125cc water-cooled, electric start | 162kg |
| TKM Extreme | 115cc 2-stroke | 155kg (Masters 161kg) |
| Tillotson T4 Senior | 4-stroke, single-chassis class | 161kg |
Senior karts reach about 75–80mph. TKM runs a Masters class for drivers over 35 or over 80kg.
Gearbox karts
KZ2 is the international 125cc six-speed class: 180kg, and 90–100mph on a short circuit. You need a Kart National licence and ten events at three or more venues before your first KZ2 race. Superkarts (250cc) race on full-size circuits and reach up to 145mph at tracks like Silverstone.
What changed for 2026
- Two electric cadet classes were homologated: MightE Cadet and Rotax E10 Cadet.
- Tillotson T4 Junior and Senior regulations joined the Yearbook.
- Every class was re-homologated for the new Yearbook.
- The X30 Junior exhaust restrictor wording changed, and a new X30 timing-gear rule applied from 1 March 2026.
- Rotax's TRAX system was permitted.
How to choose
- Go and watch your local club. The Association of Racing Kart Schools (ARKS) advises seeing which classes are popular before you spend anything. Find a race weekend.
- Match the class to your budget. A Honda Cadet engine is under £1,000; a Rotax is £2,400–£3,300. See what karting really costs.
- Try before you buy. ARKS schools supply karts and racewear for training, so you can drive a class before committing.
Questions people ask
What age can you start kart racing?
Six, in the Bambino class. Cadet racing starts at 8.
What's the fastest kart class in the UK?
Gearbox karts. KZ2 reaches 90–100mph on short circuits, and 250cc Superkarts up to 145mph on full-size tracks like Silverstone.
What's the difference between Rotax and X30?
They're rival 125cc water-cooled engines with electric start from different makers (BRP-Rotax and IAME), run at the same 162kg senior weight on different control tyres: Mojo D5 for Rotax, Komet K3M for X30. Pick whichever your local club races.
Is TKM still raced?
Yes. TKM Extreme is in the 2026 Yearbook for seniors, including Masters and Clubman weights; the junior Formula TKM classes run under their own regulations.
Your next step
Find a circuit near you
Every UK kart circuit, the clubs that race there and their next race dates.
Sources
- Motorsport UK Karting Yearbook 2026
- Motorsport UK National Competition Rules 2026 (Edition 3)
- ARKS: kart classes
- Motorsport UK: 2026 Karting Yearbook published
- ARKS licence application pack and training syllabus
Prices and rules change. Always check with the circuit, club or Motorsport UK before you book.