kaarting

Kaarting is a form of motorsport that involves racing go-karts on short circuits. Karts are small, open-wheeled, low-profile vehicles designed for competition. The sport emphasizes driver skill and racecraft, with different classes and tracks ranging from indoor arenas to outdoor circuits.

The modern discipline began in the United States in the 1950s and spread rapidly to Europe and other regions. International governing bodies recognized karting as the sport's foundation, and in the 1960s and 1970s national and regional championships proliferated. The FIA now supervises international karting through its karting commissions, while many countries have their own national federations.

Programs typically include practice sessions, qualifying, heat races, and a final. Races are conducted in classes defined by age, weight, and kart power. Rental karts provide entry points for beginners, while competitive karts use higher-performance chassis and engines, including two-stroke, four-stroke, and electric powertrains. Indoor and outdoor tracks offer varied layouts, including tight corners and long straights.

Safety is central: participants wear helmets, racing suits or overalls, gloves, neck braces, and certified seat belts; karts feature kill switches and track marshals coordinate incident response.

Kaarting serves as an entry point for many professional racers and remains popular as both a youth sport and a recreational activity. Major events include regional and world championships organized under FIA Karting.