Getting Started

To get on track at the Bundaberg Kart Club (BKC), you'll need both a club membership and a Karting Australia license. Two license types are available:

• Competition License: This license lets you race at Karting Australia-sanctioned events nationwide.

• Recreational License (Practice/E Grade): This option grants full access to the track for practice and allows you to compete in one club day per calendar year, giving you a taste of racing. Even with a recreational license, you must adhere to all rules for your age group and license grade.

Racing Opportunities:

• Club Days: BKC holds club days on the 3rd Sunday of most months (February to November). You can also race at other Karting Australia-affiliated clubs across Queensland and beyond on other weekends. Our club days contribute to the BKC Club Championship, with trophies awarded annually.

• State Titles/Championships: These are held in each state at various times throughout the year, sometimes as a single event and other times as a multi-round series.

• National Championships: Australia's premier national championships are the Australian Kart Championship (AKC) and the Rotax Pro Tour. Both are multi-round series held at different tracks across the country.

Karting classes at Bundaberg Kart Club BKC) are divided by age, weight, and engine type. Here's a breakdown of the main classes:

Cadets (6-12 years):

• Cadet 4SS: 6-12 years. Uses the Torini Clubmaxx 210 engine. Great entry-level class, affordable and low maintenance.

• Cadet 9/9P: 6-9 years. Uses the Vortex Mini ROK engine with a restrictor.

• Cadet 12/12P: 9-12 years. Uses the Vortex Mini ROK engine.

Older Comer SW80 (Cadet 9) and Yamaha KT100J (Cadet 9 & 12) engines are permitted but less competitive. Cadet karts come in 900mm and 950mm lengths. Consult a kart shop for the right size for your child. Cadets 6-7 years old can only hold a practice license.

Juniors (12-15 years):

• 4SS Junior: 12-15 years. Uses the Torini Clubmaxx 210 engine. Minimum weight: 130kg (kart and driver). Entry-level class.

• KA3 Junior: 12-15 years. Uses the IAME KA100 engine with a restrictor. Split into Light and Heavy weight divisions.

• KA3 Junior Light: Minimum weight 132kg (kart and driver).

• KA3 Junior Heavy: Minimum weight 150kg (kart and driver). Kart (excluding driver) must weigh no more than XXkg.

Seniors (15+ years):

• 4SS Senior/Supermaxx: 15+ years. Uses a 4-stroke engine. Split into Light, Medium, and Heavy weight divisions. Affordable and low maintenance. Factory-sealed engine.

• KA3 Senior: 15+ years. Minimum weight: 150kg (kart and driver). Uses the IAME KA100 engine.

• TaG 125 Restricted: 15+ years. Split into Light, Medium, and Heavy weight divisions. Popular engines include the IAME X30 and Rotax 125 Max.

All karts, whether used for practice or competition, must comply with the Karting Australia Manual's technical regulations at all times while on track. You can find the most current AKA Manual here. This manual contains all the technical information you need to know.

Kart shops offer a variety of kart brands, many of which can be researched online before visiting the store. If you're buying a used kart, it's crucial to ensure it meets Karting Australia's technical regulations. While numerous Facebook groups exist for buying and selling karts and accessories, and many listed karts have been used at KA-sanctioned events, it's your responsibility to verify compliance with the rules.

Contact the club if you have any questions; we're happy to help.

Mandatory Safety Gear:

• Helmet: Full-face helmet, meeting Karting Australia Rulebook standards.

• Suit: One-piece racing suit with full arm and leg coverage. Abrasion-resistant material and CIK-FIA 2013-1 compliance are recommended.

• Gloves: Full-finger gloves that cover the wrists and are abrasion-resistant.

• Shoes: Securely fastened shoes that protect the ankles and are abrasion-resistant.

• Rib Protector: Required for Cadet and Junior drivers.

Recommended Safety Gear:

• Neck Brace

• Rib Protector (for Senior drivers)

• Balaclava

All membership and licensing is completed through Karting Australia’s Karting Online Member Portal (KOMP). Please click on our Membership and Licensing tab for more information including cost.

When you join Bundaberg Kart Club, you will receive a welcome email with further information about the club, facilities, and practice rules. It is important to note that for all personal practice sessions, drivers must always be accompanied by an adult who has completed the Karting Australia Level Five ‘Karting Activity Controller’ course. For a child, this would normally be the parent or guardian. You are unable to practice without having an adult with you who holds this officials license.

Occasionally the track will be closed for working bees and other private hires/events. This information will be shared via our Facebook and Instagram pages as well as on our website.

After becoming a member, practice is key before your first race. When your lap times approach the average race pace, you'll need to complete an Observed Driving Session (ODS) to be eligible to race. ODS sessions can be scheduled on the practice day before a race meet or at another time by contacting the club.

Cadet Practice Requirements: Cadets must log eight hours of supervised practice with a parent/guardian holding a participant's license, or someone over 18 with a race license or recognized driver trainer, before their ODS. The supervisor must complete a New Cadet Driver Practice Log, which must be submitted to the official conducting the ODS.

What to Expect at the ODS:

• We'll cover race meeting basics, official roles, and key rules.

• A track walk will familiarize you with the start grid, formation line, and procedures.

• You'll be tested on your knowledge of racing flags (refer to the Karting Australia Manual).

• On-track observation of your race lines and lap times will ensure you're ready to race safely.

Transponder Requirement: You'll need a transponder for your kart to link with our timing system. This measures lap times and race position (separate from any data logger you might have). BKC has a couple of transponders for hire. New transponders are available from MyLaps, and used ones can often be found on karting Facebook groups. Transponders can be non-subscription or subscription-based. If you purchase a subscription-based transponder, you must create an account and activate the subscription before your first race meet, or it won't function. Follow the included instructions to activate your transponder.