Karting Safety

[Eifion]

Like many parents at the moment my son's asked if he can start Karting (he's mad on Lewis Hamilton), you'd think I'd be over-joyed but i have some concerns.

I went to see a Kart race years ago at Oulton Park (it really was years ago, early 80s or v.late 70s), there were a mix of gearbox karts and unfortunately I witnessed a race fatality just after the first corner on the way down to Cascades(the only one I've ever witnessed thank god).

I fully realise these gearbox karts are a lot faster than the categories my son would start in (he's 8) but since I saw that crash it really put me off Karts.

So my basic question is how safe is karting for kids, given that as they move up the age ranks they gradually move into faster Karts?

Can anyone give me any reassurance?

[nick997]

Short circuit karting is safe enough with the potential for cracked or broken ribs as the most common "major" injury but that's not to say it's common. I raced direct drive karts for many years with no injuries at all then moved into gearbox karts and cracked ribs twice. But as you mention the speed in gearbox karts is much higher than direct drive - and that's just on short circuits, long circuit is a different matter again.

If you have not already been to a short circuit track then I suggest you do so and have a look at the slower classes like TKM's and take a view on the sort of speeds they are doing. If you do go ahead then buy and wear rib protectors and neck braces as well as the mandatory helmet, suit, gloves, boots.

I'd rather have my daughter driving round a kart track then getting on the back of a road motorbike any day of the week.

Hope this helps.

Nick

Edit: just seen he's 8 years old so look at the Comer classes and I think you will see the speeds are fairly sedate.

Edited by nick997 on Monday 24th September 13:49

[rude-boy]

The 100% honest truth is that any form of motorsport is dangerous and any participant (and their family) needs to accept this before they even start to consider going any further.

You can never say ‘They’ll be fine’ because accidents can and do happen.

That said it, if I had a child who was interested, I wouldn’t hesitate to put them in a kart and would far rather that than, say , horse riding.

[Eifion]

rude-boy said:

The 100% honest truth is that any form of motorsport is dangerous and any participant (and their family) needs to accept this before they even start to consider going any further.

You can never say ‘They’ll be fine’ because accidents can and do happen.

That said it, if I had a child who was interested, I wouldn’t hesitate to put them in a kart and would far rather that than, say , horse riding.

Good point actually, never thought of it that way. I suppose it's best that they have an all-involving interest/hobby than not.

[Piglet]

I think you were very unlucky to witness a fatality at close hand.

I've been involved in running motorsport (not Karting) at first hand for the last 8 or 9 years and despite doing 30+ days a year I've yet to be at a meeting where there was a racing fatality (except for a driver who had a heart attack and then crashed).

That's not to say that it doesn't happen though of course. In the beginning I was very nervous of the risks of motorsport but I have come to realise that given the number of laps completed in a year the percentage of fatalities and even serious injuries is very low. Horseriding is considerably risker.

Without wishing to plug other websites, can I suggest you have a look on www.ten-tenths.com there is a small karting forum there but perhaps more usefully for you, there is a very active marshals' forum. Those Marshals that attend Kart meetings should hopefully be able to give you some useful feedback.

I don't have kids so maybe it's easy for me to say but I'd agree that kids should have hobbies and IMO motorsport helps develop discipline, self belief and a whole host of other skills that I believe are important for kids to learn. They learn that you have to try hard to do well and that you don't always win and that sometimes life isn't fair...(I know many adults who could benefit from these lessons!)

I know a number of young lads who have come up through karting who are all a credit to their families. They each display maturity greater than their age and are very pleasant lads to have around.

If you make contact with the MSA (www.msauk.org) I imagine they have starter packs which will give you info, they will also be able to put you in touch with a club that is local to you.

Lastly - don't underestimate how much time and money this will cost you and the all encompassing effect it will have on your family!!

Oh and as a PS - please don't turn into "Karting Dad" - the kids are mainly fine, it's that parents that are a nightmare

[Eifion]

Piglet said:

Oh and as a PS - please don't turn into "Karting Dad" - the kids are mainly fine, it's that parents that are a nightmare

That's really helpful, thanks very much for your advice. I've got a daughter as well as a son so I'm used to not having any money... don't worry won't become one of those dads-had a belly full of them at kids football.