A motor racing discipline contested in small open-wheel karts on short purpose-built circuits, often a stepping stone to higher categories.
Origin and rules
Karting was born in 1956 when American Art Ingels built the first kart from spare parts. The sport spread rapidly worldwide and is now overseen by the FIA’s karting commission, which sets technical rules for chassis and engines.
How it plays
Races feature heats and a final on circuits typically under 2 kilometres. Classes range from juniors to high-powered KZ shifter karts. Drivers learn racecraft, overtaking, and consistency in close-quarters wheel-to-wheel competition.
Competition
The FIA Karting World Championship is the top event. Many Formula 1 drivers, including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen, began in karting. National and regional series feed talent into car racing.
Find more sports by letter
Karting starts with K and ends with G. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Karting":