Get Started in Karting at Autosport International

02 January 2007

If you have ever dreamt about getting behind the wheel and want to get started in karting, whether you are aged eight or 80, then you need to visit the Karting Area at Autosport International on 13 & 14 January 2007 at the NEC. The world’s biggest motorsport show, Autosport International 2007 is the only UK exhibition where you can find out all you need to know to get in the karting seat, with international racing stars and top industry experts at your disposal.

The Karting Area at Autosport International has brought together a plethora of British and international motor racing stars in a special activity on the show’s Karting Stage to help visitors get started in Karting. The latest Super Aguri F1 Team driver, Britain’s popular Anthony Davidson, will be joined by Britain’s only world motor racing champion Andy Priaulx and former F1 star Johnny Herbert at 11am on Saturday to chat with Karting Stage host Alan Hyde about the best routes into racing.

Joining them will be an array of industry experts to promote all areas of karting and encourage more people into the sport. Find out how these racing stars made their way from the grass roots of motorsport and through the echelons of the sport, plus their top tips for getting on the race track.

For the first time at Autosport International, the Karting Area will boast a special Karting Information Point, which will welcome visitors to the area and help direct you to key karting activities in the Karting Area and across the entire show. Useful copies of the Autosport International floor plan will be available, with karting activity ‘hot spots’ highlighted across the show.

Most importantly at the Karting Information Point, visitors will get the chance to speak with karting experts. No matter what your level of enquiry, whether you wish to start karting purely for leisure, you are interested in arrive-and-drive, or you need to know the best route through the classes to the highest echelons of the sport, specialists will be on hand to help.

For visitors looking to get started in national karting, BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Director Carolynn Hoy and a representative from the Super One series will be available whilst John Vigor from Club 100 will help with the variety of options available for 100cc arrive-and-drive karting. Paul Gladstone from the British Karting Industry Association (BKIA) will also be available.

Graham Smith from the Association of British Kart Clubs (ABkC) will be present at the Karting Information Point whilst you can also find out how to start karting from the ABkC’s stand, number K620. The ABkC will have experts on hand throughout the show to present the wide range of options at your fingertips and supply all the information you need to get you on the racetrack. The ABkC will officially launch its new website www.startkarting.co.uk at Autosport International, offering aspiring karters even more assistance.

The ABkC will be giving away a special DVD guide to starting karting – “Come Kart Racing". Copies of the 12-minute specially commissioned DVD will be given out free to visitors interested in starting kart racing along with a ‘How to Start Kart Racing’ explanatory leaflet. Leave your name and address and you could win a £120 voucher towards a kart test and ARKS day, courtesy of the BKIA.

To help visitors looking to progress from karting to the ranks to British GT racing, Martin Phaff from Ginetta cars will help with information on the current largest single class, one-make racing championship in Europe, the Avo Ginetta G20 championship. The Playstation Ginetta Junior championship also offers 14 to 16-year-olds the opportunity to learn tracks and acquire race craft as they progress to senior motorsport.

The Karting Information Point will feature listings of all Karting exhibitors, in addition to timetables, such as top interviews and activity on the Karting Stage and details of the Manufacturer Displays. Held on the Oxford Karting/Motorsport World indoor karting circuit in Hall 4, Manufacturer Displays will take place at 1.30pm on Saturday and 1.30pm on Sunday, giving visitors the chance to see the latest chassis in action before making their purchase.

Visit Autosport International and find out how easy it is to get on the karting track. Avoid the queues and book online at www.autosport-international.com or by phoning the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244. Tickets are £26.00 per adult including entry to the Live Action Arena, children’s (5 – 15 years) tickets are £18.50.

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