The main regulations for all motorsport in the UK is found in the Motorsport UK Yearbook, including the Kart Section U. There are important sections for licencing, judicial and safety which apply to kart racing.
Yearbook Amendment Errata No 1
This is the Kart Class Table for the 2023 Classes, including the new ones
Also check back for updates on the Motorsport UK website, go to Resources and tick the Yearbook section then search, as they are ‘live’ documents.
The regulations for the core classes are found in the Karting UK Yearbook. Click here for a copy of the 2023 Karting Yearbook (known as the Gold Book)
And Amendment No 1 for the Karting Yearbook issued 23.01.23
And Amendment No 2 for the Karting Yearbook issued 2.2.2023
Honda Tech Regs V18 Approved for 2023 and an Introduction to the changes for 2021
Note this clarification / explanation issued on 27.6.19 (kept here to assist newcomers):
An updated, more environmentally-compliant Honda T2 engine is now in circulation with engine preparers and will be seen at circuits. The external method of identifying this engine is that the engine number will start with a “4”. The only other obvious identifying factor is that the flywheel magnet might well be mounted in a green coloured holder.
2016 Honda Technical Regulations V11a this version is needed for those with T1 engines.
Smaller or new classes, or variations to the major classes, will have their own set of regulations, usually by way of a KTE (Kart Technical Exemption).
Here are some of the popular KTE’s, some of which have not been renewed recently
Junior Gearbox (2021 draft version V2 now)
450 4-stroke Gearbox (2019 version)
Clubs can also offer the Clubman classes (which are lower powered and do not need the driver to take the ARKS Test so Clubman licence is required and can be taken out on the day of the race if necessary) or Libre classes (which do need the ARKS Test). Between them they cater for engines which are no longer homologated with their own class structure, or clubs wishing to combine a class with several compatible engines or use an engine that may not be in the regular homologated class approvals. Motorsport UK is open to new approvals for Clubman or Libre.
Formula Clubman, and approved variations for Honda Senior, World Formula and Junior Clubman with one Honda engine
Junior Libre with two Honda engines
All of the above regulations can be found on the Motorsport UK Website
The best way to find up to date kart regulations is to visit the Motorsport UK Resource Centre page, and tick “Technical – Kart” for a search
Some other past information which may be of use:
Guidance Sheet for the new bumper regulations
International Regulations and lists of homologated equipment, including racewear, can be found on the CIK Website
Homologations are a method of certifying certain equipment, and are usually valid for a certain number of years, with regular dates (often every three years) for new applications. This method means that the sport has stability as equipment cannot be updated at a whim by the suppliers. The fiche is the technical document describing the equipment in often great detail. Competitors should have copies of the homologations and fiche for the equipment they are using.
Club regulations (supplementary regulations or championships regulations) must be approved by Motorsport UK and must reference which classes are being offered and where the regulations for these classes can be found. Clubs usually put their local regulations on their website, see club listing. The championship regulations will also show how points and penalties are calculated.
Here is the table of ages for the 2023 classes, note that when a regulation states year of birthday it means the calendar year. Download
