Kart Racing in South Africa
Karting is the foundation of motorsport and is widely recognised as the first step towards professional racing. Many Formula 1, GT and touring car drivers began their careers in karting.
South Africa offers two premier karting championships:
- Rotax Max Challenge South Africa (RMC SA)
- ROK Cup South Africa
Visit Your Local Kart Circuit
The best way to begin is by attending a local kart race meeting. Spend time in the paddock, speak to competitors, teams and officials, and learn about the different classes and equipment.
For a list of clubs and circuits, visit the MSA website.
Choose Your Championship
South Africa offers two National recognised karting championships:
Rotax Max Challenge South Africa (RMC SA)
The Rotax Max Challenge South Africa consists of the following classes:
- Bambino (5–9 years)
- Micro MAX (7–11 years)
- Mini MAX (9–13 years)
- Junior MAX (12–14 years)
- Senior MAX (14 years and older)
- DD2 (15 years and older)
- DD2 Masters (32 years and older)
ROK Cup South Africa
ROK Cup South Africa caters for a range of age groups and classes, including:
- Mini ROK
- Mini Rok (9-13 years)
- Mini Rok U10 (7-10 years)
- OKJ (11-14 years)
- OKN (14 years and older)
Class regulations and technical specifications are available on the MSA Website
Purchasing a Kart
Once you have selected your class, you will need a kart that complies with the regulations for your chosen championship.
You may purchase either:
- A new kart
- A quality used kart
The Chairman or representatives of the various karting associations can assist you in sourcing a suitable kart.
All karts must comply with:
- Motorsport South Africa General Competition Rules (GCRs)
- South African Karting Regulations
- Rok or Rotax Technical Regulations
Every kart is inspected by MSA scrutineers before competition. Non-compliant karts will not be permitted to race.
Safety Equipment
Competitors are required to have approved safety equipment, including:
- Racing suit
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Racing boots
- Neck collar (where required)
- Rib protector (recommended/required depending on class)
Always ensure your equipment complies with the latest MSA regulations.
Join a Karting Club
Membership of a local karting club is required to compete and provides access to practice days, club racing and technical support.
Obtain Your MSA Competition Licence
Before applying for an MSA Karting Competition Licence, you must successfully complete the Karting Sporting Regulations (SSR) examination, based on the Motorsport South Africa General Competition Rules (GCR) Handbook.
The MSA Karting Sporting Coordinator can assist you with arranging the examination and guide you through the licencing process.
For more information, please get in contact with our Karting Co-Ordinator Allison Vogelsang on allison@motorsport.co.za