oWNER dRIVER fEES
Annual Wombwell Karting Membership (Jan – Dec ) – £45.00
Open Testing – £55 Members | £65 non members
Race Day Entry – £65 Members Only
Transponder Hire – £10
Weekend Deal – £105 when booking test day and race day at the same time via AlphaTiming. Offer valid up to the Wendnesday prior to event.
GETTING STARTED IN KARTING AT WOMBWELL
So, you’re thinking of getting into karting? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a parent of a young racer, a teenager dreaming of motorsport, or an adult wanting to race competitively, Wombwell Karting is the perfect place to begin.
We’ve supported drivers from their very first laps right through to national championships — even watched them progress to Formula 1.
This page breaks down exactly what you need to know to get started at our owner driver kart circuit.
who can race?
We welcome owner drivers from age 6 and up, and run classes for:
- Bambino (ages 6–7)
- Cadet (ages 8–12)
- Junior (ages 12–15)
- Senior (ages 15+)
If you’re unsure what class you fall into, visit our Kart Classes & Age Guide or send us a message via our Enquiry Form.
your first steps
Here’s a simple roadmap to help you get started karting at Wombwell.
You don't need a licence to race here
Wombwell Karting is an Independent Kart Racing (IKR) circuit. That means you don’t need an ARKS licence or Motorsport UK registration to take part.
IKR is perfect for newcomers, families, and private kart owners looking for competitive racing without the extra costs and complexity of national-level events. It’s all the fun and challenge of karting — just more accessible.
Which Class & Kart?
We run a wide range of owner driver classes, including:
- Bambino (ages 6–7)
- Cadet (ages 8–12)
- Junior (ages 12–15)
- Senior (ages 15+)
We welcome karts from Rotax, IAME, Honda, ProKart, and Electric classes. If you’re not sure what you need, just get in touch and we’ll help.
Rookie Racing
If you’re not ready to invest in your own kart just yet, Rookie Racing is a brilliant way to get behind the wheel and start racing without the upfront costs.
It’s a professionally run, arrive-and-drive championship that lets you experience competitive karting using their equipment. You simply turn up, race, and learn — no kart ownership or maintenance required.
Rookie Racing is ideal for:
- Drivers wanting to build race experience before buying a kart
- Families exploring whether karting is the right fit
- Anyone keen to get on track quickly and affordably
Rookie Racing hosts rounds all over the UK — including right here at Wombwell — so it’s a great stepping stone into owner driver racing.
Join a Test Day
Before you race, it’s a great idea to join one of our Open Test Days.
Not ready to get behind the wheel yet? No problem, why not just come down and watch?
Meet our drivers, chat with their families, and speak to the team at Wombwell, we’re always happy to answer any questions and help you get started.
Test days run from 10am to 6pm (light permitting) and are open to all owner drivers looking to practise, get familiar with the circuit, or shake down their kart before race day.
Enter a Race Event
Once you’re ready, you can book onto one of our race weekends.
We run events for all levels of experience. Each race weekend includes Saturday testing and Sunday racing.
Book your ARKS
While you don’t need an ARKS licence to race at Wombwell, because we’re an IKR circuit, some drivers may still choose to complete the ARKS (Association of Racing Kart Schools) exam.
If your long-term goal is to compete in Motorsport UK-sanctioned events at national level, then sitting your ARKS test is a good step. It covers racecraft, safety, and track awareness, and gives you a Motorsport UK competition licence.
But if you’re looking to enjoy competitive racing at club level, Wombwell’s IKR format means you can get started without the test, saving time and cost.