In the interest of fun and safety, we are providing this information to all who are interested in racing go-karts in a competition style environment. While kart racing is indeed a fun and adventurous motorsport, it can also be dangerous, and even deadly, if some precautions aren't observed when a driver is sitting behind the wheel. Often times, kart racing is a beginning stage to performing in larger and more competitive automobile races, so the ground rules learned now will certainly follow the young racer into a future career.
While most of the safety rules will remain the same in any racing venue, every track is unique, and therefore each one has a few rules of it's own to be followed. This page contains the general rules of kart racing and the meanings of the flags used to signal the events of a race. All racers must know and obey the flags that are waved at them by the track officials as the karts make laps around the track.
General Kart Safety Rules:
Drivers must wear appropriate safety equipment and attire for racing. This includes a SNELL approved helmet, a collar/neck brace, a sturdy leather jacket, and racing gloves. If the helmet does not have a built-in face shield, safety goggles must be worn.
All steering component bolts, front wheel nuts, two brake rotor bolts, brake caliper bolts, master cylinder bolts, and steering wheel bolts must be safety wired or pinned.
Rear axle must be a “live” axle with both wheels keyed and safety wired circlips on both ends.
No on-board weight jackers capable of being used by driver while racing.
Weights must be safety wired, pinned, or two nuts used with the top nut being a safety lock style nut. Up to five pound weights can use a 5/16” bolt; up to ten pounds a 3/8” bolt; over ten pounds must use two 3/8” bolts. Weights must be painted white or bright orange so as to be seen by officials and other drivers should they come loose from the kart and fall onto the track.
No loose weights carried by driver allowed.
Champ karts must be equipped with a five or six point safety harness and arm restraints. Driver’s head must be below top of cage.
All 4cycle engines must have a functional oil catch can.
Bumpers, bodywork, side panels, etc. must be securely attached. Bodies and panels must be plastic or fiberglass, no metal pieces.
Other rules and safety precautions apply, and are different with each venue. Check with your track's officials for details regarding your track's policies and procedures. Remember to always play fair, drive safe, and have fun!
The Flags & Their Meanings
Checkered Flag ~ Every racer's dream and the reason for racing. The checkered flag indicates that the race is over and a winner has been declared. All drivers must pass the checkered flag to receive a finishing position in the race. The first driver to pass the checkered flag is the first place winner of that race.
White Flag ~ Signals the last lap of the race has begun. The first driver to pass the waving white flag is in the lead position.
Green Flag ~ The green flag signals the start or the re-start of a race or qualifying heat. At the green flag, drivers are allowed to give full acceleration to the engine and begin their aggressive driving.
Yellow Flag ~ A yellow flag indicates a caution situation has taken place. It could be an accident, a spin-out, debris on the track, or another hazardous situation. Under a yellow flag, drivers must release their foot from the throttle and bring their cars to a slower parade pace. During the caution laps, drivers are permitted to keep their vehicles in motion, but only at a slow pace until the green flag is waved. Drivers must also be keenly aware of the situation that caused the yellow flag, and drive safely and slowly around the danger.
Red Flag ~ The red flag means all drivers are to STOP immediately. There has been a serious situation on the track that requires immediate emergency action and drivers need to be still in their karts until instructed to do otherwise.
Black Flag ~ As soon as a driver sees the black flag waved at his/her kart, it means that the track officials want that kart to leave the track immediately. This can be due to a safety issue with the kart, or with the driving actions of the kart's driver. Any kart receiving a black flag must leave the track at once.
During a race, a heat, or hot laps, a driver may see the flagman holding the black flag folded flat against the flagstaff, and pointing it toward the kart. When this occurs, the flagman is giving the driver a warning that an obvious rule violation, such as rough driving or unsportsmanlike conduct, has occurred. A repeat of the offense, or another offense, can cause the black flag to be waved.
