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Although MCO does not have much involvement in Karting, many of its members have extensive experience in the field and are former members of the National Capital Kart Club (NCKC), Ottawa’s only dedicated kart club. Information on all competitive karting can be found on their website.

 Karting can be just for fun and there are indoor places to fun kart such as Top Karting and outdoor places such as Amigo Karting, both in Quebec adjacent to the Ottawa area. There you can rent speedy karts by the lap with your friends. There are also the usual kiddie kart places such as Karters Korner in Stittsville and Thunderbirds on conroy road for small children.

Competitive karting has always been well known as the best and cheapest way to learn the art of racecraft. Children can start a karting career at the age of 8 in Canada and karters race in all age groups for fun and in competition. Karting starts with club racing, and feeds into regional race series and into Canadian and World championships. Most karters graduate to other forms of motorsports already as seasoned driving veterans.

There are different types of kart combinations raced currently from two stroke rotax karts that can reach speeds of 170KPH to the Honda series which reach speeds of 90KPH. Chassis are homologated which means you cannot build one like the old days, now you must buy one already prepared from the manufacturer. Pricing for entry level karting ranges from a used honda package than you can win with for around 2K to a new package for about 4K. Two stroke karts are very expensive with an entry level used kart around 4-5K. Karts can also be rented by the race from dealers and track owners associated with club racing.

There are many race classes in karting from novice for those starting out, to teen and adult classes. A usual schedule contains 12 races plus a fun endurance race at years end. Winners receive trophies and the emphasis is on providing a safe, fun, but competitive environment for adults and a teaching tool for children to learn how to drive.

Karting is also a family affair because of its inherent ability to include children. Quite often you will see a race weekend become a camping affair and camaraderie is very high with whole families attending. BBQ’s and Saturday after practice evening parties are a normal occurrence.