Choosing a kart

Buying your first kart is a big moment in your racing journey and getting it right can make a huge difference to your experience, your learning, and your budget. But with so many options out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. What make and what year chassis and which engine should you choose? New or used? What’s suitable for your age and goals? Don’t worry, I’ve got you. 

Kart reviews coming soon!
 

I’ll be reviewing the most popular karting brands on the market, including Tony Kart, Kosmic, Exprit, EOS, Redspeed, Lando Norris, Gillard, Birel, CRG, Kalì Kart, Kosmic, Sodi Kart, Praga, CS55, DR DRS, RS and more. Expect honest, honest, detailed reviews to help you make the choice that is best for you, what are thr best beginner options and the best competitive karts. 

Please do let me know your favourite kart to ride and why for the review.

Tony Kart (my current kart)

Best for: Beginners to professionals

The benchmark chassis in Rotax racing. Tony Kart is forgiving to drive, easy to set up, has excellent resale value, and has one of the largest dealer and spare parts networks in the world. It suits almost every driving style and is an excellent first kart. If you're unsure what to buy, it's difficult to go wrong with a Tony Kart.

Pros

• Huge dealer network
• Excellent resale value
• Easy to set up
• Competitive everywhere

Cons

• Usually one of the more expensive options

Kosmic

Best for: Drivers wanting OTK performance with distinctive styling

Built by OTK alongside Tony Kart, Kosmic shares the same engineering underneath but with different colours and branding. Performance is virtually identical, so choosing between the two usually comes down to appearance or team preference.

Pros

• Proven race winner
• Excellent parts availability
• Strong resale value

Cons

• Premium price

Exprit

Best for: Club and national racers

Another OTK chassis offering the same proven platform as Tony Kart and Kosmic. Exprit has become increasingly popular in Rotax paddocks and delivers outstanding performance.

Pros

• Easy to drive
• Excellent setup range
• Great support

Cons

• Less common than Tony Kart

Redspeed

Best for: Competitive drivers

Redspeed completes the OTK family and performs at the very highest level. It shares the same proven chassis philosophy and is highly competitive in Junior and Senior Rotax.

Pros

• Championship-winning chassis
• Reliable
• Excellent support

Cons

• Mainly chosen for personal preference or team affiliation

LN Kart

Best for: Modern racers wanting premium OTK engineering

Lando Norris' brand is also produced by OTK, meaning it benefits from the same engineering, components and development as the other OTK chassis. It combines proven performance with distinctive styling.

Pros

• Premium build quality
• Proven OTK platform
• Excellent handling

Cons

• Newer brand with a smaller user base

EOS

Best for: Drivers looking for something different

EOS has built a good reputation for quality and competitiveness. While less common than the larger manufacturers, it is capable of winning races when correctly prepared.

Pros

• Well made
• Competitive
• Good value

Cons

• Smaller dealer network

Gillard

Best for: British club racers

Designed in the UK, Gillard chassis have a loyal following and have won numerous championships. They are particularly popular within British karting.

Pros

• Excellent UK support
• Strong handling
• Competitive

Cons

• Fewer international dealers

Birel Art

Best for: Experienced racers

One of the biggest names in world karting. Birel ART offers exceptional performance and is regularly seen winning at the highest level. Some drivers find it slightly more setup-sensitive than OTK, but in the right hands it is incredibly fast.

Pros

• Elite performance
• World Championship pedigree
• Excellent engineering

Cons

• Can require more setup knowledge

CRG

Best for: Drivers who enjoy tuning and development

CRG is one of karting's most successful manufacturers. It rewards drivers willing to spend time finding the perfect setup and remains a favourite among experienced competitors.

Pros

• Outstanding race pedigree
• Superb engineering
• Very competitive

Cons

• Can be less forgiving for beginners

Kali Kart

Best for: Club racing

A newer name in comparison to the major manufacturers, Kali Kart has been steadily growing in popularity and offers competitive performance with good value for money.

Pros

• Good value
• Competitive chassis

Cons

• Smaller support network

Sodi Kart

Best for: Club racers

Better known for rental karts, Sodi also produces high-quality competition chassis capable of competing at national level.

Pros

• Strong engineering
• Reliable
• Comfortable to drive

Cons

• Less common in UK Rotax paddocks

Praga

Best for: Drivers wanting something different

Praga has enjoyed success internationally and produces fast, well-built chassis. They are often praised for stability and predictable handling.

Pros

• High-quality build
• Competitive
• Distinctive styling

Cons

• Smaller dealer network

CS55

Best for: Carlos Sainz fans

The CS55 range combines premium manufacturing with strong racing pedigree. Competitive, modern and visually striking.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Strong performance

Cons

• Less common than OTK

DR Kart (DRS)

Best for: Club and national competition

Developed by Danilo Rossi, DR Kart has won at international level and offers a responsive chassis suited to ambitious racers.

Pros

• Fast
• Excellent engineering
• Competitive

Cons

• Fewer dealers in some regions

RS Kart

Best for: Budget-conscious racers

RS provides a competitive alternative for club racers looking for solid performance without the premium price tag of some larger manufacturers.

Pros

• Good value
• Reliable
• Competitive

Cons

• Limited support in some areas

Know what's what

Karts are classed by driver age, weight, and experience level, so your first step is figuring out which class you’ll be racing in. This determines everything from chassis size to engine type. 

Next, New vs. Used? Both options have pros and cons:

• New Karts: No surprises on condition, full factory support, latest technology, but far higher upfront cost.
• Used Karts: Much more affordable and great for learning, but be cautious about wear, history, and lots of hidden issues.

Top tips

• If buying used, try to buy from a trusted seller or team.
• If buying used, always check chassis straightness, wear under the floor tray, brake condition, and engine hours.
• Factor in the extras like a trolley/stand for moving the kart
• Factor in the extras like tools and basic spares (chains, sprockets, spark plugs)