MSA outlines new intermediate karting class for UK

A revised UK karting structure for 2018 has been proposed by the MSA, featuring a new Intermediate category between Cadets and Juniors.

Intermediate classes would cater for 10-14 year-olds and if the changes are approved the governing body will issue a tender for an Intermediate engine that would be fitted to a kart with a 950mm wheelbase.

The plan also includes reducing the upper age limit for Cadets to 12 years old instead of 13 and increasing the minimum age for Juniors to 12. It has been created to try to reduce the gulf between Cadet and Junior classes, encouraging more drivers to remain in the sport.

“Cadets is currently for 8-13 year-olds but they change and mature an awful lot [in that time] so from that point of view there’s a big variance in the same bit of kit,” said MSA kart committee chairman Nigel Edwards. “The plan is to try and introduce those kids into something a bit more than a Cadet when they get to 11. Kids are put off by making the jump into Juniors.”

Edwards added that the proposals are not set in stone and that successful Cadet series need to be protected.

“IAME Cadet, for example, is a fantastic class and we need to be careful we don’t spoil that,” he said. “What we want is more people karting and this is the structure we think will work for karting.” ● The Chairman of the Association of British Kart Clubs resigned last week after nearly three years in the role. Colin Wright cited being unable to get the organisation to help smaller clubs more as one of his reasons for stepping down.