You've done the karting. What now?
Every season, karting parents ask us the same things. When should they move to cars? What's the ARDS test? Which championship? And what's it actually going to cost? This site is where we're putting the answers.
Written by parents, for parents
Zenico Racing started with two dads and their lads karting for fun. Over the years we've made plenty of mistakes, and helped a lot of families avoid making the same ones.
The step from karts into cars is the biggest one yet. The money goes up, the rules change and nearly everyone you speak to is trying to sell you something. We want to give you a straight, unbiased starting point, so you can walk into a team's awning already knowing the right questions to ask.
Follow Zak's journey
For years, more than 15,000 subscribers on the Zenico Racing YouTube channel have followed Zak's karting, from club races to the national championships.
Now we're starting the next chapter: karting to cars. Zak turned 16 in September 2026 and is going straight into senior car racing, with a 2027 MINI Challenge ClubSport season for Daniel Truman Racing. We'll be vlogging all of it, including the car tests, the ARDS licence, the costs and the mistakes, so you can see what the move up really looks like.
Episode 1: Zak's first test in a Fiesta ST race car at Blyton Park, hitting 90mph first time out, with coaching from Olly Allen Racing. Read Zak's story.
Subscribe on YouTubeZak's 2027 calendar
Zak's first season in cars: five rounds of the MINI Challenge ClubSport with Daniel Truman Racing. Come and watch, or add a weekend to your calendar.
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Round 1
Brands Hatch Indy
3–4 Apr 2027
Brands Hatch, Fawkham, Kent
Add to calendar -
Round 2
Snetterton 300
1–2 May 2027
Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk
Add to calendar -
Round 3
Pembrey
26–27 Jun 2027
Pembrey Circuit, Carmarthenshire
Add to calendar -
Round 4
Donington Park National
7–8 Aug 2027
Donington Park, Derbyshire
Add to calendar -
Round 5
Thruxton
28–29 Aug 2027
Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire
Add to calendar
Dates from the official MINI Challenge ClubSport calendar. Subject to change.
The ages that matter
Car racing in the UK opens up at 14. These are the key ages set out by Motorsport UK for circuit racing.
Source: Motorsport UK. Individual championships set their own exact age windows, so always check their regulations.
The guides
Karting first
The UK karting ladder, from club racing to the British Kart Championships, and what it gives your driver before cars.
Read the guide →The pathway
When to move up, what the options are at each age, and the order to do things in.
Read the guide →Licences & the ARDS test
The starter pack, the written and track tests, medicals, and what the examiner is looking for.
Read the guide →Championships
Junior series from 14 and senior series from 16, plus what to ask a team before you sign.
Read the guide →Scholarships
How car racing scholarships work, what assessors look for, and the ones currently open to karters.
Read the guide →Costs & budget planner
Where the money goes in a season of car racing, and a simple planner to add up your own numbers.
Plan your budget →Schools & teams
ARDS race schools, teams, test days and coaches that help karters into cars, sorted by region.
Find one near you →For schools, teams & sponsors
Help karting families take the next step? Get listed, or work with us and Zenico Racing.
Work with us →
Still in karts?
Karting to Cars is the sister site of Zenico Racing. If your driver isn't ready to move up yet, Zenico has years of advice for karting families, from buying your first kart to race day prep.
Visit Zenico Racing