What it really costs

Where the money goes

Season prices vary hugely between championships and teams, so we won't pretend there's one number. What we can do is list everything you need to budget for. The team's headline package price is rarely the whole story.

Before you race

• Motorsport UK race starter pack, which includes your first licence (£119 at the time of writing)
• ARDS course and test fees, set by each school
• Medical, if you need one
• Car-spec race kit: overalls, boots, gloves, helmet and FHR device. Your kart kit may not meet car racing standards, so check
• Pre-season testing

The season

• Team package or arrive-and-drive fees
• Championship registration and race entry fees
• Tyres, if not included
• In-season test days
• Coaching and data analysis

The ones people forget

• Crash damage. This is the one that catches families out. Find out exactly how your team handles it.
• Travel, fuel and hotels, as rounds can be the length of the country apart
• Food and paddock costs across long race weekends
• Time off work

Budget planner

Put in your own estimates or the figures from team quotes. It adds up as you type and remembers your numbers on this device.

Funding & sponsorship

Very few junior drivers are fully funded. Most families pay for it themselves, with some help from local businesses. We'll be adding a proper guide to finding and keeping sponsors. In the meantime, Zenico Racing has advice on sponsorship for karting families that works just as well for cars.