Competitive Kart Racing

It is past noon on a balmy Saturday and there is a palpable buzz of excitement around us. No, we aren’t drowned in the scores of zealous deal hunters at the H&M outpost on Orchard Road. This is different. In the stands of Kartright Speedway in Jurong, heaps of spectators train their cameras on the track as several karts manoeuvre into the turn with remarkable finesse, each driver careful not to let his competitors slip pass. Out of the turn, the enthusiastic crowd is quick to respond to the exuberant roar of the engines with cheers as the karts rapidly accelerate into the distance.

[Video by AutoInc] Competitive Kart Racing with Gabriella Teo

The only permanent kart circuit in Singapore, Kartright Speedway houses a 750m track which has hosted numerous competitive kart races. We are at the last round of the AutoInc Singapore Karting Championship (SKC) 2011 where the heated competition means the drivers are pushing aggressively for a podium in the qualifying race. Held over 5 weekends from April to November, the championship attracted over 50 racers competing in 5 classes. At 12 years old, Gabriella Teo is one of the youngest racers (we're told that the youngest is only 8!) and one of the only 3 female drivers in this male dominated sport. Encouraged by her parents, she decided to move into competitive kart racing after discovering her interest in hobby karting.

Indeed, the low entry point for drivers translates into a youth friendly sport where a convivial mood sets the tone for each race. Competitive kart racing is widely regarded as a stepping stone for drivers hoping to compete in Formula One – the zenith of motorsports. Some of the most famous successes include 7 time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and current Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel. The former won his first karting championship at 15 and made his debut in Formula One at 22 while the later made his mark at 14 and joined Formula One at 19. Closer to home, AutoInc SKC ambassador Yuey Tan is challenging for honours in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

More and more apparently, competitive kart racing is comfortable with ensconcing itself in the mould of its more celebrated mentor that is Formula One. The once prim bodies of the karts have been mopped with labels of various brands like sport and luxury automobile broker AutoInc which sponsors the title for SKC and Xinya Media which broadcasts the races on SingTel mio TV. Armed with powerful karts capable of reaching speeds of up to 120km/h, competitive drivers also don protective garments and helmets for safety reasons.    

We caught up with Anthony Seow and 16 year old Thaddeus Lee, veteran class champion and senior class champion respectively to talk about competitive kart racing.

What got you into competitive kart racing?

AS: I was actually introduced to the sport by my older brother. I used to race at Kallang but that was over 20 years ago. I’ve always loved cars and racing so karting is a perfect sport for me. There was a kart circuit at Kart World near Yuan Ching Road (which is now defunct) but the track wasn’t very good so I didn’t take it up. When I saw this track (at Kartright Speedway), I knew I had to take part.

TL: I started with hobby karting and I kept practicing. My father soon saw that I was good enough for competitive kart racing and he decided to put me in a race in Malaysia. From there, competitive kart racing took off for me.

Do you think about anything else during the race aside from the championship?

AS: I would say that I’ve never really bothered about the championship. When I am on the track, I focus on the race itself and try to do my best.

TL: Many things happen on the track during the race so there needs to be a great level of concentration. Good reflexes are needed to avoid any accident. If someone spins out of control, I have to be quick enough to avoid the kart.

Thaddeus Lee

What advice can you give to aspiring competitive kart racers?

AS: I would highly encourage people to take this sport up. There is a certain thrill to it that you can’t get anywhere else – unless of course, if you have the money to spend on race cars which are a lot more expensive. In fact, karting is one of the cheapest motorsports you can do and you’re still getting the same kind of action. And it’s suitable for kids!

TL: It’s a very fun sport. It’s also a rather self-driven sport that builds your discipline because you need patience to overtake another racer. The acceleration of the kart is very fast – lots of g-force involved so it’s actually quite a physically demanding sport. It’s definitely a good form of exercise for everyone.

What can you tell potential kart racing fans about the attraction and excitement of the sport?

AS: The sport is really bumper to bumper, rubber to rubber racing. It’s intense.

TL: I agree. Karts are usually only seconds apart so the wins are often close calls.  

If you are keen on competitive kart racing, click HERE for more details and registration. If you want to get started on hobby karting, click HERE.

Story by Loh Yong Jian