Beginner’s Guide: Your First Go-Karting Session Explained

Leisure Karting: An Activity Accessible to Everyone

Go-karting is one of the few activities that delivers thrills without requiring prior experience. Whether you’re an adult or a teenager, male or female, sporty or not, a rental karting session is designed so that anyone can have fun in complete safety.

But if you’ve never done it before, you might feel a little nervous: is it dangerous? Do you need a driver’s license? Is it physically demanding? The good news: no, no, and… not really. Here’s what a typical leisure go-karting session looks like, from the moment you arrive at the track until the end of the race.

1. Booking and Arrival

If you’re coming on a weekend or during the holidays, book online to avoid queues or surprises. Many tracks run sessions by time slot (e.g. 2 p.m., 3 p.m.…). Simply arrive about 20–30 minutes in advance.

On arrival, the staff welcomes you and asks you to fill out a registration form (often via tablet or paper). You’ll give your name, height, and sometimes your level of experience. You’ll then receive a ticket or wristband to identify your session.

2. Equipment: Helmet, Neck Brace, Race Suit (Depending on the Track)

Before going on track, you need to gear up:

• Helmet is mandatory. It’s provided, but you can bring your own. A hygienic balaclava is often required (sold for around €2 if you don’t have one).
• Neck brace is mandatory for kids and sometimes for adults. It wraps around the neck for protection.
• Race suit is optional depending on the track. It protects your clothes from dirt or friction.

Wear something comfortable: pants and closed sneakers. No sandals or long skirts.

3. Safety Briefing (Mandatory for Beginners)

Before every session, staff gathers drivers (groups of 10–20) for a briefing. It lasts about 5 minutes and covers:

• How the kart works (accelerator on the right, brake on the left, no clutch pedal)
• Driving rules on track (no bumping, stay calm, never get out of the kart)
• Flag meanings (yellow = slow down, red = stop, checkered = end of session, black = exclusion)
• What to do in case of breakdown or going off-track

If it’s your first time, listen carefully. Even though it’s fun, karting is still a motorsport—it’s best to start with the right basics.

4. Getting into the Kart and Starting Up

Once the briefing is over, staff calls you to the track. Each kart is numbered: you’re told which one to take. Setup is simple:

• Your seat is adjusted so you can comfortably reach the pedals
• You’re shown how to start (usually automatic: release the brake and it goes)
• Your seat belt is checked (not all karts have them, but most do)

Once everyone’s ready, the staff waves you out of the pits… and off you go!

5. The Session (Usually 8 to 12 Minutes)

A standard session lasts 8–12 minutes. It may sound short, but it’s more than enough for a first try—you’ll get tired quickly! During this time:

• You complete as many laps as possible
• Your lap times are recorded
• There’s usually no official ranking, unless you’re in a race event (rare for beginners)

Drive at your own pace. There’s no need to go flat out if you’re not comfortable. Focus on staying smooth and concentrated.

6. Signals and Safety During the Race

Track marshals watch every corner. In case of an issue, they use flags to communicate:

• Yellow flag: slow down, incident on track
• Red flag: stop immediately (usually for a major incident)
• Black flag: dangerous driving, return to pits
• Checkered flag: end of session

If you spin or break down, stay in your kart, raise your hand, and wait for assistance.

7. End of Session and Returning to the Pits

When the checkered flag is shown, finish your lap and return calmly to the pits. Once stopped:

• Staff helps you exit
• You return the helmet and equipment
• You can check your times on a screen or printed sheet

This is often the funniest moment: “I thought I was faster,” “Did you see how you passed me?” etc.

8. Your Results: Understanding Lap Times

After your session, you’ll get a ranking (online or printed) with:

• Your best lap
• Your average lap time
• The number of laps completed
• Your position compared to other drivers in the session

Don’t worry if you’re last: the goal is to have fun, not to become a pro on day one!

9. And Afterwards? A Rematch, Maybe?

Most people leave with only one thought: to do it again. Tracks know this and often offer 2– or 3-session packages at reduced prices.

If you took it easy the first time, you can push harder on the next. Karting is a sport of learning—you’ll improve quickly with practice.

10. Should You Be Afraid? Is It Dangerous?

A common question. The answer: no, not if you follow the rules. Rental karting is highly supervised:

• Karts are speed-limited
• Tracks are protected with soft barriers
• Staff intervenes immediately if something goes wrong
• You race with people at your level (especially in beginner sessions)

Serious accidents are extremely rare. The biggest risk? Falling… in love with karting.

11. Tips for a Successful First Session

• Stay relaxed: you don’t need to be a racer. Just be curious.
• Don’t try to go fast right away: learn the racing lines, braking, and corners first.
• Stay focused: a moment’s inattention can make you miss a corner or get blocked by others.
• Watch others: you’ll learn a lot by following the right lines of more experienced drivers.
• Drink water: it may seem trivial, but karting makes you sweat.

12. Nervous or Not Confident?

That’s okay. There’s always a first time. Track staff are there to reassure you. If you’re uncomfortable driving with others, ask for a quieter session early or late in the day.

And above all, remember: nobody is judging you. The goal is fun, not the podium.

Conclusion: An Experience Everyone Should Try at Least Once

Trying karting for the first time is like diving into the deep end… except it’s a pool of adrenaline and fun. It’s surprising, a little intense, but guaranteed to leave you smiling. And once you’ve taken the plunge, chances are it won’t be your last time.

So, ready to book your first session? Find a track near you on Go-Karting.eu and get started!