Questions and answers.
How much will the first year cost, all in?
It depends on your child: the class, the number of training sessions and races, your own equipment or a rental. We explain in advance what the figure is made of and why it is what it is. As a guide: the first year on rental or club equipment is €3,000–8,000; a full national series season on your own equipment is €8,000–20,000.
How does payment work?
We work with prepayment: part of the costs is fixed and paid in advance, before the season or 2–3 weeks before a round. That gives us time to submit the entries, prepare the equipment and organise the trip.
Can we try first without buying anything?
Yes, that is the right order: the simulator, then a trial day. We decide how best to run it for your child: on team karts or on partner karts. The decision to buy comes only after several training sessions, and it is yours.
From what age do you take children?
From 5 to 17. The youngest start with children’s karts and the simulator. A seven-year-old starts in the children’s class; an eleven-year-old prepares for OK-N Junior or OK-Junior, which take drivers from 12. Rotax is an affordable way to race at any stage and the most affordable way into competitive karting at world level.
How will you tell whether my child has talent?
Not by one fast lap. We look at consistency, progress from session to session, the ability to listen, racecraft in close battles and how much your child wants it. Every 3 months you get our assessment.
Will you tell me honestly if there are no prospects?
Yes. If a competitive career is not in sight, we will say so directly and suggest other routes: amateur racing, sim racing, closed-wheel racing.
Why do different drivers have different budgets?
Because a budget is made of specific things: the class and its equipment, the number of tests and races, the distance to the tracks, new or used equipment, the goals for the season. We explain which of them your child needs and why.
Who pays if my child crashes the kart?
You are responsible for damaged equipment. We try to keep repairs as cheap for you as possible.
You sell karts. Why should I believe your advice is not about making a sale?
Because we say so openly and give you a choice: we explain our recommendation, always offer a used or rental option, and you can buy equipment anywhere. You can join the team with it too, if it fully meets the requirements of our chief engineer.
Can we start with used or rented equipment?
Yes, we think that is a sensible start. We sell used karts to own, and we rent out new and used team karts for training and national series rounds, together with an engineer-mechanic and a coach. When your child outgrows the class, we will sell the old kart.
What is the three-year plan, and what does each step cost?
Year 1: training and first races, €3,000–8,000. Year 2: a full national series season, €8,000–20,000. Year 3: 1–3 international events if the results are there, €20,000–50,000. These are guides. Every move up follows a criterion written down in advance, and we build the strategy several years ahead.
Will you help us get a scholarship or a free season?
We will help you prepare and apply, but we do not guarantee a place: there are only a handful. The realistic options are the FIA Karting Academy Trophy (through your federation) and the KartSim Champions of the Future eSports selection.
How do we combine racing with school?
National series races are at weekends, and trips to Greece add a Friday: about 6 missed school days a season. We organise training on days without school and in the holidays. If a competition falls on a school day, the federation issues a note for school. If training falls on a school day, the decision and the responsibility are yours. If schoolwork suffers, we reduce the load.
Who will be with my child at a race?
Every driver has their own engineer-mechanic, a highly qualified specialist responsible only for your child’s equipment. A coach looks after no more than 3 drivers, usually 1–2, so there is time for each of them. You know their names in advance. Briefings and debriefs are open to you.
What racewear is required?
A helmet with valid homologation, a CIK-FIA suit, gloves, boots and a rib protector; we recommend neck protection. You can buy it anywhere, and we check the size and homologation free of charge. Homologation requirements keep changing, so we keep an eye on our drivers’ racewear and tell you in time when something needs replacing.
What happens if the money runs out or my child burns out?
Every 3 months there is a decision point, and a break there is a normal option, not a failure. If the kart is yours, we will sell it.
We live outside the EU. Do you work with us?
Yes. We help with the licence, the documents and the travel calendar, and the equipment can wait for your child at our bases in EU countries. We speak Russian, Bulgarian and English.
We are from Russia. Can my child race in Europe?
In August 2026 the FIA lifted its restrictions, and neutral status is no longer required. But federations and organisers may have their own rules, and visas for Russian citizens are now mostly single-entry, so we plan the calendar early. Getting a Schengen visa is not easy; if you wish, our partners can assist talented athletes. The licence is issued by the RAF.
We are from Kazakhstan. Which federation issues the licence?
The federation of Kazakhstan: it determines which country your child represents, and nominations to FIA programmes go through it. We will help with the documents and with a Schengen visa for the trips.
When can my child move up to Formula 4?
Only from the age of 15: that is an FIA rule. A season costs €145,000–250,000+, so we prepare in advance: results, scholarships, partners and a fallback route.