September may be back upon us, but in motorsport, your learning isn’t restricted to the classroom… In fact, our sport is unique as we actively promote young people to get behind the wheel – often years before they are legally able to drive on the road.

Competing in motorsport from a young age can teach basic car control skills and enable young drivers to be safer when they do learn to drive.

So, if you’ve got a young Sir Stirling Moss or Lando Norris at home, here’s just some of the ways that they can get involved and join a welcoming community across the UK.

Karting

Karting is famed for being the pathway into circuit racing, with many of Britain’s most loved stars having started out in the discipline. The Bambino karting class is specifically designed for 6–8-year-olds to get their first experience of karting. The class uses a kart that is the correct size and not too heavy for young drivers. At eight years old, children can move into the Cadet karting class.

Once a child is eight-years-old there are many different karting championships available to them, such as the cadet karting class in the British Indoor Karting Championship, and British Karting Championships.

Not to mention, this year Motorsport UK launched its very own Girls Karting Academy, inviting the next generation of female talent into motorsport– it’s fun, for girls aged eight-12 years old only and family friendly. With taster days at TeamSport karting venues around the UK, find out more about how to get involved here.

Dan Parker, Head of Karting, Motorsport UK, comments, “Karting is the ideal discipline if your child wants to get behind the wheel and experience motorsport first-hand. Our UK-wide community is very welcoming and with initiatives such as our Girls Karting Academy we are shaping the future of the sport, so that anyone can get involved.”

Rally

Believe it or not, budding Road Rally navigators can involved from age 12 onwards, using Ordnance Survey maps, strategy and skill to support the driver in completing the route.

In Stage Rallying, Championships such as the Formula 1000 Junior Rally Championship and the Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge allow those aged 14-17 to compete as a driver on stage rally events in cars up to one litre in capacity. From 14 children can also navigate on single-venue rallies.

Jonathan Jackson, Head of Rallying, Motorsport UK, adds, “I first tried out reading a map whilst in school and it has shaped my personal and professional career. Rallying has a rich history in this country and whilst it might not be as high-profile as other motorsport disciplines, Rally is always on the lookout for future talent.”

Cross Country and Car Trials

From the age of 13, a child can drive on a Tyro Trial. Tyro events are aimed at novice drivers, with gentle off-road sections that are taxing enough to get to grips with the car and are designed to be non-damaging (reckless driving aside). A child may passenger on a Tyro Trial from the age of 12.

At 14-years-old a child can get behind the wheel and take to the hills as part of a Car Trial.

Steve Blakeman, Head of Cross Country and Clubsport, adds, “We would love to see more young people get involved in Cross Country and Trials disciplines – they are very affordable and a lot of fun, and are a regular in motorsport calendars around the UK.”

Junior Dragsters

The Junior Dragsters class invites children from eight-years-old to take on the quarter-mile strip in miniature versions of top-fuel cars.

AutoSOLO/Production Car Autotest

AutoSOLOs and Autotests are a great way to experience competitive motorsport on a budget. Drivers memorise and complete a test laid out by markers against the clock. Drivers can be as young as 13 and can compete in a standard road car.

Junior Hill Climb & Sprint

Hill Climb and Sprinting are popular disciplines that see competitors complete a course against the clock. Children can get behind the wheel from 14-years-old at junior events.

Sam Walker, Volunteer Development Manager, concludes, “My family comes from a lineage of Hill Climbers and it’s inspired me to turn my passion into my day job. Hill Climb is a great way to learn new skills behind the wheel and try out something completely different.”

Race

From 14-years-old a child can compete in junior race championships, such as Ginetta Junior, and from 15-years-old a child can compete in British F4.

Since 2022, Motorsport UK has organised and promoted the championship, which features leading teams and at a competitive price enables drivers to race on some of the most challenging and renowned circuits in the world. This year saw Brits including Ella Lloyd, Rowan Campbell-Pilling and Thomas Bearman take to the iconic Silverstone Circuit for the very first time.

Passenger

From two-years-old children can sit as a rear passenger on Road and Navigational Rallies, Car Trials, Classic Trials, and Cross Country Tyro events. At 12-years-old, one can sit as front passenger on a Car Trial or Production Car Autotest.

At 14-years-old a child can passenger on classic, cross country, and sporting trials.

Looking to get involved, unsure where to start? Our Motorsport UK Get Started website has all this information, and more, for those who want to begin their motorsport journey.

Racing, rallying and karting are just the tip of the motorsport iceberg. There are thousands of events each year across an array of different disciplines, offering something for every budget and background.

Buckle up…

More information here.