What to Expect at a FAT Karting League Testing Day
ยท 6 min read
New to karting? This is for you.
If your child has never driven a kart before, or they have some experience and want to take their driving to the next level, a FAT Karting League Testing & Coaching Day is a great place to start.
Testing is designed for drivers aged 5–17, from complete beginners through to experienced young drivers. There is no need to own a kart, bring your own equipment or already know how to race.
We provide the kart, racewear, coaching and everything else your driver needs to get on track.
What actually happens on a Testing Day?
Follow a driver through the day, from arriving at the circuit to their final session on track.
1. Arrive, check in and get ready
When you arrive at the circuit, your driver will check in with the FKL team before getting ready for their first session.
We’ll take care of the important bits, including weigh-in, driver briefing and track walk, so your driver knows what to expect before heading out on track.
If it’s their first time in a kart, don’t worry. They’ll be guided through everything they need to know.
2. Get kitted up
You don’t need to arrive with a garage full of racing equipment.
FKL provides the kart and full racewear and equipment needed for the session.
That means you can turn up, get kitted out and focus on the important bit: driving.
3. Multiple sessions on track
Testing isn’t just one go around the circuit.
Drivers get four 9-minute on-track sessions, giving them multiple opportunities to build confidence, put their coaching into practice and improve throughout the day.
The first session is about getting comfortable. As the day progresses, the focus shifts towards developing technique, speed and racecraft.
For a beginner, that might mean learning how to control the kart, understand the track and build confidence.
For a more experienced driver, it could mean refining racing lines, braking, overtaking and carrying more speed through corners.
4. Coaching after every run
The biggest difference between simply going karting and an FKL Testing Day is what happens between the sessions.
Drivers receive coaching and feedback after every run, helping them understand what they’re doing well and what they can work on next.
Level 1
Control, awareness & safety. Building the fundamentals and becoming comfortable and confident in the kart.
Level 2
Lines, overtaking & flags. Developing faster driving techniques and understanding what is happening around you on track.
Level 3
Starts, defensive driving & racecraft. Putting those skills into a competitive environment and developing the techniques needed for racing.
The aim isn’t simply to tell a young driver to “go faster”. It’s to help them understand why they’re fast, where they can improve and how to apply those skills on track.
5. Performance analysis and reviews
Every session is an opportunity to learn.
Drivers receive performance analysis and reviews throughout the day, helping turn each run into something they can learn from.
That means the day is about more than lap times. It’s about building skills, confidence and understanding.
6. Back out on track and put it into practice
Each session gives drivers another opportunity to put their coaching into practice, try something new and see how they improve.
What if my child has never been karting before?
That’s exactly who Testing is for. You don’t need previous racing experience, and your child doesn’t need to arrive already knowing how to race.
What if they’re already an experienced driver?
The coaching adapts to the driver’s level, so the focus can move from basic kart control to more advanced lines, overtaking, braking, starts and racecraft.
More than just a day of karting
Testing is the first step into the wider FAT Karting League pathway. Drivers can continue into Practice and racing, progressing through the training levels as their skills develop.
Everything you need to get started
- Four 9-minute on-track sessions.
- Coaching and feedback after every run.
- Performance analysis and reviews.
- Full racewear and equipment provided.
- Suitable for ages 5–17.
Ready to get on track?
Find your nearest Testing session