Having just been karting with my sons for the past year I can give you my experiences. Again my opinion only.
Under 8s: I have one son in bambinos. There are several groups including "racing for buttons" that run evening sessions at tracks such as Whilton and PFI. They also run cadets on an arrive and drive or owner driver basis. These are great sessions for after work and school.
Generally learners who get more confidence running against other learners.
Under 11s: my other son started in Honda cadets which is I think a great class for starters. Simple engines, start first time, so you dont have to worry about that. Big grids all over the country. However, we did one race and it was clear that at 11 we were well over the weight limit and way too tall for the kart.
Nothing wrong with Iames just a few other things to think about in terms of engine set up.
I like two strokes so wanted to look for a two stroke route for an 11 year old.
Over 11s: I could see three routes here if you want to stay MSA and two stroke - TKM, Mini-Max or Junior Blue, all two strokes.
We went Junior Blue as I liked the engines and it seemed a little less frantic for my son going into his second race meeting in a kart that was full size with huge slicks and a much more powerful engine.
So far we are enjoying the group of people we are with but mainly we are racing in the south.
It was a close call between Junior TKM and MiniMax but I would probably have gone Junior TKM before MiniMax.
We will stay in this until 13 and see where we are at and still enjoying it.
Then you have Max, TKM, X30 and Blue to still get into.
We are in it for fun, away at the weekends, Me spannering and the boys gaining confidence and driving skills which is great.
I hope you get into it and enjoy. It is not cheap, and there are some real ups and downs.
But the several hundred/thousand pounds of outlay for a plastic pot/medal and the look on your kids face is priceless. No matter what level you compete at.
Thats what its all about and thats what I hope it will stay like.
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