All mandatory racing equipment is subject to inspection by The Colorado Karting Tour at any time. The safety of our competitors is not only our primary concern, but our primary responsibility as a racing series that utilizes and represents The International Karting Federation and their rule sets, methodologies, and practices.
All helmets must be inspected on an annual basis by The Colorado Karting Tour. For all inspections, please see event registration or Eric Gunderson for inspection and helmet certification.
Safety equipment is never, ever, ever a place to cut costs. While you don’t have to buy the most expensive safety equipment, you must consider it your own responsibility to invest in tested and certified safety gear.
Mandatory for All Competitors – Regardless of Age
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation’s technical and homologation requirements for all karting helmets.There are a variety of models, sizes, and budgetary options available for karting helmets. Many helmets that people choose to start with range in price from $200–$600.00. Of course, there are more expensive helmet options available, and we won't discourage any driver from purchasing these either. Of all equipment listed on this page, CKT urges all members to invest the most amount of research and funds in finding the best fitting and performing helmet that suits their budget. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of helmets, contact us via email.All models of SFI Foundation Specification prior to 2010, Snell Foundation models Snell 2000, 2005 ARE NO LONGER LEGAL.Per IKF (Section 105.1.6: Driver Protective Clothing–Head Gear):
Note! Snell Foundation SA 2015 is considered by many to be the most thoroughly tested, and modern certification for helmets available. Also, although youth-standard helmet ratings do not specify a precise age range, these helmets are intended for children and, particularly for young, pre-pubertal children. Adult drivers should select a helmet meeting proper adult safety standards.Helmet must be in good condition and is subject to pre-race technical inspection. It may also be inspected if it is damaged in an accident. If the helmet shows any signs of damage, IKF recommends that it be returned to the manufacturer for testing and re-certification.All helmets must be secured with a strap, and the driver is responsible for making sure that his or her helmet fits properly and is securely fastened before entering the racing surface. In the case of a minor, this is the parent or guardian's responsibility. Failure to properly secure the helmet before entering the racing surface may result in immediate disqualification!Additional modifications, including aerodynamic or other is prohibited unless such devices have been certified (By Snell or SFI) with the helmet. It is the driver's responsibility to provide the helmet manufacturer's literature describing any added devices the Pre-Tech inspectors if it is requested.
“Full coverage (full face) helmets designed for competitive motorsports use are mandatory and must comply with one of the following:”
| Rating Body | Rating Description | Legal Until |
|---|---|---|
| Snell Foundation | M 2010 | 12/20/2021 |
| Snell Foundation | SA/K 2010 | 12/20/2021 |
| Snell Foundation | K 2015 | 12/20/2026 |
| Snell Foundation | SA 2015 | 12/20/2026 |
| SFI Foundation | 24.1/2010, 24.1/2013 | 12/20/2021 |
| SFI Foundation | 31.1/2010, 31.1/2013 | 12/20/2021 |
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation's technical and homologation requirements for all karting suits.Like helmets, the sizing, brands, and features available with each karting suit varies greatly. Typical retail prices are often between $125-500.00 for most suits. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of suits, contact us via email.Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.1: All Open Kart Drivers Shall Wear):
"CIK homologated (level II) karting suits are acceptable. Suits of Nomex only or Proban material are not acceptable. Fire resistant suits are not adequately abrasion resistant." No, Jeans are not acceptable either.
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation's technical and homologation requirements for all racing shoes and footwear.
Like karting suits, the sizing, brands, and features available with each karting shoe model can vary significantly. However, regardless of the model, the IKF requires that footwear be of an 'over-the-ankle' type. All shoes must cover the anklebone area, and be laced, buckled, or secured as designed.
For many young drivers, particularly in the Kid Kart and Cadet division, CKT has found that some racing shoes do not size to that small of a range. Instead, CKT recommends considering youth over-the-ankle wrestling shoes, or at minimum, youth 'Chuck Taylor' style over-the-ankle shoes.
Typical retail prices are often between $50-300 for most karting shoes. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of shoes, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.3--Footwear):
Like karting suits, the sizing, brands, and features available with each karting shoe model can vary significantly. However, regardless of the model, the IKF requires that footwear be of an 'over-the-ankle' type. All shoes must cover the anklebone area, and be laced, buckled, or secured as designed.
For many young drivers, particularly in the Kid Kart and Cadet division, CKT has found that some racing shoes do not size to that small of a range. Instead, CKT recommends considering youth over-the-ankle wrestling shoes, or at minimum, youth 'Chuck Taylor' style over-the-ankle shoes.
Typical retail prices are often between $50-300 for most karting shoes. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of shoes, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.3--Footwear):
"Socks and High top shoes are required, and racing-specific shoes are recommended. High top shoes shall cover the anklebone and be laced, buckled, or secured as designed."
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation's technical and homologation requirements for all racing gloves and handwear.
The IKF requires that gloves be of an 'over-the-wrist' type. For most gloves, this area of the glove is defined as the 'gauntlet.' Therefore, all gloves must cover not only the entire hand, but the wrist area as well. Ideally, such gloves can overlap the karting suit, to prevent any bodily exposure to the track during abrasion accidents. While sizing and features of karting gloves can vary significantly, most retail for $30-150.00. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of gloves, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.2--Gloves):
The IKF requires that gloves be of an 'over-the-wrist' type. For most gloves, this area of the glove is defined as the 'gauntlet.' Therefore, all gloves must cover not only the entire hand, but the wrist area as well. Ideally, such gloves can overlap the karting suit, to prevent any bodily exposure to the track during abrasion accidents. While sizing and features of karting gloves can vary significantly, most retail for $30-150.00. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of gloves, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.2--Gloves):
"Required in all divisions. Over-the-wrist "gauntlet" type gloves strongly recommended, mandatory in sprint-racing."
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation's technical and homologation requirements for all neck protection devices and safety devices.
For many years, the IKF has required that all drivers in all divisions must wear an unaltered collar-type neck brace designed for motorsports use when on the track. Recently, with the acquisition of IKF by Superkarts!USA (SKUSA), this rule has been modified to make neck protection devices mandatory for drivers aged 16 and under. With this noted, The Colorado Karting Tour strongly urges all drivers in all divisions at any physical age to strongly consider wearing a neck protection device. While sizing and features of neck protection devices can vary significantly, most retail for $100-$700. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of neck protection devices, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.5--Neck Protection):
For many years, the IKF has required that all drivers in all divisions must wear an unaltered collar-type neck brace designed for motorsports use when on the track. Recently, with the acquisition of IKF by Superkarts!USA (SKUSA), this rule has been modified to make neck protection devices mandatory for drivers aged 16 and under. With this noted, The Colorado Karting Tour strongly urges all drivers in all divisions at any physical age to strongly consider wearing a neck protection device. While sizing and features of neck protection devices can vary significantly, most retail for $100-$700. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of neck protection devices, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.5--Neck Protection):
"All drivers age 16 and below, in all divisions must wear an unaltered collar-type neck brace designed for motorsports use when on the track."
| Manufacturer | Device Model Name |
|---|---|
| Leatt | Leatt-Brace Moto GPX |
| Leatt | Leatt-Brace Adventure |
| Valhalla | Valhalla 360 |
| EVS | EVS R4 |
| EVS | EVS RC Evolution |
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation's technical and homologation requirements for all chest protection and rib protection devices.
All drivers in all divisions in the Kid Kart, Rookie, and Cadet classes in all divisions are required to present for pre-race technical inspection a chest protection device with an SFI certification. For Drivers aged 5-8, this specification is SFI 20.1/1, and for driver 9-12, this certification is specification SFI 20.1/2.
As noted here, the mandatory age requirement for chest protection devices covers drivers through the age of 12. With this noted, The Colorado Karting Tour strongly urges all drivers in all divisions at any physical age to strongly consider wearing a chest protection device. While sizing and features of neck protection devices can vary significantly, most retail for $100-$300. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of chest protection devices, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.6--Chest Protection):
All drivers in all divisions in the Kid Kart, Rookie, and Cadet classes in all divisions are required to present for pre-race technical inspection a chest protection device with an SFI certification. For Drivers aged 5-8, this specification is SFI 20.1/1, and for driver 9-12, this certification is specification SFI 20.1/2.
As noted here, the mandatory age requirement for chest protection devices covers drivers through the age of 12. With this noted, The Colorado Karting Tour strongly urges all drivers in all divisions at any physical age to strongly consider wearing a chest protection device. While sizing and features of neck protection devices can vary significantly, most retail for $100-$300. For further questions or suggestions on current vendors to contact to sample and try on a variety of chest protection devices, contact us via email.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.6--Chest Protection):
"All drivers in all Kid Kart, Junior 1, Rookie, and Cadet classes in all Divisions, are required to present for pre-race tech inspection, a chest protection device and rib protection device with a Specification 20.1/1 SFI Certification (ages up through 8). For Junior 2 drivers chest protection devices are mandatory, with a Specification of 20.1/2 SFI Certification (ages 9-12). This devices must be worn whenever such drivers are on track in their kart. The Grid personnel are empowered to prevent a driver from entering the track without this device, just as they would a driver without a neck collar or gloves."
Additional and Strongly Recommended Safety Equipment
The Colorado Karting Tour follows The International Karting Federation’s technical and homologation requirements for all protection devices, as well as for recommended safety equipment disclosures.
The Rib vest is designed for all drivers of all ages, to protect their ribs and core body area during impacts and daily track driving in karts. The use of rib braces/chest protectors are recommended per IKF.
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.7):
Per IKF (Section 105.1.6.3.7):
"The use of rib braces/chest protectors are recommended for all sit-up type karts [like a sprint kart]."
Safety equipment is never, ever, ever a place to cut costs.While you don’t have to buy the most expensive safety equipment, you must consider it your own responsibility to invest in tested and certified safety gear.