Motorsport UK launched the Girls Karting Academy over the Easter holidays, introducing over 100 8-12 year-old girls to motorsport across the country.

The new programme is designed to inspire and invite the next generation of female talent into motorsport, through fun, girls only, sessions in collaboration with national indoor Karting operator TeamSport.

During the nationwide taster days, girls got behind the wheel in TeamSport’s arrive and drive karts, testing themselves on the track across three sessions,and completed two hours of activities, testing competence and skills off the track.

Girls who have completed the taster sessions now have opportunity to learn and progress through Motorsport UK’s talent pathway, under its renowned Academy programme that created 19 champions in 2024 alone.

The exciting initiative will enable drivers to hone their skills during a five-week period, before being encouraged to participate in the annual British Indoor Kart Championship (BIKC).

Girls who set a qualifying time (June to August) at any of TeamSport’s nationwide venues will have an opportunity to progress through to Local, Regional and National Finals with a prize of a fully-funded place in the Club100 Karting Championship on offer as part of the Girls Karting Academy Scholarship.

Tom Hartley, Head of Competitor Development, Motorsport UK, comments, “Our Girls Karting Academy aims to create a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for girls to try out karting, and develop an understanding of what it takes to develop as an aspiring driver. Ultimately, we want girls to fall in love with Karting, have an incredible experience, and develop confidence and new skills on and off the track.”

Dan Parker, Head of Karting, Motorsport UK, adds, “We are thrilled to have had such a positive response to the first round of our Girls Karting Academy at TeamSport locations across the UK. The initiative aims to provide an accessible pathway for girls to enter motorsport, and we hope that these taster days have inspired more women to progress into competitive karting. The Academy is part of our commitment to increasing female representation in motorsport.”

Dom Gaynor, CEO, TeamSport Indoor Karting, concludes, “Seeing hundreds of girls taking part in our Easter Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy Taster Days up and down the country has been absolutely brilliant. It’s inspiring to witness so much talent, enthusiasm, and energy both on and off the track. The feedback’s been fantastic – they’re not only having loads of fun, but they’re also learning and developing their karting skills and confidence.

“This kind of grassroots activity is such an important part of encouraging more girls into motorsport, and we’re incredibly proud that TeamSport can play a role in making that happen. We can’t wait to welcome even more girls to join us for our next taster day in May!”

Find out more about the Motorsport UK Girls Karting Academy here