Skip to Main Content

Bill Sisley Junior Kart School

Formed in 1974 and responsible for training twenty world and European kart champions - including F1's Jonny Herbert - the renowned Sisley Kart Racing School has relocated to the awesome Three Sisters Circuit in the form of the Bill Sisley Junior Kart School. Bill Sisley discovered Lewis Hamilton at the age of 8, and was involved in the career of Jenson Button as well as many other up-and-coming British racing drivers.

The ARKS instructors of the Bill Sisley Junior Kart School help young drivers learn the art of kart racing in a structured manner and a safe environment. Available for ages 8-11 yrs (Cadet) and 12-15 yrs (Junior), there are seven levels of tuition, starting with the Novice Kart Lesson, moving onto the Intermediate Kart Lesson (B & A), Advanced Training (B & A), and finally Graduation (B & A).

The novice level requires no previous experience. This 2-hour introductory session includes a track-walk and covers basic driving theory and skills. Once completed, and provided the instructor is happy in the child's progress, the driver is able to move up to the Intermediate level.

The intermediate lesson lasts for 90 minutes and introduces drivers to concepts of racecraft and advanced driving techniques through a number of intense, 10-minute sessions. Provided the instructor is happy in the child's progress, the driver is able to move up to advanced training.

The advanced lesson lasts for 90 minutes and concentrates on techniques such as understeer and oversteer, plus the best way of planning how to overtake. Again this is carried out over 10-minute sessions. If the driver achieves the target times, they can then progress to the next level.

The graduation lesson lasts for 90 minutes and is run on the Club circuit. Drivers have to learn a new circuit as well as new disciplines such as slip streaming, as well as incorporating the skills learnt in previous lessons. A driver can only graduate from the school by achieving the target times set by the instructor.

Prices:

  • Novice Kart Lesson (£65 per lesson): 2-hour lesson, safety briefing, in-depth track-walk, 10-minute karting sessions, debrief.
  • Intermediate Kart Lesson B and A (£65 per lesson): 90-minute lesson, safety briefing, 10-minute intense karting sessions, debrief.
  • Advanced Kart Training B and A (£65 per lesson): 90-minute lesson, safety briefing, 10-minute intense karting sessions, highly personalised debrief.
  • Graduation Kart Lesson B and A (£65 per lesson): 90-minute lesson, safety briefing, 10-minute intense karting sessions to take place on the Club Circuit.

Key Information

  • For ages 8-15 years
  • Biz 160cc Honda powered single-engined karts
  • All equipment supplied
  • Entries must be booked and paid for in advance
  • Minimum height 4'2".

Please note that if a driver intends to wear a race helmet provided by the circuit, they are also required to wear a balaclava. Please either bring one with you, or you can purchase one at reception for £4.

All children must be accompanied by an adult who must remain onsite and be responsible for the children during the time of the booking.

Upcoming Kart Lessons

  • Time: 9am to 12pm
    Arrival: 8:30am
    Price: £65 per Cadet Novice Lesson
    Sorry – this session is fully booked
  • Time: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
    Arrival: 1pm
    Price: £65 per Junior Intermediate Lesson
    Sorry – this session is fully booked
  • Time: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
    Arrival: 1pm
    Price: £65 per Cadet Intermediate Lesson
    Places available – call 01942 719030 to book
  • Time: 2pm to 4pm
    Arrival: 1:30pm
    Price: £65 per Junior Advance Lesson
    Places available – call 01942 719030 to book
  • Time: 2pm to 4pm
    Arrival: 1:30pm
    Price: £65 per Cadet Advance Lesson
    Sorry – this session is fully booked
  • Time: 9am to 12pm
    Arrival: 8:30am
    Price: £65 per Junior Graduation
    Sorry – this session is fully booked
  • Time: 9am to 12pm
    Arrival: 8:30am
    Price: £65 per Cadet Graduation
    Places available – call 01942 719030 to book

Circuit used for junior training and races (click to enlarge) :

ARKS Test

Three Sisters Circuit is a member of the Association of Racing Kart Schools (ARKS) and is recognised by Motorsport UK / Karting UK. Private one-to-one tuition with a professional ARKS instructor costs £99 and is run on either the Club or Valley circuits.

The ARKS test costs £98 including VAT, if applicable, and includes both written and practical tests. If you should fail one part of the ARKS test, the written test can be re-taken for £50 and the driving test for £60. The hire fee for a suitable Three Sisters kart is £40.

There are some exemptions for drivers who have had a National A licence before, or who have enough signatures from Tyro/Clubman events, and in some cases these people only need to sit the written test. Check with Motorsport UK or ARKS to see if that might affect you and whether you also need to purchase a Start Karting Pack which costs £66 from www.motorsportuk.org (includes the cost of the first licence).

Bill Sisley Junior Kart Club

For many years, young kart drivers were only able to compete in races by purchasing their own kart, which was financially out of reach for many families. However, in the mid 90’s, Bill Sisley introduced the Sisley Junior Club in the south east of England. For the first time, this allowed young drivers to compete on a monthly basis at a reasonable cost by way of the club supplying identical equipment.

Current Championship Standings

Starting from nothing, the Sisley Junior Kart Club rose to regular starting grids of 100 per month. Participants have become better road drivers as they leave childhood behind and take to the wheel on public roads. Some particularly talented young karters have been spotted by owner/driver race teams and are now successful car racing drivers, including F1's Alex Albon and WEC racer, Jack Aitken.

A prerequisite of a driver being able to race in the club is novice training at the Bill Sisley Kart School, after which the driver needs to complete the Intermediate A lesson and then, if the instructor is happy, a driver can take part in club events.

Club rounds take place during the school holidays and points are gained at each round. The driver with the most points wins (points are taken from however many rounds minus one score, however if there are joint scores, then all rounds count). The championship is for two age groups: 8-11 and 12-15 years of age. Drivers are free to enter as many rounds as they like, and points are automatically scored as they enter. There is no registration fee to take part.

Prices:

  • £72 per person per event.

Race Format

  • Safety briefing
  • Practice
  • Three heats per driver
  • Final.

Key Information

  • For ages 8-11 and 12-15 years
  • Biz 160cc Honda powered single-engined karts
  • All equipment supplied
  • Entries must be booked and paid for in advance
  • Minimum height 4'2".

Please note that if a driver intends to wear a race helmet provided by the circuit, they are also required to wear a balaclava. Please either bring one with you, or you can purchase one at reception for £4.

All children must be accompanied by an adult who must remain onsite and be responsible for the children during the time of the booking.

Upcoming Kart Club Activities

  • Time: 9am to 1pm
    Arrival: 8:30am
    Price: £72 per Junior Club
    Places available – call 01942 719030 to book
  • Time: 9am to 1pm
    Arrival: 8:30am
    Price: £72 per Cadet Club
    Places available – call 01942 719030 to book