Competition karting is a type of four-wheel motorsport where children compete from a very early age. Competition karting has been the initial training sport for many current F1 Spanish drivers. In Spain construction of karting circuits started in the 1950s, with basically two types of use: for rent (internationally known as ‘Go-Kart’) and for competition. A very important difference between the two is that in order to compete in karting, drivers need to be federated. Competition regulations require drivers to use safety equipment such as a cervical collar, a chest protector, fire retardant clothing, and roll bars on the karts. These items, which must be officially approved and technically verified by race marshals, are always suited to the specific size of each driver. The seat and pedals also adjust ergonomically and may be adapted according to the height and driving position of the child or adolescent driver. The objective of these passive safety elements is to prevent injuries and minimise their extent in the event of an accident. Epidemiological studies of injuries from Go-Kart have been conducted, but there are no known studies on competition karting. Eker et al. published a study detailing the injury mechanisms suffered by 600 karting practitioners in The Netherlands during a specific year. In 2002 a study of cases that needed emergency care in Hong Kong showed that accidents on outdoor tracks appeared to be more serious and more likely to occur than those on indoor circuits.

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