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The British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC) is the greatest university sports league in the world. BUKC is the most intense, adrenaline-packed student sport out there, offering an incredible opportunity to get involved in competitive motorsports at a fraction of the cost elsewhere.
Taking place across 5 main rounds at 4 world-class venues throughout the academic year, BUKC pits over 130 teams from 115 universities against one another in 3 different classes: Premier, Clubman and Intermediate.
Here is the calendar for the 2024 BUKC season:
BUKC is currently run with Club100, who operate Europe's most powerful arrive-and-drive kart fleet. These two-stroke 125cc ROTAX Junior MAX karts are no slouches, boasting an acceleration from 5–60mph in 4 seconds, as well as top speeds in excess of 70mph (113 kph).
BUKC is by far the most affordable way of entering the competitive karting scene. Test days will cost ~£70, qualifiers ~£110, mains rounds (Premier and Clubman classes) ~£115, and Intermediate rounds ~£100. Considering the machinery and tracks you get to experience, it really is a bang for your buck.
As with all our karting events, transport to and from BUKC events will be provided by the club free-of-charge.
All levels of experience are welcome! There are 3 classes dividing teams by skill level — based on their performance in the championship's qualifiers — so experience among the driver pool ranges anywhere from those who only have a few rental karting sessions under their belts, to those who have won national karting titles.
Over the years, we have had plenty of drivers rise through our ranks to succeed in BUKC, despite having only driven a few indoor sessions beforehand. You do not need a UK driving license or any equipment!
In order to race in the BUKC, you must first obtain a BUKC race license by attending a test day and proving you can keep the kart on the black stuff with reasonable place. Test days for the 2024 season will take place at:
> Whilton Mill (17–18 October)
> Buckmore Park (3 November)
> Whilton Mill (17 November — ROOKIES ONLY)
> Buckmore Park (28 January)
Before you attend a test day, you must first obtain a Motorsport UK K-X license by applying for their RS Clubman license — information on which can be found here. When applying, under the club name, put "club100" with the membership number "0000".
After the final test day, qualifiers are held over a two-day event, determining the top 108 teams in the country. Of those 108, 26 qualify for the Premier class, 28 qualify for the Clubman class, and 54 qualify for the Intermediate class.
The mains championship (Premier and Clubman classes) then takes place over a further 8 rounds, with 2 rounds per race day. The Intermediate championship takes place over a further 4 rounds, with 1 round after each mains race day.
BUKC also organise their Drivers' Championship after the final rounds, as well as their annual 24-hour race in the summer.
The full list of rules and regulations for the BUKC can be found here.
Our only national championship was won in 2011, and our last Intermediate championship was won in 2019. Here is the footage from our kart captain Axel's win at PFI in the 2023 season:
All updates on test day and subsequent round sign-ups will be communicated through our WhatsApp. More information on BUKC is available at from their website.