Karting Australia has finalised the 2026 National Competition Rules, which will come into effect on 1 January 2026.
The 2026 Rules introduce a series of important updates designed to strengthen safety, improve officiating consistency, modernise operational procedures and refine key technical and competition requirements. Among the major changes are:
- New definitions and mandatory reporting processes for Significant Incidents and Significant Injuries, ensuring improved documentation and follow-up of safety-related matters.
- Lightning and thunderstorm management requirements, supported by a detailed new appendix outlining monitoring, suspension, and resumption procedures.
- Enhanced officiating frameworks, including clearer duties, strengthened accountability measures for Stewards and Clerks of the Course, updated minimum officials requirements based on event risk level, and the introduction of a Meeting Integrity Delegate role at State Championship Events.
- Updated Steward Hearing procedures, including the recommendation to use AI-based audio recording and transcription tools to support accuracy.
- Minor adjustments to Competition, Technical and Class Rules, including clarifications on clutches and spark plug washers, the addition of E85 as a permitted fuel for specified Vintage karting categories, new long-hair apparel requirements, updated TaG Restricted licence progression and a revised Rotax restrictor will be eligible for use and introduced early in 2026 once available from Rotax.
- Introduction of a Trophy Class for Rotax Classes, where karts must run in anas supplied condition, with only minimal setup adjustments permitted and no performance modifications allowed.
The full 2026 National Competition Rules are now available for download via the Karting Australia website (www.karting.net.au). Licence holders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with all updates ahead of going on track in 2026.
State Regulations, outlining any regulations specific to competition sanctioned by the State Karting Association – such as a State Series, State Cup or Club Competition – will be released in the coming weeks.
