Turn your passion for karting into a plan. A 12-month development programme bringing together regular testing, guidance on sponsorship and personal branding, and fortnightly group Zoom calls with Grid Performance for mindset coaching and guided fitness workouts.
You've found your passion. Now find your direction.
Perhaps you've built your confidence in rental karting, Club100 or DRS. Perhaps you're moving on from Honda Cadet, or have already taken your first steps into owner-driver racing. The Academy gives that ambition a focus.
We want to work with drivers who are willing to listen, learn and put the effort in. Together with their families, we'll build a clearer picture of what they need to develop and how to approach the next stage.
Three coaching stages, one programme. Start at the right level and progress through coach assessment, not a fixed number of days.
01 / BEGINNER
Build your foundations
Some rental experience, perhaps a Club100 day, but new to Rotax? Develop safe kart control, awareness and confidence at Hooton Park or Fulbeck.
02 / INTERMEDIATE
Develop your racecraft
For experienced rental, Club100 or DMAX drivers with confident Junior Rotax control, and Academy graduates. Build consistency and racecraft, with PFi days available after coach approval.
03 / ADVANCED
Prepare to compete
For progressing drivers whose coaches consider them ready for race preparation. Refine your skills at familiar circuits, then explore a separately arranged race-day package when you're ready.
PFi requires competent, predictable driving and strong traffic awareness. Access is assessed separately from readiness to race.
A driver needs support between visits to the circuit, too. Our programme brings together track time, off-track guidance and the equipment to get you started.
01
A minimum of 12 test days across 12 months
Time on track. Room to grow.
Regular testing gives you time to learn without the pressure of jumping straight into a race weekend. With your coach, you'll work on braking points, racing lines, consistency and confidence, building your understanding of both the kart and the circuit.
Each visit is a chance to put feedback into practice and build towards racing at familiar tracks when you feel comfortable and ready. We'll help you understand that next step, rather than rush you into it.
TRACK DEVELOPMENT
02
Monthly review calls
Build your presence beyond the paddock.
Review your sponsorship approach, personal branding and social media with us each month. Get practical guidance on how you present yourself, tell your racing story and develop professional relationships with potential supporters.
Support to improve your approach; sponsorship funding is not guaranteed.
SPONSORSHIP & BRANDING
03
Fortnightly group Zoom calls with Grid Performance
Train your mind. Prepare your body.
Join Grid Performance on a group Zoom call every two weeks for mindset coaching and guided fitness workouts. These online sessions help drivers build focus, confidence, strength and stamina between track days. Mindset coaching covers handling pressure, resetting after a difficult session and approaching the next one positively.
The guided fitness workouts give drivers practical exercises for the physical demands of karting. Together, the calls help drivers develop useful habits between test days and prepare both mentally and physically for their time on track.
MINDSET & FITNESS
04
Supplied by DER
Arrive ready to learn.
We supply the kart and the support for your Academy test days, so you can focus on your driving. You'll also receive your own DER made-to-measure race suit and DER T-Shirt to feel part of the team from the start.
Kart
Engine
Fuel
Mechanic
Tyres
DER made-to-measure race suit
DER T-Shirt
EQUIPMENT & TEAMWEAR
Your Academy circuits
Three tracks. A year of opportunity.
Begin at Hooton Park or Fulbeck. As your skills develop, coach-approved access to PF International brings a new challenge.
INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED / COACH APPROVAL
PF International
A next step for competent drivers who meet the required standard of control and awareness.
BEGINNER THROUGH TO ADVANCED
Fulbeck Kart Club
Build your foundations, refine your technique and prepare for the next stage.
BEGINNER THROUGH TO ADVANCED
Hooton Park
Grow your confidence with coached practice and return to develop your racecraft.
A team around you
Every step forward deserves recognition.
We celebrate the stronger session, the growing confidence and the moment something clicks, alongside the wins and podiums. The Academy is a place to ask questions, learn from experience and feel supported as you develop.
For families, that means honest conversations about progress and a clearer view of what comes next.
Our Academy driver coaches will include racers with experience across Junior Rotax, Senior Rotax and GT4. They bring their perspective from competition to help you develop your driving.
Jared Fox-Whiteley
Kartmasters 2026 Vice Champion
Fletcher Jamieson
Kartmasters 2026 Vice Champion
Harrison Crowther
Front Running Senior Rotax British Driver
Hamish Forrest
ADAC GT4 Race Car Driver
Teddie Cooper
Front Running Junior Rotax Driver
Your Academy place
A year of development. A clear monthly cost.
Make space for consistent progress, with support on the track and between test days.
DER Academy / 12-month programme
£489per month
£199 one-off registration fee
A minimum of 12 test days at PF International, Fulbeck Kart Club and Hooton Park
Kart, engine, fuel, mechanic and tyres supplied
DER made-to-measure race suit and DER T-Shirt
Monthly sponsorship, branding and social media review calls
Fortnightly group Zoom calls with Grid Performance, featuring mindset coaching and guided fitness workouts to build focus, confidence, strength and stamina between track days
12 monthly payments of £489, plus a £199 registration fee. Total programme cost: £6,067.
Kart, engine, fuel, mechanic and tyres are supplied for Academy test days. Speak to us about circuit fees before joining.
No. The Academy welcomes enquiries from drivers moving out of rental, Club100, DRS or cadet karting, as well as those starting out in owner-driver racing. We'll talk through your experience and whether the programme is a suitable next step.
How many test days are included?
A minimum of 12 test days are included across the 12-month programme. Beginners learn at Hooton Park or Fulbeck Kart Club; PF International becomes an option from Intermediate following coach approval. Circuit access depends on competence, not a fixed number of days. We'll discuss a suitable test schedule before you join.
Can I progress into racing through the Academy?
Yes. Once you're comfortable in the kart and your coaches agree you're ready, you can take the next step at the tracks where you've been taught. We can arrange an all-in-one race-day package so you have DER support around you for your introduction to competition. We'll discuss suitable events, any entry or licence requirements, exactly what the package covers and its price before you commit. Race-day packages are arranged separately from the Academy's included test days.
Do we need our own kart and equipment?
DER supplies the kart, engine, fuel, mechanic and tyres for your Academy test days. A DER made-to-measure race suit and DER T-Shirt are also included. Contact us to discuss circuit fees and what to bring on the day.
What happens between test days?
You'll have monthly calls to review sponsorship, branding and social media. Every two weeks, you'll join a group Zoom call with Grid Performance for mindset coaching and guided fitness workouts. These fortnightly online calls help drivers work on focus, confidence, handling pressure, strength and stamina between visits to the circuit.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes. There is a one-off £199 registration fee, plus £489 per month for 12 months. The total programme cost is £6,067.
How do we get started?
Contact Dave with your driver's current experience and ambitions. We'll discuss the programme, your questions and the arrangements before you decide to join.
Start with a conversation
Your ambition. Our support.
Tell us about your driver, where they're racing now and what they'd like to achieve. Let's talk about their place in the DER Academy.
