Motorsport in Rwanda is set to receive a massive boost with the introduction of Go-Karts racing in the country by the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC).

Having lately seen a surge in the number of locals interested in motorsport, RAC will today launch the first ever go-karts and kart racing in the country.

The launch will come at the end of a three-day long International Automobile Federation (FIA) conference and workshop at the Kigali Convention Centre and Radisson Blu Hotel Kigali, which brought together the world’s major stakeholders in motorsport.

The conference had a focus on safety for road users.

FIA President Jean Todt is set to launch the go-karting widely been seen as a nursery bed for some of the world’s greatest Formula One drivers such as Micheal Schumacher, ex-champion Nicolas Rosberg, and current world champion Lewis Hamilton.

"Go-karting will not only help boost social interest in motorsport but is also a step in the right direction for its growth in Rwanda,” said Chritian Gakwaya, the President of Rwanda Automobile Club that has been instrumental in bringing the sport to the country.

"We have Go-Karts for both adults and children with a focus on the latter age group around grassroot development of the sport. This will not only give access to young drivers but also increase participation among the ladies,” Gakwaya said.

Kart Racing is a type of open-wheel motor sport. It is commonly seen as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motorsports.

The race uses small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down kart circuits. And you don’t even need a driver’s licence.

Rwandans will have an opportunity to drive the go-karts for free today at Radisson Blu Kigali.

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