Toyota kartSTART | Gateway Toyota

Toyota Canada presents kartSTART, a half-day, one-of-a-kind family driving education program. kartSTART aims at giving teenagers and their families a real, in-depth education on the physics behind driving a motorized vehicle. The curriculum consists of providing kids  thorough understanding of the driving aspect of how the vehicle works. This is all taught by utilizing vehicles that fit the program’s youth – karts.

With the belief that driving is a 2-part process, consisting of driving and road regulations, kartSTART focuses on the driving aspect by teaching participants how a vehicle works, what makes it go, stop and turn, and what’s happening to the vehicle while it’s on the road. The idea came from parents’ need for their child to have driving instruction before they receive their learner’s permit. Utilizing a kart is a great way for kids to feel in control and be safe during their first driving experience.

The kartSTART program is a one-day event, known as what is called a kartSTART Day. It is then broken down into two sessions: Morning and Afternoon.

The program outline is as follows:

• 8:30 am – Morning guest arrival, sign in, equipment assignment
• 9:00 am – Classroom safety briefing from head instructor; outdoor safety briefing and kart fitting; groups split
• 9:30 am–11:00 am – Lead-follow sessions in karts (3 sessions each driver).
• 11:00 am – Toyota Star Safety briefing
• 11:15 am–12:00 pm – On track STAR SAFETY EXERCISE
• 12:15 pm – Lunch Provided
• 1:00 pm – Afternoon group welcome and sign in
• 1:15 pm – Classroom safety briefing from head instructor; outdoor safety briefing and kart fitting; groups split
• 1:30 pm–3:00 pm – Lead-follow sessions in karts (3 sessions each driver)
• 3:15 pm – Toyota Star Safety briefing
• 3:30 pm – On track STAR SAFETY EXERCISE
• 4:15 pm – Q and A; program ends

kartSTART events are happening all around Canada, including having stopped by in Edmonton at the Castrol Raceway. For more information on reserving a spot at another location, or on eligibility criteria, visit kartstart.ca and book now.

Neal Gratton

Gateway Toyota