Add to kart
By now, most of us must have seen the viral video of Formula One driver Max Verstappen at the wheel of a go-kart taking the challenge and eventually beating 100 amateur kart drivers at Silverstone in the UK. The Red Bull-backed race touted as the biggest-ever grid in karting history showcased the F1 star’s impeccable skill, grit and–of course–fun on the track. It’s just one-of-a-kind.
Now, just imagine how much fun he had along with the rest of the drivers there. Picture yourself doing or even your kid. Toyota with its now called “Gazoo Racing” division just recently launched in Japan the GR Kart―an entry-level racing kart developed to broaden hands-on access to motorsports for children and families.
According to reports, Toyota is already starting to roll out these karts from its GR Kart Factory in Aichi Prefecture. The carmaker eyes to sell these to GR dealers and go-kart tracks in Japan.
In fact, as early as June 2025, Toyota was already holding test drive events for these GR Karts in Japan, and initial prototypes even came with special covers to protect drivers in a collision, as well as mounting kits and trolleys for easy loading and transporting.
In Japan, they plan to sell it at 385,000 Yen or about USD 2,455 (P154,200). If this pushes through, these karts would be way more affordable than those currently offered by those from Tony Kart and Birel, which are priced at the P 215,000 range.
Other than e-Sports, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, aka “Morizo” said that he has long desired for motorsports to be an activity more people can take up, “like baseball or soccer”.
Hence, the GR Kart was built from a desire to make karting, a gateway to motorsports, more accessible and to create an environment in which anyone can experience firsthand the joy of vehicle control.
As a “carmaker-made kart”, each GR Kart is carefully crafted, incorporating experience and ingenuity honed through Toyota automotive manufacturing. Guided by Toyota Production System (TPS) principles, the factory in Aichi is committed to ensuring quality and continuously improving its manufacturing processes. Through these initiatives, GR is working to reduce costs and aims to create products that make it easier for newcomers to start and continue karting.
The kart is 1,820mm long, 1,160mm wide and has a wheelbase of 1,045mm. It weighs 83kg and is powered by a 215-cc carbureted four-stroke engine.
Since it is made by Toyota, the kart’s engines are self-charging batteries thus eliminating the need to mount a separate battery and the hassle of charging a battery.
Moreover, a newly-developed diaphragm carburetor minimizes the impact of fuel level fluctuations caused by lateral G-forces, because it eliminates the float chamber. Also, a primer pump draws fuel into the carburetor before starting, making pre-departure engine priming more seamless.
The design itself features a rust-resistant stainless steel rear axle shaft and internal metal fuel lines in the fuel tank to minimize gasoline-caused degradation.
What’s more fun is that the driving position is highly adjustable with a tiltable steering wheel and sliding pedals. It can accommodate children and adults from 135 to 185 cm. So, both kids and “kids at heart” can enjoy and share one kart.
Additionally, a weight box capable of holding up to 15 kilograms of ballast for racing allows easy adjustment of the kart’s weight and includes a place to install a transponder.
Toyota also said that it can keep the prices since it uses vehicle production technologies and lower-priced materials instead of chromoly steel.
The Japanese carmaker aims to revive karting for the youth in Japan, which means these GR karts are likely to be used in one-make kart races.
Toyota is also looking to build between 1,000 and 2,000 units annually, and the report mentions the karts could also be offered outside Japan in the future.
With this in mind, will these GR Karts also set foot in the Philippines? There are still no concrete details regarding this. But just a few weeks ago executives from Toyota Motor Philippines visited the said factory, including president Masando Hashimoto, himself. Does this mean the Philippines will likewise have its own one-make karting series? Let’s see.
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