Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing. Many people associate it with young drivers, but adults are also very active in karting. Karting is considered the first step in any serious racer's career. It can prepare the driver for high-speed wheel-to-wheel racing by helping develop quick reflexes, precision car control, and decision-making skills. In addition, it brings an awareness of the various parameters that can be altered to try to improve the competitiveness of the kart (examples being tyre pressure, gearing, seat position, chassis stiffness) that also exist in other forms of motor racing.

As well as "serious" competitive kart racing, many commercial enterprises offer casual hire of karts. Such karts are usually powered by small, detuned four-stroke engines and are far slower than the fully-fledged competitive versions.

Many, perhaps most Formula One racers grew up racing karts, most prominent among them Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna  and Myka Hakkinen. Many NASCAR drivers also got their start in racing from karts, such as Darrel Waltrip, Lake Speed, Ricky Rudd, Tony Stewart, and Kyle Petty..