The 2024 Team Seattle Kart Challenge
It’s time to organize a team for this year’s Kart Challenge! It’s open to all, great fun, and it benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital! Here’s how to do it.
If you love karting, or if you’ve never tried your hand at the sport, here’s your chance to experience the thrill of the track while you help out children in medical need. The 14th Annual Team Seattle Kart Challenge will take place on Friday, August 16th. You’re invited to share in the fun, the excitement, and most important, the effort to help a vital children’s charity.
Where and When
The two-hour race takes place on Friday, August 16th at PGP, Seattle’s premier karting track, which is conveniently located adjacent to Pacific Raceways. The race starts at 6pm. Karts and helmets are supplied for drivers.
Who Can Be a Kart Driver? YOU!
You can participate in the Kart Challenge if you’re 15 or older. Karting experience is not necessary, though we advise that you get some practice sessions (see below). Here’s the process:
- Get together 4 drivers, 15 or older.
- Read the rules (below).
- Complete and submit the registration form.
- Line up donations from family, friends, and colleagues. Everyone can easily donate to the Kart Challenge here. You can build your own team page on GiveButter.com to make it even easier to get donations.
- Get your drivers some practice if needed. PGP offers Arrive and Drive karting sessions five days a week. Practice sessions will also be held on race day from 9am – 2pm. NOTE: We strongly encourage all drivers to sign up for practice sessions prior to the Challenge.
- Show up for the race and have the time of your life!
13 Years of Success
Over the last 13 years the Kart Challenge has raised more than one million dollars for Seattle Children’s Hospital. The money goes to help families that can’t afford treatment, and also to Seattle Children’s Heart Center. The event is under the auspices of the Team Seattle Guild, which has raised millions for Seattle Children’s through motorsports events.
Even If You Can’t Race, You Can Donate!
Even if you can’t attend the Kart Challenge, you can help this vital cause by supporting one of the teams with a donation. Here’s where you can donate.
Only 24 Teams Can Compete, So Sign Up Now!
To reserve your place, fill out the application form.
2024 Team Seattle Kart Challenge Rules
The PNW Kart Challenge is a charity event that benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital, which provides inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, surgical, rehabilitative, behavioral, emergency and outreach services to children from infancy to young adulthood – regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
- The 2-hour race features a maximum of 24 teams, each with 4 drivers. Drivers may be experienced or novices. They must be 15 years old and at least 5 feet tall
- Teams are admitted to the challenge on a first-come, first served basis
- Registration fee is $250, payable with submission of the registration form
- Once a team has been registered, an online pledge account will be created for your team on the Kart Challenge Givebutter page in order to collect pledges. You will receive information about the team page within 24 hours
- In order to compete, teams must have a minimum of $1000 pledged by check-in on race day
- Teams may designate a Team Manager, who can be a driver or non-driver, or a patient at Children’s who’s being sponsored, or other third party. Teams are encouraged to make t-shirts to help publicize their team and designate their members
- Trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, and for top 3 fundraising karts
- Registration deadline is August 1st
Sponsorship Levels for Companies Available
Anyone – individuals, companies, or organizations – can sponsor a team for any amount. Those who wish to can take advantage of sponsorship packages at various levels. More information about sponsorship levels and packages here. Also, anyone can donate to support a team by going to the 2024 Team Seattle Kart Challenge Givebutter page.
2024 Kart Challenge Schedule
- 4:00-4:45pm Driver Check-in
- 4:45-5:15pm Driver’s Meeting
- 5:00-7:00pm Open Dinner for drivers and team manager. Guests can purchase dinner
- 5:20pm Team photo in front of karts
- 5:30-7:30pm Race (dinner provided for all kart drivers & team captain) additional dinners $15.00 per person
- 7:30pm Trophy Awards Ceremony and champagne splash, photos of winners!
- 8:00pm Track close
About Seattle Children’s Hospital
Seattle Children’s Hospital was formed in 1907 to serve the children of the Pacific Northwest region regardless of their family’s ability to pay, a mission that remains their central focus today. It is the pediatric and adolescent referral center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Every year Children’s provides millions of dollars in uncompensated care for families from the Northwest whose children need specialized treatment and care. Seattle Children’s was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 5th best children’s hospital in the nation with the Seattle Children’s Research Center ranked 3rd nationwide.
Register Now!
Click on the button to fill out a form, pay the registration fee, and get ready to start your engines! Come out and practice, discounted sessions for enrolled karting drivers wanting to get “tuned up” $26 per 15 minute session.