Toyota Wants More People in Motorsports, So Gazoo Racing Built a $2500 KartRoad & TrackJoe KucinskiThu, September 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleGazoo Racing Built a $2500 Kart for Kids & AdultsToyota Gazoo RacingToyota Gazoo Racing builds some serious performance machines; indeed, few upcoming vehicles are more hotly anticipated than the new GR GT supercar. That coupe promises spectacular performance on both road and track, but with an expected price north of $200,000, most enthusiasts won't be putting one in their garage. Fortunately, Gazoo Racing just announced another track weapon that costs roughly one percent as much. It doesn't have a V-8, or hybrid power, or even a roof, but it might be considerably easier to have fun with. Meet the new GR KART—a purpose-built racing machine that costs about $2500.The new entry-level racing kart was developed specifically to make participating in motorsports easier and more affordable. The 183-pound GR Kart is powered by a 215-cc engine, and is designed so an entire family can share it; adjustable pedals and a tilting steering wheel accommodate drivers ranging from 135 to 185 centimeters tall, or roughly 4-foot-5 to 6-foot-1. Unfortunately, Americans won't be accommodated, as Toyota is initially selling it only in Japan.That is a bummer, but it doesn't make the GR Kart any less intriguing. Toyota even addressed some of the less-glamorous problems associated with kart ownership: getting the thing to the track and finding somewhere to put it afterward. The GR Kart fits inside Toyota's Noah and Voxy minivans without being disassembled, and owners can even store it vertically without draining the gasoline or engine oil, as Toyota developed the fuel system and oil catch tank specifically to make that possible.Toyota Gazoo RacingMaintenance has also been simplified. A belt-drive system eliminates the mess and maintenance associated with a conventional chain, while an automatic tensioner removes the need for periodic belt adjustment. There's also a dedicated GR app offering instructional material, and a digital "driver's passport" that can allow owners to drive at participating tracks without obtaining a separate track license.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe GR Kart is currently being sold through 36 participating kart tracks and seven GR Garage locations across Japan. Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Akio Toyoda has long stated that he wants motorsports to be easy for people to take up, like baseball or soccer. A $200,000-plus GR GT isn't going to accomplish that. But a $2500 racing kart that kids and parents can share, fits in the family van, and is simplicity itself to maintain? That just might.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
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