Regulated racing may soon be open to competitors as young as seven after Motor Sports Council agreed to a new trial in MSA Bambino karting.

The governing body has allowed Bambino karting since 2010 but only to a time trial format, with six- and seven-year-olds competing against the clock.

To further develop the category, the MSA and the Kart Committee proposed that an observed Bambino race should be held on a trial basis during the off-season.

The trial race will be open to drivers who have reached their seventh birthday and gained at least six MSA Bambino time trial signatures over no less than four months. The format will include practice, qualifying, a pre-final and a final, with standing starts.

Rob Jones, MSA Chief Executive, said: “Having kept a close eye on the MSA Bambino Kart Championship and spoken to probably every parent on this year’s grid, we believe the time is right to start evolving the format into racing in a properly regulated MSA environment. Should the trial be deemed a success, a 2018 MSA championship for our youngest licensed competitors would be a very exciting prospect for the sport.”

Should the race prove successful, the MSA hopes to introduce a championship trial in 2018, alongside the existing championship run by Zip Kart. More details will be revealed in due course.