Best Camera for Karting: How to Make Your Go Kart Footage Look Fast
By racingdean · 30 May 2025
Whether you're racing for the podium or just reliving your best overtakes, capturing karting footage that feels fast is a must. But not all karting cameras—or setups—are created equal. In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the best camera for karting and how to use mounts, editing, and effects to bring your racing to life.
Choosing the Best Action Camera for Karting
Two popular options for karting action cameras and mounts are:
GoPro Max: The Ultimate Karting Camera?
The GoPro Max is a game-changer for karting footage. It records in full 360°, and honestly, I didn’t believe it until I saw the results myself. Mount it on your kart and you’ll capture forward, rear-facing, and even side-to-side footage in one go—perfect for replaying overtakes, defending lines, or just soaking in the chaos around you.Even when used as a karting helmet camera, the GoPro Max allows for dynamic panning and reframing in post-production. The built-in image stabilisation is top-tier, soaking up vibrations without dulling the sense of speed. And if you don’t need the 360° footage every time, simply switch to Hero Mode and use one lens like a traditional GoPro Hero. It’s basically two cameras in one.
Need to Know About GoPro Max
While it's one of the best action cameras for karting, be warned—it’s heavy on processing power. Editing 360° footage requires a decent understanding of video workflows and a powerful computer. You’ll also need to install the GoPro FX Reframe plugin in Premiere Pro to unlock its full creative potential.
Cambox V3+: The Discreet Helmet Camera for Karting
The Cambox V3+ is a totally different beast. This helmet-mounted karting camera Velcros discreetly inside your visor, making it practically invisible to marshals or indoor track operators. Many indoor circuits allow its use—or simply don’t notice it’s there.
Need to Know About Cambox
According to pro driver Brad Philpot, the V3+ outperforms the V4 for karting. Why? Even though the Cambox V4 shoots in 4K, its battery life often won’t last a full race. The Cambox V3+ keeps rolling when it counts. However, if you race with a tinted visor, expect to adjust your exposure and brightness in your video editor—otherwise, the footage may come out darker than expected.
Where You Mount It Matters
Searches for go kart camera mount or kart camera mount aren’t just about tech—they’re about perspective.
- Nose cone mounts (like in Club100): In some series, this might be your only option. But beware of static, boring shots. Go wide on your field of view to boost the sensation of speed, and try 360° if allowed for more editing flexibility.
- Side pod mounts: Great for picking up kerbs and close racing. But they’re a bit “one-sided” 😂
- Helmet mounts: The most immersive option. The GoPro Max can be attached using a strap-on helmet mount, while the Cambox V3+ sits behind your visor, affixed to the top of the helmet padding.
Make It Feel Fast
Capturing speed on camera is an art. Here’s what makes the difference:
1. Wide Field of View
Use a wide lens or zoom out in post. A wider karting camera shot lets the environment whizz past, tricking the brain into feeling speed.
2. Parallax
Objects close to the camera move faster than those far away. You can create this effect by:
- Broadening the field of view to catch more scenery zipping by
- Mounting the camera near edges, like kerbs or barriers—for example, using a side pod mount
3. Shaky Cam (but not too much)
Some shake = realism. Too much = motion sickness. Strike a balance. You can even fake a bit of vibration in Premiere Pro using directional blur on impact moments—or to mask transitions.
4. Sound FX
Good audio is underrated. Mix in engine noise, crowd reactions, and even a thump when hitting a kerb. Combine helmet cam audio with onboard GoPro sound for a full-spectrum mix—especially if your helmet mic captures chatter.
5. Grading and Music
Boost your exposure and saturation to make the footage pop. And don’t forget the music—fast beats sell fast driving. I grab mine from the YouTube Audio Library for free, high-energy tracks.
Bonus Tip: Editing Tricks
Use cutting to action—switching angles at key moments—to create drama and flow. Even a well-timed fast forward sequence with directional blur can hold the viewer’s attention. And remember: don’t be afraid to cut the boring laps.
Chequered Flag 🏁
If you’re researching the best camera for karting or deciding between a karting helmet camera and a go kart camera mount, remember: it’s not just about the camera—it’s about how you use it. Field of view, parallax, audio, and creative editing all help your audience feel the speed.
So charge your batteries, hit record, and keep experimenting. Because when you nail that perfect overtake—and it looks fast—there’s nothing better.