Tag: go kart

All About The Go Kart

Posted by Kris Tinarko – August 5, 2009

Go kart racing is a common American pass time (and is popular in Europe, as well). Since the tiny, low riding, affordable kart was first produced in 1958, it has only gained in popularity. Appealing to both kids and adults, available in a variety of speeds (and even at-home assembly kits), this likeable, speedy little vehicle really has a lot going for it. Interested in the karting world but don’t know much about it? Here’s a quick overview of the kart’s structure, how it is raced, and why it is so popular.

The kart itself is really a quite simple vehicle, as motorized cars go. It consists of a steel chassis, engine, non-differential transmission, brakes and small tires. There is no suspension. Of course, as with all vehicles ‘simple’ does not necessarily mean ‘cheap’ or ‘unrefined.’ Some of the high end karts cost thousands of dollars and are designed to be extremely refined, extremely fast (up to 160 miles per hour) vehicles.

When buying a go kart, you decide whether you want a pre-assembled kart, or one that you assemble yourself. At-home assembly is especially popular among families who buy the vehicle as a gift for their kids. Learning to put it together is half the fun, and it gives kids a basic knowledge of mechanics, as well as extra pride in their vehicles. The more competitive karts, on the other hand, are probably better bought pre-assembled, as they are less of a hobby and more of as fine-tuned competitive machine.

In terms of go kart racing, there are several racing formats commonly used. Sprints are fast but relatively short races, of which drivers will race several qualifying races until making it to a final, that send drivers through right and left turns. Speedway races are faster, involving four laps around an oval track made of clay or asphalt. Endurance (“Enduro” for short) races are to karting as cross country running is to track and field. They generally last 30-45 minutes, but the famous French race, “24 Hours of Le Mans” lasts, as you would expect, for 24 hours.

Certainly go karts are popular among younger drivers due to their size, and famous racers like Jeff Gordon often get their start in karting. But it is also a legitimate adult sport, with many national and international competition organizations established exclusively for adults.

The Go Kart: Fuelling Thrill And Fun For Generations

Posted by Kris Tinarko – July 13, 2009

If you are interested in racing and appreciate economy, speed, and something you can make by yourself at home, then certainly you are a fan of the go kart. A relatively simple vehicle as single-seat racing cars go, this is one of the smallest and most fun motorized cars you will find.

Go-karting is popular all over the world, but it actually originated in Southern California in the 1950s. But even before then, standard automobiles lent themselves to the sport when they began to get higher speeds and could be, gradually, produced in smaller sizes.

Somewhere between a riding lawnmower and a racecar, the go kart offers a manageable size and a manageable yet exciting speed. If you have only gone karting in the controlled environment of an amusement park, you have probably gone no faster than 15 or maybe 20 miles per hour, but karts designed for speed and competition can go as fast as 160 miles per hour. Most at-home or do-it-yourself models give speeds of somewhere in the middle, often around 80 and 85 miles per hour for top speeds.

If you are considering becoming involved in karting just for fun, then you may want to buy a do it yourself kit, to build the go kart yourself. Since the sport involves small vehicles and controlled environments, children as young as 8 can usually compete, so this is a good family activity.

A kit for building the kart yourself will probably run several hundred dollars, with the price of course varying by how fast you want it to go and other factors.

If you choose to buy the kart, there are dozens of models available. Some of the most well known names in the karting industry, in terms of manufacturers, are Gillard, Margay Products, and Rotax. Other more common models are made by Stingray, Voodoo, Carson, Razor, and similar companies.

If you are looking for a fun activity for yourself or a loved one (young or not-so-young), a go kart is a fun way to get outside, get a little speed, and work on your reflexes while enjoying the thrill of the ride.

The Go Kart: Where Racing Stars Start Small

Posted by Kris Tinarko – June 12, 2009

Some of the world’s most famous race car drivers got their start in a much smaller, much more affordable, much more kid friendly vehicle: the go kart. Go karts were first made in the late 1950s, by a man named Art Ingels, who lived and worked in Southern California.

Today, kids from all over the world get karts as gifts, or work with their parents to assemble their very own, and spend countless hours driving around (or thinking about driving around when they’re ‘stuck’ inside).

The go kart is a simple machine: a small engine on a light but sturdy frame that sits very low to the ground. Karts made for amusement parks generally are capped at a speed of 15 miles per hour, but karts for competitive use often reach speeds in the mid 80s. The highest recorded speed is reported to be 160 miles per hour.

The slightly faster kart is generally what a young racer will start on (not too fast to be safe, of course). Such big names as Jeff Gordon and many others got their start behind the wheel of the go kart. Now they are racing in DuPont/Pepsi, NASCAR, the Busch Series, the Winston Cup, and other notable competitions.

What makes karting such a good learning tool for eventual competition in larger, faster vehicles? Well for one, it is a manageable size for smaller bodies. This doesn’t mean it cannot be pursued by adults (it can, and often is!), but that it is just a particularly effective avenue for younger drivers to get comfortable in a vehicle before they start getting into larger and faster cars.

Skills that karting helps these young drivers acquire include such things as:

  • A sense of turning, steering, and fine tuned control of the wheel
  • Confidence in acceleration (and learning when and how much to push the gas pedal)
  • A good grip on braking (and learning how to brake effectively without losing control of the vehicle)
  • How to ride along side other drivers (to remain competitive without driving dangerously close to another car)

These are basic skills, and ones that ‘stick’ and become more refined when learned at a younger age. Karting is a great way to get kids started out. Of course, most young karters don’t go professional. But they still have a good time.

Great Gift Idea: The Go Kart

Posted by Kris Tinarko – May 26, 2009

The go kart is an excellent gift idea for that kid in your life who likes speed, or who enjoys putting things together, or who likes both! That “kid” can be someone young in years (or not so young in years, as karting is also popular with many adults). There are countless reasons for the go kart’s appeal. Here are just a few.

  1. Affordability. Budget matters, and even ‘toys’ can be quite pricey, especially when they come with a motor. Karts are smaller than a lot of other racing vehicles, they use less fuel than other motorized cars, and they don’t require building on extra storage space like so many other hobbies do.
  2. Speed. While the go kart you pay to ride at your regional amusement park will probably go no faster than 15 miles per hour, competitive karts have been clocked going as fast as 160 miles per hour! For most non-competitive enthusiasts, those karts are excessive in speed and price, so there are many, many models that fall in the middle.
  3. Safety. Since the person you are buying this go kart for may be young and small, or really because everyone should be careful when operating a motorized vehicle, it’s important to address safety. Getting a model that goes only up to an appropriate speed is a first-step safety precaution. Always wear a helmet when riding. And make sure the courses you race on are regulated, well cared for, and supervised. Because of these common precautions, karting is generally a very safe and reliable sport.
  4. Family bonding. One of the most popular ways of getting a kart is to buy a kit that lets you do it yourself. Assembling the kart is the modern day version of the soapbox derby, where kids and parents bond (and kids learn a bit, too) while assembling what will be a fun and exciting toy.
  5. Skills. Karting is the first step for many of the world’s leading full-size racecar drivers. It’s a great way for kids to get acquainted with steering, acceleration, and braking, and to get a feel for what it’s like to navigate a course along side other vehicles. Who knows: your kid might grow up to be the next Nascar champion! But it’s more likely that he or she will just have a lot of fun.

Go Kart Mania: What’s The Fuss?

Posted by Kris Tinarko – March 2, 2009

The go kart is a relatively simple but very exciting machine. Small in size, capable in speed (when built for high pace use), and appealing to young and old alike, karting has become a popular pass time for many reasons. Let’s look into some of the top reasons that people come to (and stay with) the sport.

The go kart itself was first made in 1958 in Southern California, by a man named Art Ingels. Today, karts of all performance levels are produced worldwide, with at home enthusiasts, amusement park guests, and competitive racers manning karts that go anywhere from 15 to 160 miles per hour. It’s really all about what you are looking for and where you intend to ride.

Occasional recreation is one of the top categories for go kart use. In this case, you can usually enjoy the sport without needing to invest in the equipment yourself. There are hundreds of karting tracks that will let you pay to ride for a certain amount of time on their course. These karts are built to be substantial and extra durable in terms of safety (since often times customers are amateur), and your fee should include all needed safety equipment as well. (Karting in amusement parks is even more affordable, but is generally the slowest in terms of speed, for safety reasons.)

Recreational assembly is another reason people like go-karting. More modern (and faster) than the traditional ‘soapbox derby,’ assembling go-karts has become a bonding experience for parents and kids everywhere. In most cases, buying the kart unassembled is more affordable than buying one that’s already put together. It also teaches kids about following directions and how vehicles work, not to mention being a nice family bonding experience.

Speed and sport bring competitive racers to a whole different level. Karting itself is popular not only with kids but with adults, too. Competitive leagues abound in Europe and the United States. And for kids who go on to pursue competitive racing in larger cars (like Nascar, etc.), the go kart is an excellent way for them to learn the basics of racing and work on their skills in a vehicle that is more suited to their size.

The kart you go with will of course vary depending on your goals for the experience. But competitive or leisurely, fast or less fast, you’re sure to have fun.