Tag: karting

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.

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.