The history of go karts can be traced back to the 1950s. Invented by Art Ingels, he built his first go kart in 1956 in California. What started out as a way for airmen to get their thrills has evolved into a worldwide sport for many people. Go karts and kart tracks have become a hit all over the world. While the first karts were comparable to the riding lawn mowers of today, newer models can travel at speeds of 160 mph or more. It’s incredibly amazing how far they have come.
Go karts have many different names and spellings, including go carts, go-carts, pedal go karts, shifter carts, gocarts, gokarts, a superkart, enduro carts, and more. Whatever the name, one thing is certain; driving one is exciting. If you have ever wanted to know how it feels to race Formula 1 or Indy Cars, then a go kart can give you that experience. Kyle Petty, Tony Stewart, Darrell Waltrip, Sarah Fisher and Michael Schumacher, all of whom are professional drivers, got their start racing karts.
So what exactly makes a gokart a gokart? Gokarts have a motor, transmission, chassis, seat and 4 tires. Since they don’t have a suspension, the chassis has to provide flexibility while retaining enough stiffness to let the kart grip around the track, especially through the turns. The chassis can be either be closed, also known as a caged chassis, which allows protection for the driver in the event of a rollover, or open, which provides no driver protection.
Engines used in gokarts are typically either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is usually more specialized and is made by companies like Honda or Briggs and Stratton. The 4-stroke engine is usually the standard type used in lawn mowers. The 2-stroke is typically more powerful than the 4-stroke and can be up to 30 horsepower or more.
As with Formula One racing, the kart tires can be either rain tires or slicks. Slicks have no tread and are used to achieve the best traction on a dry track. Rain tires are used during wet weather and have a tread. Icy conditions warrant specially-made spiked tires that give good grip on slippery surfaces.
Gokarts can be a stepping stone for drivers who want to work their way up to professional Formula One or Indy Car racing. It’s a less expensive way to get involved with racing. Of course, go karts are not just for those who aspire to become professional drivers. Mostly go karts are raced by people who want to have a little fun. Their popularity has reached all over the world. There are kart tracks for every skill level, from the extremely tame tracks located in family fun centers and amusement parks, to high end speed grand prix karting tracks found in larger cities.
The safest and most inexpensive way to get into racing is with a go kart. With the many stages of difficulty and experience, anyone can race at a level most comfortable for them. If you are a talented driver, then a little practice and some luck may get you to the level of racing higher than you might ever have dreamed.
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