The Thrill Of Go Kart Racing

racing go karts

It may be hard to believe, but the legendary Formula One race car driver Michael Schumacher began his career in go kart racing. Many other famous racers also got their start racing go karts. Gokarts are a fantastic way to learn the basic principles of racing that can be applied to motor sport races down the line. Professional racing is usually beyond the reach of most people, so it is easy to see how go karting is an economical alternative.

The maximum speed that gokarts can achieve depends on a lot of factors. The 2-stroke engines can provide speeds of 100 mph or more. The superkart is the fastest kart available and can attain speeds of 160 mph and it typically has a 2-stroke engine and comes equipped with a 6-speed transmission. Because karts typically only weigh about 250 pounds, they can accelerate very quickly and can pump out 50 horse power or more.

The typical racing formats are as follows:

Sprint: These races take place on dedicated go kart tracks which range from a quarter mile to a mile and are mostly small dirt ovals. Sprint Karts sit low with the engine positioned immediately on their left side. Sprint racing consists of a number of short-duration races with a set number of laps, along with point scoring calculations to decide the overall winner.

Endurance: These types of races last over extended periods of time, ranging anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. In Endurance racing, pit strategy, consistency and reliability are more important than speed. This type of racing is also known as Enduro and it takes a while to move up the ranks to get to this level.

Speedway: These races take place on asphalt or clay kart tracks, which are typically a quarter of a mile long. The tracks are normally oval in shape and consist of two straight sections and four left corner turns.

Great versatility is a key feature in go kart racing. Gokarts in many different classes can run on both pavement and dirt and on several different sizes of ovals, as well as on road courses at the national track level.

It is thrilling, but it can also be dangerous racing. Imagine running at a high rate of speed with your body just a few inches off of the track. Of course safety is not neglected. Gloves, jackets and approved helmets are required. In addition, with the caged karts, seatbelts and arm restraints are mandatory. Go kart frames are built of steel, and the body is made of fiberglass. They have a high-tech braking system that uses a set of rear disc brakes, and they feature a super-responsive, straight-steering system.

What are the two main reasons why people are so into go kart racing? To have a great time and to experience the heady thrill of competition. It is a sport open to almost everyone, from age five to age seventy-five and older. In a short time frame, gokarts have progressed from homemade, backyard buggies to modern racing pieces of machinery. Because it teaches control and helps a new driver get a feel for the road, it is the perfect vehicle for a beginner.