| Go karts were first created in the United States in | | | | many family fun centers and amusement parks. |
| the 1950s with the majority of historians crediting Art | | | | So what is a go kart? Go karts are made up of a |
| Ingels as the inventor. He built his first go kart in | | | | chassis, motor, transmission, seat and 4 tires. Since |
| California in 1956 and it was during this post-war | | | | go karts have no suspension the chassis must |
| period where airmen raced these go karts as a way | | | | provide flexibility and yet retain enough stiffness to |
| to pass the time. | | | | allow the kart good grip around the track and |
| They are referred to as go karts, go carts, go-karts, | | | | through the turns. The chassis can be either open or |
| shifter karts, gokarts and many other differently | | | | closed. Simply put, the closed, or caged chassis, |
| spelled variations. Go karts are related to open-wheel | | | | allows protection for the driver in the event of a |
| racing such as Formula One and Indy Car. In fact, | | | | rollover. The open chassis does not. |
| many top professional race car drivers, including | | | | Engines used in karting are typically either 2-stroke or |
| Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, | | | | 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is generally more of a |
| Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty, got their start on the | | | | specialized engine that is made by companies such as |
| go kart racing circuit. | | | | Honda or Briggs and Stratton (who also make |
| Go kart enthusiasts can easily become addicted to | | | | lawnmower engines). In fact, 4-stroke engines are |
| the thrill of racing. Once you've experienced the | | | | usually the standard type used in lawn mowers. The |
| excitement it's hard to let it go. There are ATV all | | | | 2-stroke is usually more powerful than the 4-stroke |
| terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, mini | | | | and can attain up to 30 horsepower or more. |
| bikes and motorcycles, but none give a driver any | | | | Sprint karts can usually get up to about 60 mph while |
| more of an adrenaline-rush than the popular go kart. | | | | the more powerful enduro karts can reach a top |
| They are simple 4-wheeled vehicles with no | | | | speed of up to 90 mph. Shifter karts use a manual |
| suspension (relying on chassis flex). They are basically | | | | transmission and a clutch to bring out all the engine |
| just a smaller version of the professional open wheel | | | | has to offer and can reach speeds of 160 mph or |
| cars and race on similar, but smaller, racing tracks. | | | | more. These are not toys. |
| Go karting can be a stepping stone for drivers | | | | As with Formula One racing the kart tires can be |
| desiring to work their way up to professional Formula | | | | either slicks or rain tires. Slicks have no tread and are |
| One or Indy Car racing. It's a cheaper way to get | | | | used for best traction on a dry track. Rain tires have |
| involved with racing. If a driver shows talent on the | | | | tread and are used during wet weather. And in icy |
| go kart circuit he can then move up to the more | | | | conditions there are specially-made spiked tires that |
| expensive divisions of motor racing including Formula | | | | give good grip on the slippery ice. |
| One and Indy Car. | | | | Go karts are generally considered a safer and |
| But go karting is not just for the | | | | cheaper way to get into racing. With the many |
| professionally-minded. Most of the time go karts are | | | | different levels available drivers can move up the line |
| raced by non-professionals, people just out for a little | | | | until they reach the professional level. With the right |
| fun. Go karts have become popular all over the world | | | | mixture of talent and practice racing alongside the |
| and are found in most larger cities. For the faint of | | | | top pros is certainly a possibility. |
| heart there are extremely tame tracks located in | | | | |