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