There are two important features to consider when buying a gokart, such as what size do you need and does it come with safety features? Remember to take into consideration the age and driver training of the primary driver operating the go kart. There are gokarts especially designed for varying degrees of experience; from beginner karts for kids under age ten, to intermediate karts for pre-teens, to full-sized karts for the experienced teen and adult.
Now is the time to decide whether you want to buy a new or used go kart. There are some important things to remember when buying used. Get to know the seller a bit and ask why he or she is selling the kart. You definitely do not want to purchase a go kart that has a worn out chassis or engine.
What began as a way for airmen to pass the time has evolved into a sport known world wide. Gokarts were invented by Art Ingels in 1956 in California. The first go kart that was manufactured was little more than a riding lawn mower. Models available today are equipped with enough power to reach speeds of 160 mph or more. That kind of speed is pretty amazing and it is no wonder why they are so popular worldwide.
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
A go kart is considered a safer and cheap way to get into racing. Drivers can move up the line until they reach the professional level. It is heartening to think that with the right amount of talent and practice, racing alongside the top pros is not out of the realm of possibility.
Let’s talk about a couple types of racing karts; namely the Sprint and Enduro. Sprint karting uses a shorter track and the technology used is less sophisticated. Gokarts are downgraded slightly for this type of racing. The circuit is usually 3/4th mile and the racing format is a series of short laps in duration races, normally for just a few laps that qualify for a final, with a number of point scoring calculations to determine the overall winner.
It is usually three qualifying heats and a final race for trophy positions. Each race typically does not exceed 15 minutes. The key to success in sprint racing is successful passing skills.
A go kart race is a good way to get your foot in the “motor sport field” door. It is both very affordable and less risky. Go karts are fairly easy to handle in spite of the speed. They have a low center of gravity, making them less dangerous than Nascar-type racing. It is a great starting point to sharpen and improve your driving skills on the go kart track before going to the next level in auto racing.
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