Go Karts: Becoming a Racing

Enthusiast

Imagine - ripping your torso as you hit a curve launching your sprint kart down the circuit. You are pressing on the accelerator as you exercise dead-on hand-and-eye coordination determining the most innovative way to turn the drift in the 21st minute of an hour-long enduro race. Or perhaps be a spectator - routing for the likes of Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher as they race neck-and-neck on the last lap. Guess what - you are breathing and witnessing (even smelling the distinctive aroma of clay dirt on the dirt track) the atmosphere that comes with go-kart racing.

Developed in the 1950s by pilots with a zest for tinkering with motorcycle engines to propel simple frames, go-karting extended internationally after constructing the first go-kart by Art Ingels in Pasadena. Before dwelling on its mass European appeal and discussing the pinnacle of Formula 1 racing, let's backtrack for a second. Riding go-karts (or karting) is the best way to break into professional racing. It is the simplest means of exploding your chassis down the track before getting into the sophisticated arena of professional racing. Single-cylinder engines, basic chassis models, and a lack of speed-producing components provide go-kart racing with an air of simplicity for beginners and novices.

Sprint karting comes to mind when we think of the prototypical kart & track in amusement parks, recreational areas, and arcade palaces. Impeccable karts with sleek designs and sturdy frames rip through on short tracks, usually made from asphalt or concrete - ranging from half a mile to a mile in length. Sprint karting is divided into classes (think boxing middleweights and welterweights) that distinguish engine types (two-and four-cycle), driver (classified according to age and weight), a brand of kart (Yamaha and Honda are popular choices), and specifications. No carbon-fiber-made frames, and McLarens are built with lightweight materials here! Sprint karting is a simplified, scaled-down form of professional go-kart racing with shorter tracks, downgraded technology, less experienced drivers, and downgraded components across the board.

Other forms of karting include enduro racing. Endurance racing, or "enduro" for short, is a prolonged version of sprint. Propelled by aerodynamical butterfly steering, enduro karts are an upgrade over sprint karts - participating in races lasting an hour or more. Dirt, oval tracks are the staple of endurance racing and are more prevalent in the Midwest than anywhere else. Because of the long racing period, particular emphasis is paid to durable karts and pit stop maintenance rather than just speed. In runner's terms, enduro is a marathon - not a sprint. Reaching the finish line is out of the question if you sacrifice chassis and tire maintenance for speed throughout a race.

Behind every successful sprint car are its well-performing components, precisely its frame, engine, and tires. The dynamics of a go-kart are two-fold: to be built to withstand the rigors of racing and to serve as the backbone for speed. Usually made of steel, frames have the option of being flexible or not. Flexible frames mean easier maneuvering along the track, especially when turning to maintain good "side bite" and control of the kart. Because non-professional go-karts have no sophisticated traction and suspension system to withstand bumps, frames are usually subject to more punishment. Sprint kart tires typically do not have indented grooves, as they are soft and more suited to all-terrain.

900 BHP horsepower engines are the norm for souped-up Honda Formula One kart. Capable of reaching speeds of 200+ mph, they represent the all-out nature of karting technology. For the novices, a simple 2-cycle engine will do! Running on gasoline and electricity instead of petrol (typically mixed with other fuels to suit environmental conditions for Formula One,) sprint karts run on either 2-cycle or 4-cycle engines. 4-cycle engines are the weakest engine around, with horsepower topping 20 HP. Think of the power needed to run a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner - that's how much power a 4-cycle engine exerts. 2-cycle engines are typically associated with Vespas (European motor scooters) and mopeds. These go up to 90 HP. Added cylinders (individual horsepower generators in go-karts) can boost horsepower, adding pure speed & power to your machine. Perhaps 10-cylinder Formula One kart engines and their incredible capabilities ring bells to you now!

Want pinpoint control over the speed of your go-kart? No problem here! Go-karts have basic transmission systems with gears that control speed to its desired amount. With clutches, shifter karts (a popular type of sprint kart that allows you to move at a certain speed) make the best use of engine power when zipping along a straight path or maneuvering over a short or wide curve. Depending on the number of cylinders and engine, shifter enthusiasts can lay opponents in their dust-blazing trails up to 90 mph. Shifters usually run on more extensive road courses known as road racing. It is flush in structure with qualification criteria like the class of kart, weight of driver, etc. Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha are popular suppliers of engines. These companies are at the forefront of karting technology, regularly tinkering with what's already available or creating new concepts.

Sprint karting opportunities are available to everyone. If you want to enjoy it as a recreation instead of a competition, visit your local track and rent a kart! Make sure to sign insurance waivers and become acquainted with the rules and regulations! If you like to compete, inquire from within. Sprint karting is one of the least expensive sports out there. People from all walks of life and all economic backgrounds can drive a kart or even purchase their own with a powerful engine. There are many karting schools available all over the nation that will let you ride their karts for a nominal fee. In essence, karting is more than a pastime. It is a bonafide sport capable of preparing you for more advanced karting by helping you shape your judgment, hand-eye coordination abilities, and technological/dynamical know-how of your instruments.