Go Karts Becoming A Racing Enthusiast








 

 

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Go Karts – Becoming a Racing Enthusiast
by:
Michael Walker


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Go Karts – Becoming a Racing Enthusiast


Imagine – ripping your torso as you hit a curve launching your

sprint kart down the circuit. Pressing on the accelerator as you

exercise dead-on hand-and-eye coordination determining the

smartest 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 1950´s by pilots with a zest for tinkering with

motorcycle engines to propel simple frames, go-karting extended

internationally after the construction of the first go-kart by

Art Ingels in Pasadena. Before dwelling on it’s 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 lack of speed producing

components provide go-kart racing with the air of simplicity,

geared towards beginners and novices.


The concept of sprint karting comes to our 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), brand of kart (Yamaha and Honda are popular choices),

and specifications. No carbon-fiber made frames and McLarens

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 is the staple of endurance

racing and is more prevalent in the Midwest than anywhere else.

Because of the long racing period, special emphasis is paid to

durable karts and pit stop maintenance than focusing on just

speed. In runner’s terms, enduro is a marathon – not a sprint.

If you sacrifice chassis and tire maintenance for speed

throughout the course of a race, reaching the finish line is out

of the question.


Behind every successful sprint car are its well-performing

components, specifically its frame, engine, and tires. The

dynamics of a go-kart is 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 as 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

usually do not have indented grooves, as they are soft in nature

and more suited to all-terrain.


900 BHP horsepower engines are the norm for souped-up Honda

Formula One karts. 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 the likes of 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 its 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. Coming with clutches,

shifter karts (a popular type of sprint kart that allows you to

move at a certain amount of speeds) make the best use of engine

power when zipping along a straight path or maneuvering over the

short or wide curve. Depending on the amount of cylinders and

engine, shifter enthusiasts can lay opponents in their dust

blazing trails up to 90 mph. Shifters usually run on larger road

courses known as road racing. It is flush in structure with

qualification criteria like 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 of their own.


Sprint karting opportunities are available to everyone. If you

want to enjoy it as a form of recreation instead of competition,

visit your local track and rent a kart! Make sure to sign any

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 the instruments you’re using.


Michael Walker is a freelance author providing information about

a variety of go-kart topics including http://www.go-kart-kits. com , http://www.go-kart-kits.com/go-kart-frames.html and

http://www.go-kart-kits.com/go-karts-engines.html His articles

prove to be both a useful and entertaining resource of valuable

information for the karting enthusiast.

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing information about

a variety of go-kart topics including http://www.go-kart-kits. com , http://www.go-kart-kits.com/go-kart-frames.html and

http://www.go-kart-kits.com/go-karts-engines.html His articles

prove to be both a useful and entertaining resource of valuable

information for the karting enthusiast.


Contact him at http://www.go-kart-kits.com

 


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