| What a thrill it must have been, racing around the | | | | But go carting is not only for the |
| track in a go cart, a speedy miniature car that had | | | | professionally-minded drivers. Go carts are usually |
| never even existed before. Go carts have only been | | | | driven by non-professionals, people just like you or |
| around for about 50 years, but what an impact they | | | | me, out for a good time and a lot of excitement. |
| have made on the public in that short period of time. | | | | Because anyone can drive one, regardless of their |
| What started out as a way for airmen in the 1950s | | | | experience level, go carts have become extremely |
| to pass the time has turned into a popular worldwide | | | | popular all over the world. They can be found in just |
| sport for many. Go carts have quickly become a | | | | about every large city either in family fun centers or |
| phenomenon all over the globe. With most historians | | | | other venues. |
| giving Art Ingels the credit for inventing the go cart, | | | | A go cart is made up of a chassis, motor, |
| he built his very first one back in 1956. But that first | | | | transmission, seat and 4 tires and a few other odds |
| go cart was nothing compared to the models we | | | | and ends. As mentioned earlier they have no |
| have today. Newer more modern go carts can now | | | | suspension. The chassis must provide the stiffness |
| travel 160 mph or faster. Now that's amazing. | | | | and also enough flexibility to allow the cart to grip the |
| This miniature Formula One racing machine is referred | | | | road well on the straightaways as well as in the turns. |
| to by a lot of names including go carts, go karts, | | | | The chassis can be either open or caged. The caged |
| go-carts, shifter carts, gocarts, gokarts, enduro carts, | | | | chassis allows protection for the driver in the event |
| and a number of other ways. But one thing is for | | | | of a rollover while the open chassis does not. The |
| sure, getting behind the wheel of one of them is | | | | cage performs a similar function as does a roll bar. |
| exciting. Go carts are related to open-wheel Formula | | | | Engines used in carting are typically either 2-stroke or |
| One or Indy Car racing. If you've ever wanted to | | | | 4-stroke. They are made by manufacturers such as |
| know what it feels like to race a Formula 1 or Indy | | | | Honda or Briggs and Stratton among others. You |
| Car, while still being as safe as possible, go carts | | | | would think that the 4-stroke engines would be more |
| would be your best bet. And that's probably what | | | | powerful than the 2-stroke engines, but that's not |
| Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, | | | | usually the case. |
| Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty all thought when they | | | | If you have ever wondered how fast go carts can |
| were kids. They all started their racing careers in go | | | | travel you will be amazed at the top speeds. Sprint |
| carts. With speeds as high as 160 mph these little | | | | carts can usually get up to about 60 mph while the |
| machines can travel as fast as the professional race | | | | more powerful enduro carts can reach a top speed |
| car drivers do on many of their tracks. | | | | of about 90 mph. And if that's not fast enough for |
| There are many different options available today for | | | | you how about the shifter karts that reach top |
| people that want an exciting vehicle to drive. There | | | | speeds of 160 mph or more. You heard right, that is |
| are ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, go peds, mini | | | | not a misprint and these are certainly not toys. |
| bikes and motorcycles. But go carts are the closest | | | | Transmissions differ from cart to cart, but the shifter |
| thing you will find to the thrill of Formula 1, NASCAR | | | | carts use a manual transmission with a clutch that |
| or Indy Car racing. They are small open-wheeled | | | | allows the driver to get the most out of the motor. |
| vehicles with 4 wheels and no suspension. Instead of | | | | It seems as though every part of the go cart has |
| a suspension they rely on chassis flex. They are | | | | become a separate entity, a specialized piece of |
| basically a smaller version of the professional open | | | | equipment with different options available to the |
| wheel race cars. | | | | purchaser. And with regard to the tires they are |
| Many hopefuls who dream of one day racing at the | | | | certainly no exception. In dry weather slicks are used. |
| pro level will get their start in go carting. Go carts can | | | | They are smooth tires that grip the road well. And as |
| be a stepping stone to professional Formula One or | | | | they heat up while driving they get even better |
| Indy Car racing. The reason is that there are many | | | | traction. During wet weather tires with treads are |
| different classes in go carting. No matter what level | | | | needed. These are called rain tires. And of course, |
| of experience you have there is a class for you. And | | | | how could any respectable driver racing on ice do |
| as you improve you can move up to increasingly | | | | without specialized spiked tires? That's correct, there |
| higher classes with greater competition. If you can | | | | are even go cart races on ice in some parts of the |
| get to the top in a go cart you may have what it | | | | world. |
| takes for Formula 1 or Indy. | | | | With the many different levels available for drivers |
| Professional racing is a very expensive sport. But | | | | today anyone can race at a comfortable level. And |
| with go carts drivers can get involved on a | | | | the sky is the limit to a talented driver. With a lot of |
| shoestring budget. It's a cheaper way to get involved | | | | practice, a bunch of talent and a little luck you might |
| with racing. Find out if you have what it takes | | | | find yourself racing alongside Tony Stewart someday. |
| without breaking the bank to do it. | | | | It's certainly possible. |