What are Go-karts?

Monday, May 25th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

What are go-karts? Go-karts are a small, open wheel motor vehicle. Go-karts come in various forms such as motorless, high performance and high powered. The high performance go-karts are meant for competitive motor sports. People typically associate go-carts with small children, people of all ages participate in go-kart racing.

Go-kart racing is a very popular motor sport in the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are many different go-kart racing leagues and go-kart racing national championships around the world. FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) regulate Formula One races and are in charge of overseeing international go-kart racing competitions.

The go-kart that is the simplest type of go-kart, is referred to as a soap-box cart or a billy kart. These go-karts are just a box with wheels attached to them. Soap-box carts have no engines and they heavily rely on gravity. When you race a soap-box cart, the races take place down a steep, single hill. Children usually participate in soap-box racing, as an introduction to racing. Children find it quite fun and they move towards other forms of motor sports when they become older.

Motorized go-karts are known for their power and complexity. Two stroke engine go-karts and Four-stroke go-karts are very powerful. Some of these motorized go-karts use alternate forms of power supplies. Electric motors, alcohol fuel, and propane engines are some of the alternative power supplies that are used. Go-karts power can range anywhere from 15 horsepower and 90 horsepower. A few motorized go-karts can go above 90 horsepower.

Go-karts can be raced on a variety of different racetracks. Simple Short circuit tracks are well-known racetracks that are intended for amateur go-kart racers and children. The length of the simple short circuit tracks is under 1 km. Go-karts provided in simple short circuit tracks are intended to be for entertainment purposes and safety.

Go-karts raced on longer tracks are often shared with high performance motor sports such as NASCAR. Longer tracks are used for competitive go-kart racing. On occasion, these tracks are rented out for recreation. Many amateurs want to gain experience by racing a high-powered go-kart.

Go-karts are highly adaptive and can be used on a number of customizable tracks. In the United States, dirt tracks are commonly used for karting. Go-kart racing on ice tracks does exist and the vehicles have been modified with specialized spike wheels to increase traction. Go-karts speeds can be extraordinary. Reaching speeds of 90 mph (regular go-karts) to 160 mph for professional go-karts.

Prices on go-karts are distinguished by the quality and performance. An amateur go-kart can range from $300 and a professional go-kart could cost over $10,000.

Go-karts have been a great stepping-stone for other forms of motor sports. Go-karts are overlooked by many to be just a toy. Go-karts have influenced many amateur racers to pursue careers in motor sports like NASCAR and Formula One.

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