| What started out as a way for airmen in the | | | | anyone can drive one, regardless of their |
| 1950s to pass the time has turned into a popular | | | | experience level, go carts have become |
| worldwide sport for many. Go carts have quickly | | | | extremely popular all over the world. They can be |
| become a phenomenon all over the globe. With | | | | found in just about every large city either in |
| most historians giving Art Ingels the credit for | | | | family fun centers or other venues.A go cart is |
| inventing the go cart, he built his very first one | | | | made up of a chassis, motor, transmission, seat |
| back in 1956. But that first go cart was nothing | | | | and 4 tires and a few other odds and ends. As |
| compared to the models we have today. Newer | | | | mentioned earlier they have no suspension. The |
| more modern go carts can now travel 160 mph | | | | chassis must provide the stiffness and also |
| or faster. Now that's amazing.This miniature | | | | enough flexibility to allow the cart to grip the road |
| Formula One racing machine is referred to by a | | | | well on the straightaways as well as in the turns. |
| lot of names including go carts, go karts, go-carts, | | | | The chassis can be either open or caged. The |
| shifter carts, gocarts, gokarts, enduro carts, and | | | | caged chassis allows protection for the driver in |
| a number of other ways. But one thing is for | | | | the event of a rollover while the open chassis |
| sure, getting behind the wheel of one of them is | | | | does not. The cage performs a similar function as |
| exciting. Go carts are related to open-wheel | | | | does a roll bar.Engines used in carting are typically |
| Formula One or Indy Car racing. If you've ever | | | | either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. They are made by |
| wanted to know what it feels like to race a | | | | manufacturers such as Honda or Briggs and |
| Formula 1 or Indy Car, while still being as safe as | | | | Stratton among others. You would think that the |
| possible, go carts would be your best bet. And | | | | 4-stroke engines would be more powerful than |
| that's probably what Michael Schumacher, Sarah | | | | the 2-stroke engines, but that's not usually the |
| Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Kyle | | | | case.If you have ever wondered how fast go |
| Petty all thought when they were kids. They all | | | | carts can travel you will be amazed at the top |
| started their racing careers in go carts. With | | | | speeds. Sprint carts can usually get up to about |
| speeds as high as 160 mph these little machines | | | | 60 mph while the more powerful enduro carts |
| can travel as fast as the professional race car | | | | can reach a top speed of about 90 mph. And if |
| drivers do on many of their tracks.There are | | | | that's not fast enough for you how about the |
| many different options available today for people | | | | shifter karts that reach top speeds of 160 mph |
| that want an exciting vehicle to drive. There are | | | | or more. You heard right, that is not a misprint |
| ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, go peds, mini | | | | and these are certainly not toys. Transmissions |
| bikes and motorcycles. But go carts are the | | | | differ from cart to cart, but the shifter carts use |
| closest thing you will find to the thrill of Formula 1, | | | | a manual transmission with a clutch that allows the |
| NASCAR or Indy Car racing. They are small | | | | driver to get the most out of the motor.It seems |
| open-wheeled vehicles with 4 wheels and no | | | | as though every part of the go cart has become |
| suspension. Instead of a suspension they rely on | | | | a separate entity, a specialized piece of equipment |
| chassis flex. They are basically a smaller version | | | | with different options available to the purchaser. |
| of the professional open wheel race cars.Many | | | | And with regard to the tires they are certainly no |
| hopefuls who dream of one day racing at the pro | | | | exception. In dry weather slicks are used. They |
| level will get their start in go carting. Go carts can | | | | are smooth tires that grip the road well. And as |
| be a stepping stone to professional Formula One | | | | they heat up while driving they get even better |
| or Indy Car racing. The reason is that there are | | | | traction. During wet weather tires with treads are |
| many different classes in go carting. No matter | | | | needed. These are called rain tires. And of course, |
| what level of experience you have there is a | | | | how could any respectable driver racing on ice do |
| class for you. And as you improve you can move | | | | without specialized spiked tires? That's correct, |
| up to increasingly higher classes with greater | | | | there are even go cart races on ice in some |
| competition. If you can get to the top in a go cart | | | | parts of the world.With the many different levels |
| you may have what it takes for Formula 1 or | | | | available for drivers today anyone can race at a |
| Indy.Professional racing is a very expensive sport. | | | | comfortable level. And the sky is the limit to a |
| But with go carts drivers can get involved on a | | | | talented driver. With a lot of practice, a bunch of |
| shoestring budget. It's a cheaper way to get | | | | talent and a little luck you might find yourself |
| involved with racing. Find out if you have what it | | | | racing alongside Tony Stewart someday. It's |
| takes without breaking the bank to do it.But go | | | | certainly possible.This article about racing fast go |
| carting is not only for the professionally-minded | | | | carts is brought to you by Go Carts Supreme. |
| drivers. Go carts are usually driven by | | | | For more information about carting and go carts |
| non-professionals, people just like you or me, out | | | | visit Go Carts Supreme. |
| for a good time and a lot of excitement. Because | | | | |