| Go karts were first created in the United States | | | | amusement parks. |
| in the 1950s with the majority of historians | | | | So what is a go kart? Go karts are made up of a |
| crediting Art Ingels as the inventor. He built his | | | | chassis, motor, transmission, seat and 4 tires. |
| first go kart in California in 1956 and it was during | | | | Since go karts have no suspension the chassis |
| this post-war period where airmen raced these go | | | | must provide flexibility and yet retain enough |
| karts as a way to pass the time. | | | | stiffness to allow the kart good grip around the |
| They are referred to as go karts, go carts, | | | | track and through the turns. The chassis can be |
| go-karts, shifter karts, gokarts and many other | | | | either open or closed. Simply put, the closed, or |
| differently spelled variations. Go karts are related | | | | caged chassis, allows protection for the driver in |
| to open-wheel racing such as Formula One and | | | | the event of a rollover. The open chassis does |
| Indy Car. In fact, many top professional race car | | | | not. |
| drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, | | | | Engines used in karting are typically either |
| Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty, got | | | | 2-stroke or 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is |
| their start on the go kart racing circuit. | | | | generally more of a specialized engine that is |
| Go kart enthusiasts can easily become addicted | | | | made by companies such as Honda or Briggs and |
| to the thrill of racing. Once you've experienced | | | | Stratton (who also make lawnmower engines). In |
| the excitement it's hard to let it go. There are | | | | fact, 4-stroke engines are usually the standard |
| ATV all terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, scooters, | | | | type used in lawn mowers. The 2-stroke is usually |
| mopeds, mini bikes and motorcycles, but none | | | | more powerful than the 4-stroke and can attain |
| give a driver any more of an adrenaline-rush than | | | | up to 30 horsepower or more. |
| the popular go kart. They are simple 4-wheeled | | | | Sprint karts can usually get up to about 60 mph |
| vehicles with no suspension (relying on chassis | | | | while the more powerful enduro karts can reach a |
| flex). They are basically just a smaller version of | | | | top speed of up to 90 mph. Shifter karts use a |
| the professional open wheel cars and race on | | | | manual transmission and a clutch to bring out all |
| similar, but smaller, racing tracks. | | | | the engine has to offer and can reach speeds of |
| Go karting can be a stepping stone for drivers | | | | 160 mph or more. These are not toys. |
| desiring to work their way up to professional | | | | As with Formula One racing the kart tires can be |
| Formula One or Indy Car racing. It's a cheaper | | | | either slicks or rain tires. Slicks have no tread and |
| way to get involved with racing. If a driver shows | | | | are used for best traction on a dry track. Rain |
| talent on the go kart circuit he can then move up | | | | tires have tread and are used during wet |
| to the more expensive divisions of motor racing | | | | weather. And in icy conditions there are |
| including Formula One and Indy Car. | | | | specially-made spiked tires that give good grip on |
| But go karting is not just for the | | | | the slippery ice. |
| professionally-minded. Most of the time go karts | | | | Go karts are generally considered a safer and |
| are raced by non-professionals, people just out | | | | cheaper way to get into racing. With the many |
| for a little fun. Go karts have become popular all | | | | different levels available drivers can move up the |
| over the world and are found in most larger cities. | | | | line until they reach the professional level. With the |
| For the faint of heart there are extremely tame | | | | right mixture of talent and practice racing |
| tracks located in many family fun centers and | | | | alongside the top pros is certainly a possibility. |