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