| Imagine - ripping your torso as you hit a curve | | | | frames mean easier maneuvering along the track, |
| launching your sprint kart down the circuit. Pressing | | | | especially when turning as to maintain good "side bite" |
| on the accelerator as you exercise dead-on | | | | and control of the kart. Because non-professional |
| hand-and-eye coordination determining the smartest | | | | go-karts have no sophisticated traction and |
| way to turn the drift in the 21st minute of an | | | | suspension system to withstand bumps, frames are |
| hour-long enduro race. Or perhaps be a spectator - | | | | usually subject to more punishment. |
| routing for the likes of Fernando Alonso and Michael | | | | Sprint kart tires usually do not have indented |
| Schumacher as they race neck-and-neck on the last | | | | grooves, as they are soft in nature and more suited |
| lap. | | | | to all-terrain. 900 BHP horsepower engines are the |
| Guess what - you are breathing and witnessing (even | | | | norm for souped-up Honda Formula One karts. |
| smelling the distinctive aroma of clay dirt on the dirt | | | | Capable of reaching speeds of 200+ mph, they |
| track) the atmosphere that comes with go-kart | | | | represent the all-out nature of karting technology. For |
| racing. Developed in the 1950´s by pilots with a zest | | | | the novices, a simple 2-cycle engine will do! Running |
| for tinkering with motorcycle engines to propel simple | | | | on gasoline and electricity instead of petrol (typically |
| frames, go-karting extended internationally after the | | | | mixed with other fuels to suit environmental |
| construction of the first go-kart by Art Ingels in | | | | conditions for Formula One,) sprint karts run on either |
| Pasadena. Before dwelling on it's mass European | | | | 2-cycle or 4-cycle engines. 4-cycle engines are the |
| appeal and discussing the pinnacle of Formula 1 racing, | | | | weakest engine around, with horsepower topping 20 |
| let's backtrack for a second. Riding go-karts (or | | | | HP. Think of the power needed to run a heavy-duty |
| karting) is the best way to break into professional | | | | vacuum cleaner - that's how much power a 4-cycle |
| racing. It is the simplest means of exploding your | | | | engine exerts. 2-cycle engines are typically associated |
| chassis down the track before getting into the | | | | with the likes of Vespas (European motor scooters) |
| sophisticated arena of professional racing. Single | | | | and mopeds. These go up to 90 HP. Added cylinders |
| cylinder engines, basic chassis models, and lack of | | | | (individual horsepower generators in go-karts) can |
| speed producing components provide go-kart racing | | | | boost horsepower, adding pure speed & power to |
| with the air of simplicity, geared towards beginners | | | | your machine. Perhaps 10-cylinder Formula One kart |
| and novices. | | | | engines and its incredible capabilities ring bells to you |
| The concept of sprint karting comes to our mind | | | | now! Want pinpoint control over the speed of your |
| when we think of the prototypical kart & track in | | | | go-kart? No problem here! Go-karts have basic |
| amusement parks, recreational areas, and arcade | | | | transmission systems with gears that control speed |
| palaces. Impeccable karts with sleek designs and | | | | to its desired amount. |
| sturdy frames rip through on short tracks, usually | | | | Coming with clutches, shifter karts (a popular type of |
| made from asphalt or concrete - ranging from half a | | | | sprint kart that allows you to move at a certain |
| mile to a mile in length. | | | | amount of speeds) make the best use of engine |
| Sprint karting is divided into classes (think boxing | | | | power when zipping along a straight path or |
| middleweights and welterweights) that distinguish | | | | maneuvering over the short or wide curve. |
| engine-types (two-and four-cycle), driver (classified | | | | Depending on the amount of cylinders and engine, |
| according to age and weight), brand of kart (Yamaha | | | | shifter enthusiasts can lay opponents in their dust |
| and Honda are popular choices), and specifications. No | | | | blazing trails up to 90 mph. Shifters usually run on |
| carbon-fiber made frames and McLarens built with | | | | larger road courses known as road racing. It is flush in |
| lightweight materials here! Sprint karting is a simplified, | | | | structure with qualification criteria like class of kart, |
| scaled-down form of professional go-kart racing with | | | | weight of driver, etc. Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha |
| shorter tracks, downgraded technology, less | | | | are popular suppliers of engines. These companies are |
| experienced drivers, and downgraded components | | | | at the forefront of karting technology, regularly |
| across the board. Other forms of karting include | | | | tinkering with what's already available or creating new |
| enduro racing. Endurance racing, or "enduro" for short | | | | concepts of their own. Sprint karting opportunities |
| is a prolonged version of sprint. Propelled by | | | | are available to everyone. |
| aerodynamical butterfly steering, enduro karts are an | | | | If you want to enjoy it as a form of recreation |
| upgrade over sprint karts - participating in races | | | | instead of competition, visit your local track and rent |
| lasting an hour or more. Dirt, oval tracks is the staple | | | | a kart! Make sure to sign any insurance waivers and |
| of endurance racing and is more prevalent in the | | | | become acquainted with the rules and regulations! If |
| Midwest than anywhere else. Because of the long | | | | you like to compete, inquire from within. Sprint |
| racing period, special emphasis is paid to durable karts | | | | karting is one of the least expensive sports out |
| and pit stop maintenance than focusing on just | | | | there. People from all walks of life and all economic |
| speed. | | | | backgrounds can drive a kart, or even purchase their |
| In runner's terms, enduro is a marathon - not a sprint. | | | | own with a powerful engine. There are many karting |
| If you sacrifice chassis and tire maintenance for | | | | schools available all over the nation that will let you |
| speed throughout the course of a race, reaching the | | | | ride their karts for a nominal fee. |
| finish line is out of the question. Behind every | | | | In essence, karting is more than a pastime. It is a |
| successful sprint car are its well-performing | | | | bonafide sport capable of preparing you for more |
| components, specifically its frame, engine, and tires. | | | | advanced karting by helping you shape your |
| The dynamics of a go-kart is two-fold: to be built to | | | | judgment, hand-eye coordination abilities, and |
| withstand the rigors of racing and to serve as the | | | | technological/dynamical know-how of the instruments |
| backbone for speed. Usually made of steel, frames | | | | you're using. |
| have the option of being flexible or not. Flexible | | | | |