| Back in the olden days, when the only go kart tracks | | | | are well-prepared with safety in mind it is possible to |
| in the neighborhood were located at the nearby | | | | keep your risks low and remain relatively safe on the |
| family fun centers, accidents were few and far | | | | track. On the other hand, any sport can be |
| between. But with the specialized go kart tracks and | | | | dangerous if you haven't carefully prepared and |
| the higher speeds we see today it is wise to be | | | | throw caution to the wind. |
| aware of and to follow a few simple safety | | | | So exactly how fast are we talking about when we |
| precautions. With the lower speeds of yesteryear it | | | | say that go karts reach some amazing speeds |
| was easy to drive safely, but times have changed. | | | | today? A normal racing kart can reach speeds of up |
| Nowadays you must be aware of what can happen | | | | to 60 mph. But an enduro kart can get up to 90 mph |
| on the track and be prepared for it. But with a little | | | | and a shifter kart 160 mph or possibly even faster. |
| bit of preparation go karting can be a thrilling | | | | Now that's burning rubber! Flipping your vehicle over |
| experience. Racing takes all forms, from ATVs to | | | | or getting hit from the side at any of these speeds |
| scooters, from motorcycles to mopeds, but go karts | | | | is not something you want to do. That's why it's |
| are the only form that will give you the thrill of | | | | important to take precautions at every stage. |
| Formula One racing without as much of the danger. | | | | We have already mentioned that if you don't feel |
| It's hard losing control of a go kart when it's traveling | | | | comfortable at these high speeds you can race in a |
| at a top speed of 5 mph, but it's a very common | | | | class that matches your experience level. So don't |
| thing at 60 mph. It's the drivers who have the | | | | start sweating just yet. The number one cause of |
| attitude "it won't happen to me" that seem to end | | | | accidents is carelessness. And no matter how careful |
| up in trouble more often. And when a driver thinks of | | | | you may be you must remember that you will be |
| his gokart as a toy instead of a racing vehicle that's | | | | racing against drivers that may not be as careful. So |
| where the trouble can begin. But on the contrary, it's | | | | race in a class that fits your comfort zone. |
| the drivers that take safety precautions seriously | | | | Helmets are a must at any speed. Find a quality |
| that have the most fun with the least accidents. So | | | | helmet that will protect you from serious head injury |
| driver beware. | | | | if the unforeseen should happen. Head injuries are |
| There is a certain amount of risk at any speed, but | | | | usually the most serious of injuries when racing and |
| most accidents can be prevented with some | | | | avoiding these types of injuries is priority number |
| common sense and preparation. From the type of go | | | | one. Clothing is also important. Go-carts carry fuel |
| kart you buy to the type of safety equipment you | | | | which can catch fire in a crash. This is why it's |
| use can determine your level of risk. Anything is | | | | important to wear a fire-resistant racing suit, gloves |
| possible once you're on the track, head injuries, | | | | and protective shoes. If the front of your gokart |
| broken bones, fires and more. That's why it's | | | | should hit another car or barrier it's the feet that |
| necessary to have all of your safety measures in line | | | | most often get injured. A special pair of shoes can |
| before actually climbing into your gokart. | | | | protect you from many foot injuries. |
| The first step to being safe is to race your go kart | | | | Buying a safe go kart is another important thing to |
| in a class that you are prepared for. There are many | | | | think about. Most gokarts these days have a cage |
| go cart classes that will cater to every age range | | | | that protects the driver during a rollover. They also |
| from kids to adults and to every experience level | | | | have strong side bars that prevent injuries when |
| from none to professional. Learning to drive a go kart | | | | another driver rams into the side of your vehicle. |
| is a skill that can be mastered fairly quickly, but | | | | These are two important safety features that you |
| becoming a great driver may take a much longer | | | | should not be racing without. It's better to spend a |
| time. It's best to drive in a class with drivers of your | | | | little extra money on a well-built go kart than to |
| same experience level. Once you improve your skills | | | | skimp and leave yourself less protected. In order for |
| you can then advance to the next carting level. | | | | you to have fun you must lessen your risks as much |
| Racing against drivers that are much better than you | | | | as possible. |
| can spell trouble on the track, so it's smart to move | | | | We have presented only the main safety precautions |
| up in class only when you have acquired the skills to | | | | in this short article. By keeping safety as your |
| do so. | | | | number one goal your go karting experience should |
| With the high speeds we see today is it actually | | | | be a fun one instead of a risky one. And with a little |
| possible to race go-karts safely? There are two | | | | practice maybe we'll be watching you race alongside |
| answers to that question. On the one hand, if you | | | | Tony Stewart one day. |