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Visit www. go karts com For Information
The distinct aroma and lingering smell of gas and oil burning on the dirt track from a go kart engine is enough to excite any enthusiast, young or old. If you have ever watched a Formula One or NASCAR race in person or on television, then you know how exciting it can be. Can you imagine climbing into one of those off road or racing go karts yourself? The thrill is enormous. The internet is a great source of knowledge, so go online to www.extreme. go karts com for information on getting started.
In either off road or paved track racing, gokarts are geared toward beginners. They are easy to drive and steer, and if you do lose control, there is usually nothing serious to deal with. Young and old will admit that it’s just plain fun racing go karts. Like anything else, there are different levels that you can become involved in with go karting. Go online to www.family. go karts com to get an idea of where to begin.
The bottom line with karting is speed. Speed is where all the excitement comes from. Karts can reach speeds of up to 160 mph or more. While that is fast, don’t start getting nervous just yet. There are many opportunities for thrills and chills at every level. You don’t need to go 90 mph to experience a toe-curling ride. If you have ever thought about getting involved with go karts for driving and/or racing, then it is by no means ever too late and you are never too old.
Whether you are skimming around a blind curve, accelerating down a go kart track, or deftly maneuvering around another go kart, the experience of karting is like no other. To get started, go online and check out web sites like www.family. go karts com to get the latest information on karts and racing in your area. Whether you are a professional or just beginning, a go kart can give you quite a thrill!
The Go Kart – A Brief History
The history of go karts can be traced back to the 1950s. Invented by Art Ingels, he built his first go kart in 1956 in California. What started out as a way for airmen to get their thrills has evolved into a worldwide sport for many people. Go karts and kart tracks have become a hit all over the world. While the first karts were comparable to the riding lawn mowers of today, newer models can travel at speeds of 160 mph or more. It’s incredibly amazing how far they have come.
Miniature Formula One racing machines are referred to by a lot of names including go carts, go karts, go-carts, shifter carts, gocarts, gokarts, enduro carts, and others. There is one thing that is for sure, getting behind the wheel of a superkart is exciting. Related to open-wheel Formula One and Indy Car racing, driving a go kart would be your best bet if you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to race a Formula 1 or Indy Car. Professional drivers like Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty all got their start on the go kart racing circuit.
So what exactly makes a gokart a gokart? Gokarts have a motor, transmission, chassis, seat and 4 tires. Since they don’t have a suspension, the chassis has to provide flexibility while retaining enough stiffness to let the kart grip around the track, especially through the turns. The chassis can be either be closed, also known as a caged chassis, which allows protection for the driver in the event of a rollover, or open, which provides no driver protection.
Engines used in gokarts are typically either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is usually more specialized and is made by companies like Honda or Briggs and Stratton. The 4-stroke engine is usually the standard type used in lawn mowers. The 2-stroke is typically more powerful than the 4-stroke and can be up to 30 horsepower or more.
As with Formula One racing, the kart tires can be either rain tires or slicks. Slicks have no tread and are used to achieve the best traction on a dry track. Rain tires are used during wet weather and have a tread. Icy conditions warrant specially-made spiked tires that give good grip on slippery surfaces.
Gokarts can be a stepping stone for drivers who want to work their way up to professional Formula One or Indy Car racing. It’s a less expensive way to get involved with racing. Of course, go karts are not just for those who aspire to become professional drivers. Mostly go karts are raced by people who want to have a little fun. Their popularity has reached all over the world. There are kart tracks for every skill level, from the extremely tame tracks located in family fun centers and amusement parks, to high end speed grand prix karting tracks found in larger cities.
The safest and most inexpensive way to get into racing is with a go kart. With the many stages of difficulty and experience, anyone can race at a level most comfortable for them. If you are a talented driver, then a little practice and some luck may get you to the level of racing higher than you might ever have dreamed.