| Go Karting is a hobby that many of us try when we | | | | The chassis in a go kart is made of steel tubing and |
| are young, as it is extremely fun and exhilarating for | | | | has to be quite flexible because there is no |
| those under the legal driving age of regular cars. Kart | | | | suspension in karts because of the lack of space and |
| racing is generally the stepping stone for racing other | | | | weight reduction needs. |
| types of cars when a certain level of experience and | | | | Engine |
| age has been acquired. The next step after the go | | | | 2 Strokes - These engines were originally extracted |
| kart is things like the V8's, rally cars and just general | | | | from motorcycles, but because of the increasing |
| race built cars, then the peak is to move into formula | | | | popularity of go karts, specialized manufacturers of |
| 1. | | | | kart only engines have emerged, creating even more |
| Go karts were originally designed in 1956 in California | | | | specific engines to power the karts. |
| by a veteran hot rodder Kurtis Kraft, and their | | | | 4 Strokes - These engines are usually the same as |
| popularity quickly spread to other countries around | | | | those used in lawn mowers, with air cooling. They |
| the world and currently has a very large following in | | | | generally provide between 5 and 20 horse power, |
| Europe. | | | | however there are some specialized 4 stroke engines |
| The engine in go karts is what separates them from | | | | for karting that create between 15 and 40 horse |
| their younger cousin, the soapbox car which is what | | | | power and around 11,000rmp. |
| the younger kids generally have a lot of fun with. | | | | Tires |
| There are many different sizes and types of engines | | | | The tires on go karts are commonly made of the |
| which can push the go kart to quite incredible speeds | | | | same materials as the tires on normal race cars, and |
| for its small size. A 100cc formula A kart with a 2 | | | | go karts use different tires for different track |
| stroke engine and overall weight of 150kg's including | | | | conditions, however they are a lot smaller because of |
| the driver can reach a dizzying speed of 85mph | | | | the low profile of the kart, and are still quite wide to |
| (140km/h) and can accelerate from 0-60mph in under | | | | enhance grip and control on the track at high speeds. |
| 4.5 seconds. A 125cc kart can do 0-60 in just a | | | | So as you can see, go karts are a very enjoyable |
| fraction over 3 seconds and reaches top speeds of | | | | hobby, but can also be taken as far as the enthusiast |
| 115mph (185km/h)! | | | | wishes, with racing and modifications. It seems very |
| Components | | | | simple to the unaware spectator, but is actually quite |
| Chassis | | | | complex when research is taken to a deeper level. |