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