Ever heard of Michael Schumacher, the legendary car racer? His career started off racing go carts. Both children and adults alike can be involved in cart racing. In fact, the famous Schumacher started his racing leisure at the tender age of four. It only shows that this is for people of all ages, and from all walks of life.
If you are aggressive enough to try the thrill, the skill of driving can be easily learned. Go cart racing is the safest motorized racing unlike motorcycles or stock cars. It is also considered one of the most economic types of racing on the planet.
For those dreamers by heart who wanted to be a car racer, this is a perfect stepping stone to learn speeding and racing skills. Not to mention the steering, braking and accelerating tactics that you would be able to improve along the way.
History
From 1956 when the first go kart was built in California until now, new and modern models have been developed for enthusiasts to use and aspiring professionals to master. Nowadays, indoor and outdoor go kart tracks can be found in a lot of cities around the world. This is to cater the growing wants, if not needs, of the racing enthusiasts. For pleasure or for sports, this has become a famous experience recommended by many.
In fact, many commercial enterprises are making it a business as well. Having go-karts for rent in the form of recreational or concession has been all the rage. This is to avoid the hassle of owning one’s own gear and equipment.
Racing Rules & Regulations
There are not many rules governing go kart racing in most parts of the world. In some countries, you may have to be above the legal age (above 18 years in most countries) to register for professional kart racing. There are no other specific rules. What’s more is it is also governed by FIA guidelines. You may be surprised to know that the FIA has provisions for an 8 year old to take part in races where people of more than 45 to 60 years of age are taking part.
United States – In the USA, FIA does not have any significant part in the go carts races. The bigger races are governed by other racing authorities, such as the IKF(International Kart Federation), IRA, WKA(World Karting Association), and KART(Karters of America Racing Triad).
For indoor go cart racing there is the IKWC(Indoor Karting World Championship). Therefore, you can register even if you own a ready-made go kart with turbo engine or a hand-built cart with the engine of an age-old car. These things do not matter when it comes to go carting.
United Kingdom – In the UK the Motor Sports Association (MSA) regulates “owner driver” go karting. There are some karting associations such as the Natska (National Schools Karting Association) organize kart race meetings under the guidance of the MSA. There are some other authorities that act on behalf of the MSA to allow and arrange the go kart races in the UK
Australia - In Australia, the AKA is the administration that carries out go cart racing. AKA works directly under the FIA of the US.
Racing Formats
There are several racing go cart formats. These depend on the age groups registered with the races. Some are for kids and are homogenous tracks. Some are for teens that contain both homogenous tracks with some hurdles. However typical racing go carts formats are one of the following:
Sprint – Sprint kart racing takes place on dedicated go-cart circuits that are similar to small road courses (left and right turns). The go cart tracks range from a 1/4 mile (400 metres) to over 1 mile (1,600 metres). These races typically last no more than 15 minutes where speed and passing are of utmost importance. There is typically 3 heats then a trophy final. This is the format the Karting World Championships take place.
Speedway – Speedway racing takes places on 1/6 and 1/4 mile tracks and consist of oval clay and asphalt go cart tracks. The tracks are usually like that of a typical oval Nascar track which is two straight-aways and four turns. There are usually 20 laps for a championship race.
The go kart chassis involved for these is typically an offset chassis for better handling.
The WKA utilizes a time qualifying format and groups of up to 5 are sent out with transponder equipped gocarts to get the fastest time. The position is then determined by qualifying times.
TO VISIT THE WKA CLICK HERE
The IKF uses two heat races of 10 laps with a 20 lap final. The final race positioning is determined by the previous two races positions.
TO VISIT THE IKF CLICK HERE
The AKRA uses transponder qualifying as well
TO VISIT THE AKRA CLICK HERE
Endurance – Endurance kart racing can last from 30 minutes up to 24 hours where the focus is pit strategy and consistent driving not speed. Referred to as Enduro racing in the USA, the IKF and WKA sanction 30 min (spring enduro) and 45 min (laydown enduro) races with no pit stops allowed. Enduro go cart races are held on tracks that are between 1.5 and 4 miles long.
Since 1986 the 24 hr gokart racing event held in Le Mans, France much like the famous 24 hours of Le Mans race for automobiles.
Racing Categories
International – The top classes consist of KF1 (top level), KF2, KF3, KF4 (basic level) KZ1, KZ2 and Superkart as sanctioned by the CIK-FIA. They are raced in the national championships which go world wide. KZ1 and KZ2 models use 125cc gearbox. The other models use a two stroke 125cc, no gearbox/shifter kart. The Superkart uses 250cc motors.
National – Super one is the most recognized and praised go cart series with 3 types of championships.
MSA series: KF2, KF3, Formula KGP, Super Cadet and Cadet
Rotax series: Minimax, Junior Max, Senior Max, Senior Max 177
TKM series: Formula Junior TKM, Formula TKM Extreme, TKM Senior 4-stroke and since 2006, Honda Cadet
Natska is set up in the UK for budgeted classes such as schools and youth groups.
The United States racers mostly use Briggs and Stratton engines for oval racing with the Southeast and Midwest being the most dominant areas of the Country.
Safety Gear
features were designed to minimize the risk incorporated in every race. Although these are considered to be the safest entertainment rides in the world, still safety measures are advised. Of course, what is a race without its racing suit and helmet? Professionals or amateurs that race gokarts must be fully equipped with racing gear as part of protection.
The recommended safety attire for racing go carts consist of:
Full face helmet
Gloves
Driver suit (abrasion resistant)
Ankle covered Driving boots
NOTE: None of the material needs to be made of retardant material and rib protectors as well as neck collars are highly recommended but not required.
Finally
Things that matter are the spirit and satisfaction of racing with some of the professional racers that may be from the field of motor bikes or formula one. There are several instances where go cart racing has been held in the US for raising funds for a specific purpose through a very nominal registration fee. Moreover, the greatest advantage of a go cart race on a big scale is the thrill that you will experience and will not forget until the next season.
