If your memory of go-karts is anything like the bumper cars you rode as a kid, think again. Think fast and think precision handling on any go kart track and you will get the right idea. Kart racing is not only a cheaper and less risky alternative to NASCAR-style racing, but it is also a great way to learn and improve your driving skills before moving onto the auto racing circuit.
To get started, simply visit a local go-kart track in your town. You can then rent a kart for a few hours or a set number of laps and continue to test your driving skills. Driving a go kart is no different than driving a car, except that the go kart has very good acceleration and cornering capabilities. Of course, proper safety measures must be taken before and during participation in a go-kart race.
Let’s talk about a couple types of racing karts; namely the Sprint and Enduro. Sprint karting uses a shorter track and the technology used is less sophisticated. Gokarts are downgraded slightly for this type of racing. The course is usually 3/4 mile and the race format is a series of short laps in length races, typically a few laps qualifying for a final, with a series of scoring calculations to determine the overall winner. Usually there are three qualifying heats and a final race for trophy positions. Each race normally does not exceed 15 minutes. The key to success in sprinting is successful passing skills.
Enduro or endurance racing is a longer version of sprint racing. These runs can last for an extended period, from 30 minutes to an hour, and sometimes as long as 24 hours or more. For this reason, the karts used in drag racing are built to be strong and durable. Speed, while important, is not as important as in sprinting. It’s more like a marathon with the driver making periodic pit stops for fuel, maintenance and tire changes. Enduro karts are run on tracks the same size as full-size cars. Generally speaking, reliability, consistency and pit strategy are of the utmost importance in drag racing.
A go-kart race is a great way to get your foot in the door of the “motorsport arena”. It is both very affordable and less risky. The karts are quite easy to drive despite the speed. They have a low center of gravity, which makes them less dangerous than NASCAR-type racing. It’s a great starting point to hone and improve your driving skills on the go kart track before taking it to the next level of car racing.
