Go Carts

Go Carts are four-wheeled vehicles equipped with small 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines. Go carts are commonly used as a recreation activity, and also used in kart racing leagues around the world.

Art Ingels built the first go cart in 1956 in California. He originally placed a motorcycle engine on a metal frame. Go carts have since evolved into several different styles.

Carts are designed based on which type of racing they will perform. Open carts are the most common, consisting of a steel frame, engine, transmission, tires and a single seat for the driver. Caged carts, commonly used in off road races, have a steel cage surrounding the driver, to protect from injury if the cart were to roll over. Carts with a straight chassis place the driver in the center of the cart and are commonly used in the road race style sprint races.

Cart racing is most popular in Europe of all countries. In the United Kingdom cart racing is regulated by the Motor Sports Association. Several leagues hold a variety of races, including sprints, endurance and off road races.

Although generally children use go carts, several European leagues are specifically for adults. Children begin training at the age of eight, working their way up though levels, until they reach the senior division at the age of 15 or 16.

Go carting is also used as a training tool for professional Indy Racing League drivers.

The popular 1992 video game Super Mario Kart took go carting to a virtual world. Fast Facts:

1. First one built in 1956 by Art Ingels in Los Angeles, California
2. Top speed: around 85 mph
3. Weight: 165 to 175 lbs
4. Have many followers in Europe, where they were first introduced in 1959