Both adults and children enjoy go kart racing or kart racing as most people prefer to call it. Children from eight years old can enjoy this sport which is regulated by the the Motor Sports association in Europe where organizations such as the National Schools Karting Association organize meetings. in the US kart racing is regulated by a variety of organisations such the World Karting Association, Karter's of America and the International Racing association.
The Australian Karting Association organizes karting events in Australia.
Karters are divided into classes which usually start at 8 years old and are in 3 year age divisions until a senior class at about 16 years old.
Karts used in racing are called superkarts and can reach more than 160mph. A superkart can accelerate from standing to 60mph in about 3 secs.
The World Karting Association organizes kart racing at more than 120 tracks throughout the nation. The largest body regulating karting in the US, it was established in 1971 and is also one of the largest bodies for sanctioning kart racing in the world.
Kart racing has grown in popularity since the very beginning in the 1950's when karters used parking lots for their racing circuits. It grew rapidly into a much more organized sport as purpose built circuits were built until today when over 100,000 people in the US enjoy this recreational activity. The Association of British Kart Clubs In Britain, regulated by the MTA consists of over thirty associations which each hold meetings regularly.
Some Different Types of Kart Racing
Sprint kart racing uses specially built circuits of between 400 and 1600 metres. A typical race lasts about 14 minutes with the emphasis on overtaking and speed. Sprint races are usually short races with only a few laps that qualify for a final. Championships held by the FIA and the Karting World Championship are sprint races.
Endurance races are for long periods, sometimes up to 24 hours with drivers taking turns. Emphasis is on pit strategy and reliability rather than speed. One of the most famous endurance races takes place on th kart circuit in France at Le Mans owned by Alain Prost, the Formula 1 racing driver. In this 24 hour race past winners have been Toro Rosso, a Formula 1 driver and Sébastien Bourdais, a Car Champ winner. Endurance races usually take place on one mile to four mile circuits.
In the US endurance racing is called Enduro and takes place on circuits from between 1 1/2 miles to 4 miles long. races are typically 30 to 45 minutes without any pit stops.
Speedway races take place on clay or asphalt tracks that are one sixth to one quarter miles long. Asymetric tracks are usually used with four left turns and two straight lengths. Because of the left turns karts with off set chassis have been specially developed for these types of tracks. Races consist of four to twenty laps.
Formats Used for kart Racing
The International Kart Federation uses heat races which consist of heats of two laps, the winners entering the final which is usually twenty laps.
The World Karting Association uses timed laps where karters compete in groups for the fastest lap time. A twenty lap final is then the featured event.
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