Kart racing or karting is a type of open-wheel motor sport. It uses small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down kart circuits. Karting is commonly seen as the stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of motorsports.

Karts vary widely in speed. Some known as Superkarts can reach speeds exceeding . Go-karts for the general public used for fun may be limited to speeds of .

History 

Art Ingels is generally accepted to be the father of karting. He was a long time hot rodder and a race car builder at Kurtis Kraft. He built the first kart in Southern California in 1956.

Components

Chassis 

The chassis are made of steel tube. There is no suspension. The chassis must flex enough to work as the suspension. 

Open karts have no roll cage. 
Caged karts have a roll cage surrounding the driver.
In Straight chassis the driver sits in the center. Straight chassis are used for sprint racing.
In Offset chassis the driver sits on the left side. Offset chassis are used for left-turn-only oval track racing.

Braking is achieved by a disc brake mounted on the rear axle. Front disc brakes are becoming popular. Some classes do not allow them.

Engines 
Amusement park go-karts can be powered by 4-stroke engines or electric motors. Racing karts use small 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines.

Transmission 
Karts do not have a differential. Both rear wheels turn at the same speed. Because of this, one rear tire must slide while cornering. 

Power is transmitted from the engine to the rear axle by way of a chain.

Tires 
Wheels and tires are much smaller than those used on a normal car. 

Like other motorsports, karts use different tires for the track conditions. Slicks are used for dry weather. Rain tires or "wets" are used for wet weather. Slicks with grooves cut into them are used for dirt tracks. Spiked tires are used for ice.

Racing 

Kart racing is generally accepted as the most economic form of motorsport available. As a fun pastime, it can be performed by almost anybody. As a motorsport, it is regulated by FIA (under the name of Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK).

In the USA, many organizations regulate racing, such as the International Kart Federation (IKF), World Karting Association (WKA), Karters of America Racing Triad (KART), and Stars of Karting presented by the Indy Racing League. In the UK, the  Motor Sports Association (MSA) regulate Karting. In Australia, kart racing is administered by the Australian Karting Association on the behalf of FIA and Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).

Karting as a learning tool 
Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing. Many people think it is for young drivers, but adults are also very active in karting. Karting is considered a first step in a racer's career. It can help develop quick reflexes, precision car control, and decision-making skills.

Recreational, concession and indoor karts 
Besides traditional kart racing, many commercial enterprises offer karts for rent, often called "recreational" or "concession" karts. The tracks can be indoor or outdoor. Karts are rented by sessions (10 to 15 minutes usually), they use sturdy chassis completed with bodywork for driver safety. 

Outdoor tracks can offer low speed karts strictly for amusement, or faster, more powerful karts similar to a racing kart. Typically, these outdoor tracks may also be used for traditional kart races.

Related pages

References

Other websites 

Governing Bodies:
 CIK-FIA web site
 MSA - Motor Sports Association  - Governing body for motor sports in Great Britain
 IKF - International Kart Federation - Governing body for the sport of kart racing in the US, mainly West Coast
 WKA - World Karting Association - Governing body for karting in the US, mainly East Coast
 AKRA - American Kart Racing Association  - Governing body for speedway oval karting in the US
 AKA - Australian Karting Association - Governing body for karting in Australia
 ASN Canada  - Governing body for kart racing in Canada
 NatSKA - National Association of Schools and Youth Group Karting - UK
 VKA - Vintage Karting Association - Association for support of karts from karting’s 1956 inception to 1975

Auto racing