Related Videos

Open wheel racing is nearly as exciting as it gets. Watching professional Indy Car racers speed around a 2 1/2 mile oval track speeds above 230 mph can be an adrenaline-pumping delight. Karting is just a variation of Indy Car racing. And just because go karts use a smaller track at slower speeds does not mean they aren't as exciting. Moreover, do not start thinking that karting is for little kids because many professional racers began their careers here.

There are many completely different types of karts that have completely different amounts of engine muscle. Speed is principally determined by the size of the go kart engines, but it's additionally affected by the quality of the go kart frame, particularly when it involves cornering. If you persevere, you might ultimately work your way up to the Super Karts that hit speeds of 160 mph or more. Or you can opt to drive other types of go karts that will be slower. Recreational go karts located at neighboring family fun centers will offer speeds that may reach only 10 or 15 mph so there's a huge range for you to choose from.

2-stroke or 4-stroke engines are routinely used for racing. Completely different variants of the 4-stroke motor are extremely popular within the fun centers and family amusement parks, but electrical engines are gaining in acceptance. Electric motors have many benefits that make them good for short family fun center tracks. They are very inexpensive to maintain and operate, and only require a recharge when their juice gets low. There's no need to fill them up with expensive gas because they get their power from long-lasting batteries. And without a gas motor to break down they're cheap to maintain. And, since they do not generate harmful emissions they can be driven indoors. The only negative facet to electrical go karts is that they require recharging after roughly 20 minutes of racing, but as battery technology improves these times are rising.

Popular makers of 4-stroke go kart engines are Tecumseh, Honda, and Briggs and Stratton. Their low-powered engines will turn out from about 5 to 20 hp. These low-powered engines are generally used at amusement centers or by amateur racers. However, some of these engines can actually reach speeds nearly 50 mph, so do not let the phrase "low power" fool you. This may not seem fast in your mind, but once you start turning corners in a tiny kart at these speeds you will immediately recognize just how quick this really is.

Some 4-stroke engines have extra muscle and will turn out up to 50 hp. These engines can run at up to 11,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) and are many times utilized in varied National Championship category races, but if you want to race at the highest speeds you will need to dig up a 2-stroke engine. A number of 2-stroke engines will generate as little as 10 hp or fewer, but some can additionally generate 90 hp or more at 16,000 rpm. Speeds in excess of 160 mph can be achieved with these strong 2-stroke engines.

Engines have come a long way over the years. Most older karts were air-cooled, but as speeds improve most engines of today are water-cooled. A number of the less powerful 4-stroke engines are still air-cooled, but the highest hp engines are customarily cooled by water. No matter what type of racing you want to do, whether at slower speeds for faster speeds, there is an engine that will match your needs.