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Karting Classics

What is karting?

Karting, also known as kart-racing, is a sport consisting of a race on a circuit between karts, which are

four-wheeled vehicles that resemble Formula 1 vehicles, only smaller. The speed of a kart often exceeds

260 kilometers per hour, but they also vary a lot.

Types of karts

Karts used for general amusement are available and known as go-kartswhich can reach a speed of

maximum 25 kilometers per hour for reasons of safety. This sport is very popular throughout people of

all ages, mostly men, as it is the closest experience to a Formula 1 race.

Karts used for performance, such as the popular KF1 kart, usually have 6 gears and an engine of 125 cc.

They can reach the speed of 60 kilometers per hour in only 3 seconds and can reach the highest speed of

140 kilometers per hour. The total average weight of a kart is 150 kilograms, drivers weight included.

Equipment and safety measures

A kart driver must wear proper equipment for a safe ride. The equipment consists of a full-face helmet,

a driving suit, gloves and special boots that cover up ankles. There is also supplementary equipment

consisting of a neck collar and a rib protector. However, these two items are not mandatory and it

depends on each countrys tradition of training whether the drivers use them or not

Types of racing

There are 3 main types of races which differentiate in duration, length, type of circuit and purpose.

So, there is sprintwhich stand as a solution for tie-ups. Its length ranges from 400 meters to 1600

meters. This type of race doesnt last more than 15 minutes.

The endurance race may last up to even 24 hours and it is all about strategy, consistency and endurance.

The speedway race has a specific circuit, the oval track. This track consists of four left-turns and two

straight lines. However, the tracks are most likely not to be symmetrical, their shape mostly resembling

the one of an egg or a tri-oval.

History of karting

Karting is known to have been invented by Art Ingels, though the first kart ever built was in 1956, in

Southern California, by a hot-rodder named Kurtis Kraft. The news about these small fast vehicles spread

quickly and in only two years there was the first manufacturer company named Go Kart Manufacturing

Co. The demand for the sport increased and the business seemed to grow even faster. Hence, only one

year later, in 1959, McCulloch opened up the first business of producing kart engines.

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General aspects of karting

Kart-racing is known to be the first step taken into building a motorsport career. Many parents choose

this sport for their children because it develops their attention and focus. If your kid is at least 5 years

old they can join karting clubs. These clubs have age groups such as 5-7, 7-11, 12-15. They gradually

learn to maneuver karts, from smallest and slowest to biggest and fastest. When they enter the lastgroup, the kids are getting used to the full-size kart. The same happens with violins, so remember you

always have a choice.

Even if it may sound dangerous, teaching kids the secrets of this sport from an early age ensures the

development of invaluable skills. Driving a kart is way different from driving a car, thats why most

injuries are experienced by untrained adults not by kids. Adults and drivers even more, correlate the

movement of driving a car to the one required to drive a kart.

A kart is much more sensible than a car in terms of steering so just because of a too sudden turn to the

left or to the right may cause serious accidents. On the other hand, young kids learning how to drive a

kart, have an unexperienced mind in terms of driving. With the highest ability of learning and a low

sense of fear, kids will perform their actions in a controlled manner and, being supervised, they are not

exposed to the same degree of risk. A professional practitioner is required to put safety first when

developing their skill. They improve race time gradually, and always need to feel comfortable with

driving. Stress, fear, or anxiety, are factors that often lead to accidents. An experienced driver should

always be relaxed and focused. All drivers learn to develop quick reflexes and also to make decisions

very fast.

Some of the most famous F1 drivers that started out by karting are Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael

Schumacher, Jensen Button, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and many others. Also, several NASCAR

pilots have also started by taking up karting: Darrell Waltrip, Danica Patrick, Ricky Rudd, Lake Speed orJuan Pablo Montoya, who also competed for F1 races.