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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

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THE RACERS EDGE

LET’S GO RACING!

The manufacturer’s and retailers of the karting industry invite you to GO RACING… in Karting. Karting is the place where you really can participate in some of the most exciting racing you’ll ever experience.

There’s a place in Karting for you as a driver or mechanic. Karting offers mechanical interest, design, high performance, driving skill and the most competitive racing ever, anywhere.

Whatever your age, seeking to start a pro racing career, or just out for some family fun on a weekend afternoon, you’ll find that karting is a great place to be.

Below we offer brief descriptions of the three basic types of karting along with an idea of the costs. You are about to find out how really easy it is to… GO RACING!

SPRINT
This is where it really began — four wheels, a frame, a seat and an engine. Pretty basic, and yet such a good idea. After 45 years and millions of racing miles by hundreds of thousands, karting is growing stronger and stronger every year.

Sprint karting today is a sophisticated, yet affordable form of motorsport. The race courses are smaller-scale versions of sports car-type road courses. Mostly asphalt, closed-course karting facilities range from one quarter to just over a half-mile, with an occasional race being held on city streets.

Every challenge that a motorsport can offer can be found in Sprint Karting. Designed for the participants, karting’s many classes divide the competitors by age, experience and type of racing equipment.

A good beginning package (used frame, engine, tires, some basic spare parts, drivers suit and helmet) will run anywhere from $1000 to $2000. This will get you out on the track, grinning from ear to ear, and learning the ins and outs of the sport.

ROAD RACING
Road Racing, also known as Enduro Racing, is the long-course version of karting. If you’re always had the urge to experience the high banks of Daytona, or Laguna Seca’s “Corkscrew”, or Road America’s “Thunder Alley”, …then Road Racing might be for you.

In Road Racing, you’ll be using all the basic karting techniques but with a couple of extra considerations — like aerodynamics and endurance.

At first, racing a kart by lying almost flat on your back might seem a bit strange, but, after a few laps you’ll find that this wind-cheating, center of gravity-lowering posture, makes for better lap times and better personal endurance. You’ll nee the latter because Road Races last anywhere from 30-minutes to a full hour.

In Road Racing, as in Sprint or Speedway karting, there are classes for everyone from first-time novices (single, stock 100cc engines) to professional competition using dual-mounted or 125cc motorcycle-type engines. (We will discuss engines a bit later.)

The price of a good basic (used) Road Racing set-up can be as little as $2000 to have you on the track and experiencing the thrill of the big tracks you’ve seen on television.

SPEEDWAY
Speedway Karting is our name for oval track racing, whether it’s on dirt, clay or asphalt. Sideways racing action on specially built oval karts is what it’s all about here. Short ovals 1/10-mile to 1/5-mile in length, look simple, but offer quite a challenge.

Speedway Karting will certainly keep your attention; and it definitely keeps the attention of the fans in the stands, too. These machines sport all the wings and fairings that most full-size sprint cars have, and since Speedway Racing events are generally held on Friday or Saturday evenings, there are always large crowds of excited fans on-hand to enjoy and evening of hot racing action.

The equipment that you’ll need to go Speedway Karting will be either a good sprint chassis or a specifically built oval kart that incorporates an “off-set” design and a set of tires with various tread patterns to adjust the kart’s bite to changing track conditions.

As in other karting divisions, there are Speedway Karting classes for both 2 and 4-cycle engines. Divided by engine type, as well as the drivers age and experience, there’s a place for just about anyone who wants to race.

Probably the least expensive form of karting, Speedway karts cost about the same as a good Sprint kart. A good, used kart can be sitting in your garage for under $1500.

ENGINES
There are two distinctive types that are the basis for all kart racing — 2-Cycle and 4-Cycle.

The 2-Cycle engines vary in size and performance from 50cc to 125cc “Shifter” engines. All are single-cylinder engines that really respond to a driver’s input, especially the 125cc Shifters. Here is where you’ll find such names as Paul Tracy, Sam Hornish Jr., Richie Hearn and other competing side-by-side with other karters keeping their reflexes sharp for their next run at the Indianapolis 500 and other events!

The 4-Cycle engines start out as inexpensive “5-Horse” models and are raced in classes from “box-stock” to all-out modified. It’s really your choice as to where you want to start having fun. Wherever you start, you’ll find the competition close, the costs low, and the excitement high!

KARTING TODAY!
Dads, Moms, son and daughters can all participate and have a great time at the races working as a unit to compete, putting together their family teamwork to the test.

Karting can be a fulfilling after-school, after-work leisure time pursuit. Getting ready for the next weekend’s big race or the upcoming racing season is a great way to keep young minds active and young hands busy. Karting teaches discipline in a very understandable and direct way; if you don’t get the kart and yourself ready, you won’t be ready to enjoy a weekend at the track. Goals are easy to identify and work toward in this healthy outlet and more than a few parents have reported that Karting is their children’s best skill and confidence-builder.

But karting is far from being just for youngsters. It is one type of racing sport that many professional and business people have become involved in, not only because its very low cost in relation to other forms of 4-wheel motorsports, but because of its effective, efficient use of that commodity that is often much more precious than money… TIME.

From an occasional weekend outing “just for fun”, to a carefully planned, scheduled and budgeted year-long campaign for a national championship… You’ll find it all in KARTING!

Finding the local kart club and track in your area is easy. Just check through the local phone book. Today, nearly every major city in America has one. Tell them you want to GO RACING!

Find a track, and take a look around. Ask questions. See which class looks appealing to you. You will also find that many dealers as well as those racing will have used equipment for sale to help you get started.

You’ll find that the people in Karting are an interesting and friendly group of people who are genuinely having a great time and want to invite you to join them in KARTING!

Article Courtesy: Karting Industry Council

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