Karts and karting are rapidly growing in popularity, not only in the United States and Canada, but also in Australia and Europe. With the possible exception of bowling, no sport has won more new fans in recent years. Karting interests not only boys and girls but also adults of all ages. A kart is made of a frame, four wheels, steering and braking devices, a seat, and a small power plant. In a certain sense kart driving can be compared to speedboat racing, because he rider has the feeling of moving very swiftly, although really the speed is not very high. This is because people in in both racing boats and karts travel very close to the surface, the lower the speed seems to be. When you sit in a kart that is speeding along at 30 miles an hour, with the wind striking you directly and the roar of the small motor in your ears, the feeling is similar to that of traveling more than 70 miles per hour in a standard automobile. Karts can make very sharp turns, which adds to the thrill of driving.
Karts are quite safe to drive. Because they are so close to the ground, it is almost impossible for them to be upset, and serious accidents are rare. A kart may cost as little as $60, although some cost more than $600. But whatever the cost of the vehicle, the upkeep is small. Because a kart is light, weighing under 100 pounds, it can be placed in the back of a station wagon, on the top of any hardtop, or even in the car trunk, and carried to the place where the fun begins. When not in use, it can stand on end in the garage.
Why is karting so popular around the world? Well, it is thrilling, interesting, safe and inexpensive way to satisfy the love of competitive speed that is inborn in most people. Karting is more a competitive sport than a spectator sport. The person who has the most fun is often the one who is driving. Karts can be obtained in various ways. They can be purchased from a manufacturer or dealer. The three largest mail-order houses now lists karts in their catalogs. A kit can be purchased and the car put together from the kit. Or you can build your own machines, if you have the ability and equipment to do so. However, certain parts, such as wheels and engines, are better if purchased.
As karting has grown in popularity, the karts themselves have become more elaborate. Some now on the market have fine upholstery and beautiful aluminium bodies. The basic idea of the kart is not a new one. Almost as soon as automobiles, appeared, young people started trying to make their own junior copy of the car. Often when a lad could get an old motorcycle engine, the thought of putting it to work as a power plant for a small car (or a motorbob, as it was called many years ago) came into his mind. Karts are manufactured in many of the United States and Canada. This shows the growing popularity of karts.
A few words of warning should be given. Before any reader starts to plan his kart, he should look over the general area in which he lives, to make certain that there is a place where he can drive it legally. He must also be sure that he can drive it safely. Driving karts on highways is not generally permitted, and karts are not yet licensed or generally insured. However, there is no doubt that karts will soon be licensed and insurance on them will be required. It may even be that an operator's will be given before a person is allowed to drive one.
One of the popular places to drive karts is the parking area of a large supermarket after closing hours or on Sundays, when the yard is empty. karting is most popular in the South and Southwest of the United States because the regions have more days of fine weather. The kart owner can enjoy his racer more often and so get a better return on his investment. There are many excellent courses, some with lights for night driving, baby-sitter service, restaurant and rest-room facilities. The International Kart Federation recognizes 13 classes of karting. The classes divide the drivers into categories, or groups, according to engine class, driver weight, driver age, or combinations of these. Frequent meets are held by classes and for drivers of different ages, so that almost everyone has a chance to win a trophy.
It is always possible that neighbors will protest the noise and have a track closed. But the kart of the future will very likely have mufflers and will be about as quiet as any motorcar today. Most kart courses are now located at some distance from residential neighborhoods. There is a fine course at Oroville, California. It is situated near the airport, so there are no complaints from neighbors because of noise. This course is privately, owned, and members of the local karting club pay a lower daily fee to use it than do nonmembers. Spectators pay a nominal amount, and the refreshment stands make money for the owners. This is about the way most kart courses operate.
Karts are quite safe to drive. Because they are so close to the ground, it is almost impossible for them to be upset, and serious accidents are rare. A kart may cost as little as $60, although some cost more than $600. But whatever the cost of the vehicle, the upkeep is small. Because a kart is light, weighing under 100 pounds, it can be placed in the back of a station wagon, on the top of any hardtop, or even in the car trunk, and carried to the place where the fun begins. When not in use, it can stand on end in the garage.Why is karting so popular around the world? Well, it is thrilling, interesting, safe and inexpensive way to satisfy the love of competitive speed that is inborn in most people. Karting is more a competitive sport than a spectator sport. The person who has the most fun is often the one who is driving. Karts can be obtained in various ways. They can be purchased from a manufacturer or dealer. The three largest mail-order houses now lists karts in their catalogs. A kit can be purchased and the car put together from the kit. Or you can build your own machines, if you have the ability and equipment to do so. However, certain parts, such as wheels and engines, are better if purchased.
As karting has grown in popularity, the karts themselves have become more elaborate. Some now on the market have fine upholstery and beautiful aluminium bodies. The basic idea of the kart is not a new one. Almost as soon as automobiles, appeared, young people started trying to make their own junior copy of the car. Often when a lad could get an old motorcycle engine, the thought of putting it to work as a power plant for a small car (or a motorbob, as it was called many years ago) came into his mind. Karts are manufactured in many of the United States and Canada. This shows the growing popularity of karts.
A few words of warning should be given. Before any reader starts to plan his kart, he should look over the general area in which he lives, to make certain that there is a place where he can drive it legally. He must also be sure that he can drive it safely. Driving karts on highways is not generally permitted, and karts are not yet licensed or generally insured. However, there is no doubt that karts will soon be licensed and insurance on them will be required. It may even be that an operator's will be given before a person is allowed to drive one.
One of the popular places to drive karts is the parking area of a large supermarket after closing hours or on Sundays, when the yard is empty. karting is most popular in the South and Southwest of the United States because the regions have more days of fine weather. The kart owner can enjoy his racer more often and so get a better return on his investment. There are many excellent courses, some with lights for night driving, baby-sitter service, restaurant and rest-room facilities. The International Kart Federation recognizes 13 classes of karting. The classes divide the drivers into categories, or groups, according to engine class, driver weight, driver age, or combinations of these. Frequent meets are held by classes and for drivers of different ages, so that almost everyone has a chance to win a trophy.
It is always possible that neighbors will protest the noise and have a track closed. But the kart of the future will very likely have mufflers and will be about as quiet as any motorcar today. Most kart courses are now located at some distance from residential neighborhoods. There is a fine course at Oroville, California. It is situated near the airport, so there are no complaints from neighbors because of noise. This course is privately, owned, and members of the local karting club pay a lower daily fee to use it than do nonmembers. Spectators pay a nominal amount, and the refreshment stands make money for the owners. This is about the way most kart courses operate.
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