How Go-kart Racing Works

So we know that racing karts are much different than the recreational go-karts found at hardware stores. But even among racing karts there are specific types of karts that are used depending on the type of track they're racing on or the type of race. You can find three distinct types of karts in competition: sprint, enduro and oval. Sprint is by far the most common type of kart and is used in the majority of races.

When karting first began, modified lawnmower engines were used to power the karts. Now there are manufacturers who design and sell engines specifically for kart racing. The karts use 2- or 4-cycle engines that produce around 5 to 30 horsepower, moving the karts at speeds between 45 and 80 miles per hour (72.4 and 128.7 kilometers per hour). Racing karts don't have a suspension, are usually about 72 inches (1.8 meters) in length, 50 inches (1.3 meters) wide and weigh about 150 pounds (68 kilograms) without the driver.

Sprint karts are the most frequently used type of karts because of their ability to go fast and to be used on a variety of track types. Sprint karts cost about $2,000 to $5,000. Oval karts are the second most popular type of competitive karts. They're typically raced more in the southern areas of the United States where competitors are familiar with oval tracks, like the ones used in NASCAR. Oval-kart chassis are built specifically for tight turns in only one direction. Enduro karts are the smallest division in kart racing, but they're also the fastest. During a race average speeds for enduro karts are well over 90 miles per hour (144.8 kilometers per hour). Enduro kart racers lay down flat in their karts to achieve maximum aerodynamics and some karts utilize two engines instead of one for increased speed.

There's much more to kart racing than just the speed, however. Karts need to be able to handle well on the different types of tracks they race on. Go on to the next page to find out more about the tracks.

Just as there are three different categories of karts, there are several different types of tracks for kart racing and different rules for each type of race. The most common type of race involves sprint karts on a paved track. The tracks are typically 1/4-mile to 1/2-mile 04- to 0.8-kilometer) in length, with both left and right turns, in which the drivers compete in heat races for 10 to 15 laps.

The oval tracks are typically 1/10 of a mile (0.2 of a kilometer) to 1/4 of a mile (0.4 of a kilometer) and can be made of soft dirt, packed clay, sand or asphalt. The most common type of oval track is a soft dirt style. Oval karts have chassis that are specifically designed to run on these tracks, but sprint karts can also compete on oval tracks.

The last type of track is for the enduro races, which are held on race tracks like the Daytona International Speedway. These races go on for 30 minutes or up to a full hour and the karts are built so that the driver is laying down in the kart for the entire race.

Although track locations vary, there are kart tracks located throughout the entire United States. Oval and sprint tracks can be found in any state and many states have numerous tracks. Drivers may switch between different types of racing, if they have the karts for it, in order to get the opportunity to compete in more races. Because of the variety of kart types, tracks, and variations in age classes, karting offers a wide range of competition.

For more information about kart racing and go-karting, follow the links on the next page.