| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | be raced inside because they don't create any unsafe |
| Open wheel racing is about as exciting as it gets. | | | | emissions. The only negative aspect to electric go |
| Watching expert Indy Car drivers race around a 2 1/2 | | | | carts is that they require charging after roughly 20 |
| mile oval at top speeds over 230 mile per hour can be | | | | minutes of driving, but as high-performance battery |
| a heart-pumping thrill. Open wheel racing has been | | | | technology improves the batteries are holding longer |
| around for decades and go cart racing is a | | | | charges. |
| modification of this open-wheel motor sport. The | | | | Reliable manufacturers of 4-stroke go kart engines |
| alteration is that karts are much smaller and run on | | | | are Honda, Briggs and Stratton, and Tecumseh among |
| shorter race tracks, but the excitement of operating a | | | | others. These manufacturers produce low-powered |
| go kart can be just as high. Moreover, lots of racers | | | | engines that will provide from 5 to 20 hp. These |
| use go carts as a stepping stone to more costly, | | | | motors are normally used by amateur racers or in |
| competitive, and speedier racing. Many of the top | | | | amusement fun centers. But don't let the small horse |
| professionals got their start here. | | | | power fool you; many of these motors can propel a |
| As with everything else there is a whopping difference | | | | go kart at top speeds up to about 50 mile per hour. |
| in the type of go karts that can be ridden. Top speed | | | | This may not seem fast to you, but after you begin |
| is ordinarily determined by the go kart engines, but it is | | | | racing through turns in a tiny go cart at these high |
| also influenced by the quality of the go kart frame, | | | | speeds you'll soon understand just how speedy this |
| mainly when racing through sharp corners. Super Karts | | | | really is. |
| are the quickest style and can hit top speeds of 160 | | | | Some 4-stroke engines have additional power and will |
| mile per hour or more. If that's too speedy for your | | | | provide up to 50 horse power. These engines can run |
| taste you can choose to race different sorts of go | | | | at up to 11,000 rpm (revolutions per minute) and are |
| karts that will be a good amount slower. Recreational | | | | regularly used in many National Championship class |
| go carts found at local family fun parks will generate | | | | races, but if you need to go much faster you'll have to |
| top speeds that may reach only 10 or 15 mph so | | | | get a 2-stroke motor. Many 2-stroke engines will |
| there's a considerable range for you to select from. | | | | produce as little as 10 horse power or less, but several |
| 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines are usually used in racing. | | | | can also provide 90 hp or more at 16,000 rpm. Speeds |
| Various types of the 4-stroke engine are used in | | | | around 160 mile per hour can be achieved with these |
| family fun centers, but electric engines are rising in | | | | high-powered 2-stroke engines. |
| popularity. Electric powered motors have many | | | | In bygone days engines were cooled by air, but with |
| benefits that make them great for small amusement | | | | today's faster speeds the majority of go kart engines |
| center race tracks. They are incredibly cheap to | | | | are water-cooled. Many of the less powerful 4-stroke |
| operate and maintain and require only a recharge once | | | | engines are still cooled with air, but the highest hp |
| their power gets low. No costly fuel is needed since | | | | engines are usually cooled by water. With the various |
| they get their power from long-term high performance | | | | differences in power, there is an engine available that |
| batteries. And with no gasoline motor to break down | | | | will be right for you, no matter what type of racing you |
| they are low-cost to maintain. Furthermore, they can | | | | wish to do. |