Know the Parts of a Go Kart Before You Race
Zooming around the track in a go-kart provides the sort of adrenaline rush you can enjoy for hours. It challenges your mental and physical skills, and it’s also a lot of fun. Before you get in that kart, you should have a basic understanding of how go-karts work and how each part operates.
Go Kart Parts and How They Work
Go-karts are made of the following six main parts:
- Seat: The seat supports riders with a high back and contours that keep the rider secure and upright, even as they take sharp turns at high speeds. A racing kart has a more aerodynamic, light design and doesn’t include seat padding, but recreational karts are made with comfort in mind.
- Engine: A kart can have a gas or electric motor. Gas go-karts may be two or four strokes, the latter of which runs more quietly. Electric motors have grown in popularity and offer faster acceleration, but they need to recharge frequently.
- Chassis: The body kit makes up the chassis. The chassis keeps the kart from sustaining damage to the foundation and includes bumpers.
- Steering wheel: Most wheels are aluminum and measure between 10 and 12 inches. They connect to the steering shaft, which is on the front axle. Wheels may have a molded finger grip for greater comfort, designed to reduce the vibrations for a better grip.
- Frame: The frame outlines the go-kart and guards it against damage if it crashes. Frames keep karts from getting into a wheel collision, which can flip the kart or send it off the track. Metal frames also contribute to the kart’s weight, stabilizing it as it races around the track.
- Tires: The kart’s weight is distributed more heavily toward the back, so the back tires tend to be wider. Tires also help keep the center of gravity low, so the kart can take turns better. Different tires include slicks for dry tracks, wets for wet tracks and special tires for off-road karts.
Learn More About Tampa Bay Grand Prix Today
Now that you understand the parts of a go-kart, it’s time to take one for a spin. Come to Tampa Bay Grand Prix and enjoy a safe and fun racing experience with state-of-the-art go-karts. Get in touch with us today to learn more.