Who Invented the Go-Kart?
The summer of 1956 is when it all began. Art Ingels, a fabricator at Kurtis Kraft, the foremost racing car company in the country, had an idea — one that would earn him recognition as the Founding Father of Karting.
Inspired by racing cars he’d worked on, Ingles used tools he found in his Echo Park garage to construct a steel tubing frame for a small car. He wanted to create something small and lightweight that could still support adult passengers. Once the cart was designed, Ingels’ friend, Lou Borelli, mounted a lawnmower engine on the cart, and thus they built the first go-kart prototype.
Now that they had this new manufacturing feat, it was time to find a place to race them.
Off to the Races
Ingels’ kart model made its debut at Pomona Raceway, where it was an instant hit! Soon everyone wanted in on the action. As more races started taking place in public parking lots and supermarkets, everyone in town could see what was happening.
Unfortunately, that also included the police. Law enforcement cracked down on the races, so the pioneering kart racers needed to find a new venue. It wasn’t long before they discovered that the cops around the Rose Bowl parking lot in Pasadena didn’t mind their racing, and soon they had a massive venue to complete their races.
Manufacturing for the Masses
Duffy Livingston, a local mechanic, was a particular admirer of Ingels’ karts. With Ingels’ blessing, Livingston began manufacturing his own model. So did Livingston’s business partner, Roy Desbrow. As demand for pre-manufactured karts grew, the two teamed up with Bill Rowles, one of their best customers, to create Go Kart Manufacturing Co.
The first mass-produced kart was the Go Kart 400 racer. In the late 1950s, one car sold for $129.50, which translates to over $1,000 in today’s money. It was massively successful and Ingels soon broke away from Kurtis Kraft to start the Ingels & Borelli Kart Company.
It wasn’t long before these manufacturers started popping up all over the country, resulting in the formation of the American Kart Manufacturer’s Association and, later, the Go Kart Club of America — now known as the International Karting Federation.
Book a Race Today and Get a Taste of History
The history of go-karts is rich and exciting, and Tampa Bay Grand Prix is honored to be a part of this continuing tradition. Come get a taste of the competition for yourself at the place to race in Florida. Our indoor tracks challenge novices and professionals alike. Contact us to learn more and book your race today!
