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Finding a go kart racing supply store in your neighborhood isnt as easy as, say, finding a convenience store. And if you do find a store that sells the stuff you need, most likely its integrated with other motor sports under one roof. But going online yields you a far easier way to shop at dedicated kart supply stores. Everything you need for yourself or for your ride is available in just one website.

Online kart supplies

From steering system parts to engines to driver safety, dedicated kart stores can let you browse and buy everything you might possibly need for yourself or for your race machine. The better ones have comparison charts available so you can check out what others are buying in your item category. Most also list bestseller items in a category, so you can see for yourself what makes these other items so great.

Power train supplies

If you need to up the power in your engine, as well as giving it more durability and a more reliable performance when it goes on track, you can browse the engine supply sections of your favorite parts supply site. From pistons to connecting rods to u-bolts, you can find everything that will make your engine more of a beast on track and give additional ponies when you stomp on the gas.

Drive train and chassiss parts

Not only can you find parts for your engine, you can also find performance enhancements for your racer as well. Body parts and accessories that bolt on to the chassiss are also sold here. The supplier or manufacturer will also let you know if these items are CIK or IRA approved, so that you know if its legal to use in competition. This concerns body pieces, like nose cones and chain guards. These must be certified to be legal in competition.

As for chassiss bits, since there is no suspension, you can also replace such parts on your racer like stiffening bars to adjust traction levels and cornering attributes. Given the number of track conditions you could possibly face, your components should be adjusted accordingly. There are even condition-specific items like tires, which can be slick tires for dry conditions and rain tires for slippery, low traction conditions. It would be best to order up a spare set in advance so that your vehicle wont sit around on a lift while you wait for your parts to arrive when something breaks as they inevitably do.

Pricing, payment and delivery

Since online stores dont have a monopoly on their clients, they must also face competition, and this leads to price drops down to competitive levels. Check multiple sites for an item you have in mind to see if there are discounts in other stores. See if the part number is the same so you can be sure that youre comparing identical items.

Online stores will also accept most major credit cards or take PayPal as well, so no worries on payments. The better stores will also offer same day shipping except maybe for oversized items like seats and whole kart chassiss. However, for small items you can expect them to arrive real soon.

The parts you order will arrive right on your doorstep via a reliable courier, and from there you can install the parts you got from your go kart racing supply store and compete in your next race.

In karting, there are three kinds of racing formats. These are Sprint racing, Endurance racing and Speedway racing. For those who are still unfamiliar of this type of motor sport, this article should help you learn getting through the basics especially for those who are planning to get themselves really involved in this sport.

In the US and United Kingdom as well as the other parts of Europe, Speedway racing is the most popular type.

Sprint Racing

Unlike the other racing formats, this is the type that is available to everyone as this is the ones normally offered in most karting circuits particularly for those who only want to experience the sport merely as a pastime instead of a racing competition. Children ages 8 and up can already take on the sprint racing.

This type normally takes place on tracks similar to that of road circuits having both the left and right turns. The tracks may range from one-fourth mile to over one mile in length. However, there are still other tracks that are longer and offer a greater period of racing time.

A sprint race typically lasts for only fifteen minutes thus, requiring only a number of laps to be finished. However, some may be shorter but others do not tend to really go beyond the average time period and the racing is usually done during daytime. In this racing format, it is the speed as well as the successful overtaking of the racer that is of utmost importance to truly succeed.

Normally, there are only three qualifying rounds to determine who will move forward to the last round wherein the scoring calculations will be used as the basis for deciding who takes home the trophy positions in the said event.

Endurance Racing

For Americans, Endurance racing is commonly termed Enduro racing. From its name, the race tests the endurance of both the machine and the driver that is probably why most of the time, the competitors are exceptionally experienced drivers. These races last much longer than the sprint type. Racing period may range from about half an hour or may even reach twenty-four hours in the track. However, longer races require the use of more than one karter. The tracks can go as long as 4 miles and at least 1.5 miles taking place on asphalt road circuits

Generally, for this type of race, skills such as reliability and consistency coupled with pit strategy are given great importance than speed.

Speedway Racing

With only left turns in the course, this race takes place on oval road circuits composed of either asphalt or clay. Ranging from one-sixth to one-quarter mile long, it has two corners with four corners for the left turns and may be run day or night but since this format is an excellent challenging race, it is already a usual scenario that these dirt track races are done during the night. The races take four laps for trophy dashes or may even reach twenty laps for main events.

The two formats of Speedway racing are:

The IKF race which has two heats comprising of ten laps. The concluding positions serve as the basis for determining the starting positions of the twenty-lap race.

The WKA race use the qualifying times and whoever has the fastest recorded qualifying time takes on the first position in the order of the race for the main event.

Normally, one would think that the engine is the probably the most important part of the Go kart. However, it is really the chassis that has the most significant role in the mechanism of the equipment. The chassis or also known as the frame is the one responsible for holding up the components of the equipment all together.

The Ideal Go Kart Chassis

The perfect chassis would be one that is sufficiently light to allow for an excellent handling of the equipment, and yet a material that is durable enough to launch a kart forward without the smallest amount of deterioration. However, this kind of material is one that is truly rare in its kind.

To maneuver well on the circuit, the machine should have a well-built frame since these frames are responsible for how well the equipment turns into every corner. This is the most important characteristic that the frame should have, to be able to negotiate the turns well. Unlike weaker Go karts with low quality components, with a sturdy frame, you will not have to deal with inappropriate slides and drifts.

Earlier Go karts used stiff frames which consisted of shorter bars crossing over each other. These frames easily broke down due to the wrong tire traction or suspension. This means that the Go kart does not have the adequate weight stability which has a big impact on the handling of the machine. Right tire tractions help reduce the strain experienced by Go karts as an upshot of acceleration, turning and braking.

As a remedy, the modern Go karts are now using longer bars for the frames. These longer bars provide for more flexibility which allows the driver to maneuver better over different kinds of track surfaces, be it concrete, asphalt or dirt.

Choosing The Right Kind Of Chassis

Before finding a frame for your Go kart, first consider the kind of track surface with which you will be riding on since different frames behave in a different way depending on the demands of varied track surfaces.

Dirt tracks tend to place a large amount of challenge and stress on the Go karts front rail while the stiff back rail that zips through dirt may result to the engines losing of power when the Go kart cuts a turn. To provide for this, the ideal frames for dirt tracks are those with narrow front rails and with longer backs. As for asphalt or concrete surfaces, the complete opposite is the best option.

With regards to the design of the chassis, wide rear rails make the Go kart plant itself better on the track without the possibility of skidding or sliding. This movement is commonly known as side-bite. With more ability to do so, the Go kart wont easily flip over in the instance of crashing.

Maintaining The Chassis

Karting aficionados often face one major issue and that is the longevity of the chassis. Frames undergo distortion every now and then as a result of the grueling breaks and turns of the speedster coupled with the smacks on track walls. It is thus recommended that the frames be changed at least once a year.

Another technique to preserve ones chassis would be to run the Go kart in a reverse manner that is running the kart in the track backwards. It gives the effect of shaping the frame opposite of what it would be if it will be run in a normal course.

Choosing a chassis for your kart is largely dependent on how flexible it is and on the right traction of the tires. For a more demanding circuit, it is always best to opt for more flexibility and vice versa for the less demanding ones.

Go karting can be just a simple hobby or by getting so much involved in the sport, this can turn into a racing career. Whether it is for the mere recreation or a serious Go karting, it is important to know the right kind of clothes and the necessary safety gear that should be worn when riding the Go kart and zipping around the circuit.

It may be a bit of a challenge choosing the right kind of clothes. As for beginners, a good amount of research or perhaps a little help from the more experienced karters will do.

Just For Recreation

For those who loves Go karting and enjoys it only as a pastime as well as for those who are still new to this kind of sport, splurging for expensive karting gear is not really advisable. Since it will only be used a couple of times, the basic karting clothes are good enough to enjoy the sport.

What composes the basic outfit for Go karting? One essential racing gear is the protective helmet. As a head gear, it is important that the face is all covered up or perhaps as much of it as possible. One should also have protective overalls that can either be fireproof or waterproof and with it are the protective gloves which keep the hands from sores that may possibly arise from holding the steering wheel too tightly.

Usually, new karters tend to hold the steering wheel very tight that is why it is important never to forget putting them on. Lastly, one should have footwear that is sensible enough for the sport.

The karting packages offered by most karting circuits already include the protective helmet and protective overalls that is, except for the footwear. When choosing the perfect footwear, more experienced karters would typically recommend wearing the trainers. However, one should choose those trainers which do not have thick soles.

A pair of thick-soled trainers prevents the karter from feeling how much pressure is already put into the pedals thus resulting to unanticipated accelerations and sudden braking. Some Go karts tend to accelerate really fast with just a slight push so it is important to still feel the pedals properly to avoid the any danger. Thin-soled trainers also help develop ones driving skills. It helps the karter maneuver the Go kart in such a way that does not impair his/her driving skills.

For The Serious Go Karter

For occasional karters and beginners, the necessary protective gear is usually provided in the karting packages. However, for serious karters, it is a different case. If you decide to pursue on this sport, joining the karting club and karting on a usual basis, then you will have to invest not only a great deal of time and effort but also money. A competing Go karter should have for his/her own, a Go kart and of course, the protective gears with which he/she will compete in.

These safety clothes may be expensive depending on the brand and style that you want to go for. This time, it is important to invest in good quality protective garments to avoid any risk of major injuries while racing. Buying used racing suits and other protective gears is not really a good and safe choice since they are not as good as the new ones.

Getting into this kind of sport is truly a fun and exciting experience. However, for a more thrilling and safe ride, one should wear the right clothes to avoid unfavorable circumstances. One last tip, wear loose clothing; they will definitely make the ride comfortable!

Go karting can be done indoors or outdoors and one good advantage of indoor Go karting is that there is no worry about having to battle against unfavorable weather.

A lot of Go karts nowadays have features that work well when operated indoors such as those Go karts which are battery operated. Ventilation is not required for these types since they do not emit toxic fumes unlike the popular gas Go karts. But that does not mean that Go karting indoors is less fun and exciting than when done outdoors. They still share that same thrilling experience if not more. And as with the outdoor type, indoor Go karting still requires practice to perfect the sport.

For those who are into indoor Go karting or has plans to take karting sessions, these few mechanics might help you improve your driving skills in the track.

The Steering Of The Wheel

Holding the steering wheel the wrong way can mostly affect the usage of your Go kart. It is always best to position your hands in a quarter to three all throughout the round unless going around corners. It is also noteworthy to avoid holding the steering wheel too tightly. Hold it loosely so that the handling will not be affected and hand sores will be avoided.

When Braking

For most beginners, if not all, braking is not an unusual issue. When turning into corners, pressing down the brake firmly will help avoid unforeseen circumstances such as sudden braking. It is important to balance the pressure you put into pressing the brakes. Pressing it too firmly will cause the Go kart to spin while pressing it too lightly will cause it to run wide.

Use More Of The Lines

For faster and more lap times, one should exploit most of the track. Turning in from the outside of the corners and moving through the inside will make a good technique and will help prevent the slowing down of your lap times. And once you emerge from one corner, automatically head for the outside.

Overtaking

When an opponent attempts to overtake, keep your position in the inside line and do not slow down. This way, it would be more difficult for the driver behind to catch up with you.

Upon approaching a slower driver at your front, you have to close in down the straight in order for you to get alongside him or her. Once done, let the other driver brake first, so that in a little while you can brake and then use a greater speed to go past them.

Some drivers tend to take the defensive line. In this case, you will have to find a line where you will be able to accelerate faster down the subsequent straight.

Adjusting Your Driving Style

This is one of the trickiest aspects of Go-karting indoors. When you lean forward in your Go kart, you adjust your body weight resulting to your front tires having more grips. However, the rear tires get fewer grips and this will result to over steering. To avoid instances like this, you should lean backwards to sort out the weight of your body, which in turn rebalances your Go kart.

Similarly, if your Go kart is suffering from under steering, lean forwards to reacquire balance. There is a fine line between over steering and under steering, so you will need a lot of trying out to get a hold of that right balance.

These are just a few simple mechanics that one should know in order to have a good indoor Go karting experience. But of course, practice makes all of these maneuvers perfect so keep the lines occupied.

If the traditional Go karting done in cemented road circuits is already one adrenaline-pumping experience, just imagine the thrill there is with racing or karting off the road. Off road karting is one good alternative for those who wants to enjoy the challenge and adventure of karting but doesnt want to get competitive. Despite the risk related to the sport, with the fun and excitement that it gives to the driver, there is no doubt that one can easily get hooked up with it.

Tougher than track karting, Off Road karting is now a popular motor sport drawing so much attention from the fast-growing number of karting enthusiasts all around the globe. But just like racing Go karts down the road track, it also requires skills to really excel in this type of motor sport.

The Off Road Go Kart

Off Road karting is the kind which makes use of a four wheel go kart primarily designed for the off road use.

Off road go karts are not just like the traditional go karts that can be enjoyed in many fun centers worldwide. These off road go karts have special features that are primarily designed to cater the demands of off road conditions that is why it takes an adult to handle and operate this type of karting equipment since greater speed and performance may mean greater risks at hand.

An off road karting machine has larger tires compared to the conventional ones. This provides an added ground clearance as well as traction needed to pass through off road surface. It also has a full suspension accompanied by shock absorbers located in the front and back of the kart to smooth out the driving in rough roads. Typically, it holds a powerful engine, one that enables the vehicle to climb up elevated surfaces and reach higher speeds and with the reverse feature that come with most off road Go karts, it would not be difficult backing up.

Origins Of The Off Road Go Kart

The first ever off road Go kart manufactured was the Odyssey produced by Honda. Released on the year 1977, it has a 250 cc 2-stroke engine with a single seat and CVT automatic transmission with bigger sized tires and one roll cage.

With the increasing popularity of this off road Go kart, by 1985, Honda upgraded the Odyssey and came up with the FL350. The changes included the improvement of roll cages, am increased engine size of 350 cc with an electric starter and a full suspension system for the front and back of the Go kart.

By the later part of 1989, the same company released the FL400 which has a larger engine size of 400 cc and now, it had already 2 seats and the suspension was enhance to be able to handle extra load. But the cost of the machine increased alongside with the enhanced features of the product. This resulted to unfavorable sales figures which led to the discontinuance of the production of the said product a just about a year after its launching. However, there are still existing units today of these Honda models.

The main goal of the company to open up the field of off road karting and introduce the possibilities to a lot of karting enthusiasts has indeed been a success. The sport has evidently been growing popularity worldwide.

A shifter kart is a perfect example of the evolution that kart racing has undergone. Its a long way removed from being a glorified lawnmower modified for pavement use. Advances in technology have given these machines better components, high-tech transmissions, and enough horsepower to give it a ratio that equals the very best high-end performance cars available on the market today. But even shifter karts differ from their other kart cousins, mainly because of the presence of a manual transmission in their drivelines.

What Makes A Shifter Kart Different?

Since these machines have the advantage of a transmission present, the speeds that shifter karts can achieve is truly astonishing. Figure something to the tune of 100mph, and the upper limit even reaches 120 in some instances. Talk about going fast. Shifter karts have earned the name pocket rockets, and rightly so. It can embarrass a wannabe sports car when push comes to shove.

Six gears in a sequential manual transmission are similar to the most exotic cars, and add to the driving pleasure, since shifts are lightning quick and downshifts can be perfectly coordinated. G-loads in a shifter kart reach 2 g levels, and you can really feel it. By comparison, the best sport compact cars offer 1-g levels of performance, whether to the side, or during acceleration or braking.

Shifter Kart Racing For Practice And Competition

Racing a shifter kart in actual competition can be considered an intense sport for aspiring driver. The speed that they reach, and the response that they have to driver input, as well as the g-loads it puts on the driver are perfect training and maintenance exercises for drivers to keep in shape when not in their race cars. Reaction times can be refined using a shifter kart, and the fundamentals of racing are stressed in such a small machine that can go so fast. Along with that, the precision afforded by its minute size helps hone drivers in practice or competition so that they can place vehicles exactly where they want, and when they want it.

Real races for shifter karts are typically enduro-sprint events in excess of one mile in length. Not only are drivers expected not to crash, they also must drive the fastest that they can, brake as hard and as late as possible, and if that were not enough of a challenge, overtake other drivers for the checkered flag.

Talk about multitasking. The best part about this is that a driver not only masters steering techniques to place the vehicle where he wants, but also has to deal with a shifter to match the engine revs and vehicle speed to reduce lap times. Footwork is often trickier in a shifter kart because of this, and gives an added element to see whos got the right stuff.

The Adrenaline Rush Of Kart Racing

When it comes to racing, no other form of four-wheeled competition comes closer to the precision and relative speed of races of formula one than shifter kart racing. Thats probably why shifter karts are considered as formula racers but on a smaller scale. As such, the thrill of racing one would also rival formula racing.

Shifter kart racing is a great form of racing that is way cheaper than bigger, more expensive forms of motor sport, but it doesnt come up short on the fun factor as well.

Being into racing karts means that you will have to comply with safety standards as well. Not only will you not be allowed to race without the right safety equipment, youll also be endangering you own life and neglecting common sense not to buy safety equipment. The first stop is to buy kart racing gloves for yourself while you drive.

What do gloves do for the driver?

Essentially, gloves protect the hands of the driver in times of accidents. As such, these serve to cover the digits of the drivers hands from cuts and scratches and such, and are usually fire-retardant so that in case of fire, the gloves will provide protection for the hands. As well as these, driving gloves also serve the purpose of being comfortable for the driver to grip the steering wheel with, and with plenty of grip so that the hand controls dont slip from reach.

Comfort is important, because with karts being hustled around corners and the whole thing shaking to the imperfections of the road, it has to be very comfy so that the driver can concentrate on what he or she should be doing, mainly driving the kart. An excellent level of grip is also well-appreciated so that a driver can do his techniques with confidence.

Shopping around for gloves

So now knowing what driving gloves do in terms of safety, comfort, as well as control, youre probably wondering where to get gloves to drive with. Your local auto parts supply probably has gloves on stock, but not the kind suited for racing, which has the entire hand, including the fingers, covered completely. The back of the gloves should be covered as well. Going for a shopping trip to your local enthusiast store should yield you plenty of candidates for which gloves to buy.

Prices to pay

With gloves, as much as other safety equipment, there are numerous offerings intended for the weekend racer, going up to the ultimate gloves for the professionals. If youre new to buying equipment, go with the novice gloves, because they can provide the safety you need at a reasonable price. Offerings from the big names of motor sport equipment have offerings for everybody, budgeted for novices and professionals alike. But shop for a quality glove even if youre new to the sport, as even just a popped stitch can tear your gloves apart bit by bit.

One could expect to pay as low as $40 for a pair of decent gloves that perform well. Online retail stores for racers will display an assortment of their best sellers, and price is not the only basis for determining quality. Some of the middle-priced gloves actually are better than high-end offerings. As long as theyre made by a reputable manufacturer, and fill all your needs for a driving glove, you can rest easy on your choice.

These are also available in a choice of colors, so you can get a pair to match your racing suit as well. The important consideration in buying a driving glove for your kart is safety and you also need to look at the materials used because of this. Fireproof materials and leather for grip and control should be present because these have proven themselves time and again on the track.

Whether its for a low-budget or big-bucks all out effort, kart racing gloves give the driver an additional edge when the time comes to lay down the cards on the table.

Having the talent to win kart races is good. But there are times in races where any performance advantage you can gain over your opponents is crucial. Winning takes talent and dependable hardware, so that both man and machine can perform to their absolute best, the end result of which can be a podium prize. Now that youve got the talent thing down, its time to attack the mechanicals. Racing kart catalogs can provide you ideas to up your game when it comes to your hardware.

Parts Shopping From Home

Whether its some new tires, or titanium valves for your engine, parts catalogs offer different items for that winning advantage. Its because the parts manufacturers also know that good traction can mean the difference between winning and losing. And here they have products that can help your ride bring out its absolute best. A wide variety of parts and manufacturers is represented in catalogs, and you can just take your pick of what you like, and what fits your racing budget.

Comprehensive Guide

A good parts catalog will present in detail the specifics of the item it has on its pages. In performance applications, where parts from one maker must work in harmony with another from a different manufacturer, you have to be sure that your chosen part will not come into conflict with another component in your racer, so that breakdowns can be avoided. Its not like you can just stick a part in and then expect to see a performance gain; you have to match the right parts together so that everything runs smoothly.

Comparison Charts

You should also expect to find related items to your inquiry, and comparisons between equivalent parts from different manufacturers should also be available. Significant things like fit, rated load, expected increase in performance, as well as price could be very good comparison bases, so its wise to see other items before you make that purchase. Not shopping wisely could spell disaster for both your budget and your machines performance. An untimely breakdown in the middle of the race not only means that you have to replace the broken part, but it also could cost you a win, and youll also waste additional time installing parts twice.

Parts Availability

Look for parts catalogs that have comprehensive sales support for purchasers. Those that have helpdesks will be happy to field your calls regarding their parts as well, if its in stock, and the variants that are available for you. Different-capacity variants for enthusiast of performance use are available, and price will differ accordingly. Those looking for the toughest parts should just go ahead and check out performance versions, because a little price premium goes a long way in terms of endurance and performance.

Payment Options

Looking around racing kart catalogs for new parts is easy. But actually ordering from the supplier what you want is a little more involved. But this has now been made easier than ever because you can make payments through your credit card or send a money order to the supplier. Check their pages to see what credit cards they honor, and what other payment options are available.

The good thing about it is that you can just do everything by phone; you wont ever have to leave the comfort of your home. The parts you ordered will also arrive right on your doorstep via popular couriers, so no worries about the condition of your parts when they arrive. Once there, you can install them on your competition machine and win that next race.

For most Go kart enthusiasts, it is already a known fact that the transmission plays a very important role in the mechanism of the Go kart. Because of the transmission system, the driver gets to manage the speed of the kart.

What is the Transmission?

A transmission system, simple in its kind, consists of a number of gears and these are responsible for controlling the speed of the equipment.

Engines have this rev limit and going past this, expect that the engine will blow up. This limitation is commonly known the redline. This is where transmission comes in. it allows the changing of gears in order for the gear ratio connecting the engine and the drive wheels changes the moment you speed up or slow down. This mechanism allows the engine to stay below the redline while still keeping up with the optimal revs per minute or rpm. The transmission is vital to maintain the greatest possible rpm while making it sure that the engine does not overheat and eventually blow up.

Manual Transmission

Having a manual transmission is definitely more challenging than riding one that has an automatic transmission system but definitely more exciting and fulfilling to drive. The mechanism of manual transmission systems requires the driver to learn the necessary changing of the gears to be able to operate the karting machine.

Getting used with changing the gears usually takes time and a lot of practice and sometimes, it can be quite frustrating especially for starters, but once you get to learn to basics, it would not be difficult to carry on. It will be a lot easier by doing the activity often and sometimes it can end up to be ones second nature.

Another advantage of manual transmissions in karting cars is that the driver can select better which gears that he wants. There is also a driving technique called a heel-and-toe downshift, to better match the gear ratio for a given speed with the engine’s powerband, keeping it in the thick of the horsepower output, meaning, that the RPM of the engine is always where there is most power. This translates into better lap times as well, because the engine is outputting more, and able to propel the vehicle better.

One driving technique common to manual transmissions is the heel and toe downshifting. At an instance of hard braking for an approaching slow corner, the driver will downshift to a particular gear that is appropriate for the corner without overstressing transmission or upsetting the car.

This kind of technique is, however, complicated to execute. Once the driver will downshift to a gear while braking, with the use of the right foot for the brakes and the left foot to the clutch, the go kart will lurch once the clutch is released and this will strain the drivetrain which will lock up the wheels. So it would really come handy to have a third one with which to use the accelerator to match revs when the clutch gets released. But as they say, practice makes this maneuver perfect!

Advantages Of A Manual Tranny Over Automatic

The power is always flowing in a manual tranny, and during cornering there is no power lag when exiting corners, because by the time that the automatic is downshifting, the manual is already in a lower gear and putting the power down when it counts the most.