Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing. Many people associate it with young drivers but adults are also very active in karting. Kart Racing is one of the best sports to provide the right combination of competition and family atmosphere that sustains long term interest.

Kart racing is one of the fastest growing and economical forms of motor sports and also happens to be a very family oriented and extremely fun activity. At any of the kart races you will see moms and dads, brothers and sisters working together on the family drivers kart preparing for the next on-track session.

Kart racing is a form of motorsports, and one of the most inexpensive ways to go fast on four wheels and race around in a competitive environment. It uses open-wheeled vehicles that are powered by small engines, in vehicles that weigh only around 160lbs without the driver. Kart racing is usually done on scaled down circuits and is also considered the first step towards motor racing, as it is cost-effective and comparatively safer. Kart racing is usually used as a low-cost and relatively safe way to introduce drivers to motor racing.

Many people associate it with young drivers, but adults are also very active in Karting – it is considered the first step in any serious racing career. Kart racing is more familiar in the South and West. Around the country there are about 2,000 kart racing tracks, most all outdoor.

Speedway Karts usually have bodywork that is very different from the type of bodywork used on Sprint Karts. The bodies range from a wedge type (which makes the karts look like wedges of cheese racing around the track) to a very smooth, low profile that completely covers the tires.

Speedway races take place on clay or asphalt tracks that are one sixth to one quarter miles long. Asymetric tracks are usually used with four left turns and two straight lengths. Racers young and old are sure to love peeling around the corners in the 9-horsepower go karts, reaching exciting, yet manageable, speeds of up to 45 plus mph. Racers can choose between dirt and pavement racing at a facility close to home which reduces travel time and expense. Most oval karts use 4 cycle engines that maximize track time and reduce work.

In conclusion if you or one of your kids is really interested in racing. Kart Racing is the place to start. It is better to start at the younger ages, anywhere from six to nine years or age. Go through a couple years of purple plate racing. (novice division) Some places they will let you remain there for 2 or 3 years others make you move up to the Blue Plate within a year or so. You will take home a lot of cherished family memories in the younger years.

It appears that a desire to race is an integral part of human genetic make-up, although there is no scientific evidence to support this. However, foot races date back to ancient times and are still popular today. As societies became more sophisticated, different means of transportation were developed. And races always followed the inventions.

The ancient Romans held chariot races. Pioneer Americans had chuck wagon races. The Eskimos conducted dog sled races. All types of boats are raced. So it is no surprise, that once the automobile was invented, the sport of racing would follow. Early automobile races were held on open roads used by regular traffic. The cars raced from one city to another and onlookers lined up along side the roads to watch the competitions.

Roads were originally built for horses and horse drawn coaches. They were dirt and full of potholes. In rainy weather, they became muddy. These road conditions certainly presented a challenge to early race drivers. Tires constantly had to be changed as drivers attempted to navigate the washboard surfaces. In the dawn of automotive racing speed was not a factor. The goal was to get the car from point A to point B and arrive intact. The first automobile race winner had a speed of 17 kilometers per hour.

In the beginning France was dominant in the racing field and it was here that the Grand Prix developed. France was also the locale of the tragic 1903 road race in which many drivers and pedestrians were killed or seriously injured. This event abruptly ended open road racing as the French government stopped the race after the first lap and promptly prohibited further races over open roads.

From then on, racing was conducted on closed circuit roads set up for the race. Finally, planned racing tracks were constructed. The first racing track, designed for top speeds of 130 miles per hour, was constructed at Brooklands, which is close to London. Today, the most famous track race is the Indianapolis 500 in the United States. The French Grand Prix continues to be the world’s most famous road race.

The early racing cars were equipped with large engines and were heavy. The car with the largest engine had the best chance of winning the race. Racing officials recognized that this was an unfair advantage. As a result, they decided to group racing cars into categories according the engine size. Each category or class is called a formula.

Modern racing has also become highly specialized. We have various categories such as drag racing, speed racing, off-road racing and even Kart racing. Historical racing is also popular although this is usually limited to wealthy car owners.