# Go-kart > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Go-kart > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Go-kart.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-kart > Source revision: 1350188571 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Small four-wheeled vehicle "Go Karts" redirects here. For the 2020 Australian sports drama film, see [Go Karts (film)](/source/Go_Karts_(film)). "Kart" redirects here. For other uses, see [Kart (disambiguation)](/source/Kart_(disambiguation)). Not to be confused with [all-terrain vehicle](/source/All-terrain_vehicle). This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (June 2025) A driver with a 2008 Kosmic TS28 on the grid at KartSport Mt Wellington, New Zealand [Soap Box Derby](/source/Soap_Box_Derby) at a community celebration in Minnesota Indoor kart rental Go-kart on a track in [Kanagawa](/source/Kanagawa_Prefecture), [Japan](/source/Japan) A two-seater rental A **go-kart**, also written as **go-cart** and often referred to as simply a **kart**, is a type of small four-wheeled vehicle, often an [open-wheel car](/source/Open-wheel_car) or a quadricycle. Go-karts come in many shapes and forms, from non-motorised models to high-performance [racing karts](/source/Kart_racing) and [electric-powered](/source/Electric_go-kart) models. [Art Ingels](/source/Art_Ingels) created the first motorised go-kart in Los Angeles in 1956.[1] ## Predecessors The exact origin of the term is unclear. One of the first appearances of the term is an 1885 painting by the Scottish artist [Hugh Cameron](/source/Hugh_Cameron_(artist))'s "The Go-Cart".[2] It is also unclear why the *C* was later changed to a *K*. In the film *The Ivory-Handled Gun* (1935), the crippled father of Buck Jones refers to his wheelchair as a "go cart". [Charles Dickens](/source/Charles_Dickens) also used *go-cart* in *[Master Humphrey's Clock and Other Stories](/source/Master_Humphrey's_Clock_and_Other_Stories)* when talking of his travel to Italy. In Genoa, he talks about "a man without legs, on a little go-cart".[3] [Robert Smith Surtees](/source/Robert_Smith_Surtees) used *go-cart* before 1835 in *Surrey Shooting: Mr. Jorrocks in Trouble*, originally published in the "New Sporting Magazine". "'We'll take a coach to the castle,' said Jorrocks, 'and then get a 'go-cart' or a cast somehow or other to Streatham, for we shall have walking enough when we get there." [4] [Gravity racers](/source/Gravity_racer) are a popular form of non-motorised go-kart. These are karts which are propelled by gravity and are often simplistic, homemade and used for either recreational or competitive use. These are often referred to as soapbox cars in [North America](/source/North_America), however other regional variations such as [billy carts](/source/Billy_cart) ([Australia](/source/Australia)) are common. Other forms of non-motorised go-karts (ie. [quadracycles](/source/Quadracycle)) may also be propelled by means such as [bicycle pedals](/source/Bicycle_pedals) (such as in the form of a [velomobile](/source/Velomobile)). ## Components ### Chassis The [chassis](/source/Chassis) are made of [chromoly](/source/41xx_steel) tubing.[5][6] There is no [suspension](/source/Suspension_(vehicle)), so chassis have to be flexible enough to work as a suspension and stiff enough not to break or give way on a turn. Kart chassis are classified in the United States as "Open", "Caged", "Straight" or "Offset". All [Commission Internationale de Karting](/source/Commission_Internationale_de_Karting)–, [Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_l'Automobile)–, or CIK-FIA-approved chassis are "Straight" and "Open". - Open karts have no roll cage. - Caged karts have a [roll cage](/source/Roll_cage) surrounding the driver; they are mostly used on dirt tracks. - In Straight chassis, the driver sits in the center. Straight chassis are used for [sprint racing](#Sprint). - In Offset chassis, the driver sits on the left side. Offset chassis are used for left-turn-only [speedway](/source/Oval_track) racing. The stiffness of the chassis enables different handling characteristics for different circumstances. Typically, for dry conditions, a stiffer chassis is preferable, while in wet or other poor traction conditions, a more flexible chassis may work better. Temperature of the track can also affect handling and may prompt additional chassis adjustments. The best chassis allow for stiffening bars at the rear, front and side to be added or removed according to race conditions.[7] Braking is achieved by a [disc brake](/source/Disc_brake) mounted on the rear axle. Front disc brakes are used in most shifter kart classes and are increasingly popular in other classes; however, certain classes do not allow them. Shifter karts have dual master cylinders, one for the front and one for the rear, and are adjustable to allow for front/rear bias changes. Professionally raced karts typically weigh 165 to 175 lb (75 to 79 kg), complete without driver. Avanti, Tony Kart, [Trulli](/source/Jarno_Trulli), [Birel](/source/Birel), [CRG](/source/CRG_(kart_manufacturer)), [Gillard](/source/Gillard_(kart_manufacturer)), [Intrepid](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrepid_Kart&action=edit&redlink=1), [Remo Racing](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monaco_Kart&action=edit&redlink=1), Kosmic, [Zanardi](/source/Alex_Zanardi) or [FA Kart](/source/Fernando_Alonso) and [EKS](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=EKS_Motorsport&action=edit&redlink=1) are a few well-known examples of the many European manufacturers of race-quality chassis. Emmick, Coyote, Bandit, Shadow, MGM, Titan, PRC and Margay are American companies producing kart chassis. ### Engines Shifter kart engine Racing karts mostly use small two-stroke or four-stroke engines; however, as of 2022, there has been small-scale adoption of [electric motors](/source/Electric_motor) in racing karts. - [Four-stroke engines](/source/Four-stroke_engine) can be standard air-cooled industrial based engines, sometimes with small modifications, developing from about 5 to 20 hp (4 to 15 kW). [Briggs & Stratton](/source/Briggs_%26_Stratton), Kohler, Robin, [Honda](/source/Honda), and Torini are manufacturers of such engines. They are used in both lower-level racing (particularly introductory junior categories) and fun kart applications. There are also more powerful four-stroke engines available from manufacturers like [Yamaha](/source/Yamaha_Motor_Company), TKM, [Swissauto](/source/Swissauto) or Aixro ([Wankel engine](/source/Wankel_engine)) offering from 15 hp up to 48 hp. They run to and around 11,000 rpm, and are manufactured specifically for karting. Those are used in some National Championship classes like the two-strokes. - [Two-stroke](/source/Two-stroke_engine) kart engines are developed and built by dedicated manufacturers. ROTAX, WTP, Comer, [IAME](/source/Italian_American_Motor_Engineering) (Parilla, Komet, Woltjer), TM, Vortex, Titan, REFO, Modena Engines, TKM, [Yamaha](/source/Yamaha_Motor_Company), KTM, Biland, or Aixro ([Wankel engine](/source/Wankel_engine)) are manufacturers of such engines. These can develop from about 8 hp for a single-cylinder 60 cc unit (MiniROK by Vortex) to over 90 hp for a twin 250 cc.[8] PRD makes the [PRD Fireball](/source/PRD_Fireball), a [two-stroke engine](/source/Two-stroke_engine) delivering 28.5 hp (21 kW) at 15,580 rpm. The most popular categories worldwide are those using the TaG 125 cc units. The recent 125 cc [KF1](/source/KF1) engines are electronically limited at 16,000 rpm.[9] Most are water-cooled today; however, previously air-cooled engines dominated the sport. - While [electric motors](/source/Electric_motor) have been used in low-performance amusement park karts—particularly in indoor applications where fumes are a concern - higher-performance competitive racing karts are now commercially available. [Electric go-karts](/source/Electric_go-kart) require only that the batteries of the karts be plugged into an array of chargers after each run. Since they are [pollution](/source/Pollution)-free and emit no smoke, the racetracks can be indoors in controlled environments. Electric karts powered by lead-acid batteries can run a 20–30 minutes before the performance is affected, while those powered by lithium batteries may last up to 2 hours on a single charge. Some karts have been fitted with [hydrogen fuel cells](/source/Hydrogen_fuel_cell).[10] High-performance electric go-karts for amusement parks and indoor tracks may have external electronic controls in the event of an accident or other hazards, in which the track attendant or the race referee can remotely slow down or stop all vehicles on the track via radio control. This external control can also be used to limit young riders to a slow operating speed, while a race consisting only of adults is permitted a higher speed. These controls can be applied to both electric and combustion-engine karts. Manufacturer Blue Shock Racing offers electric karts for junior and senior competitors[11] with performance comparable to combustion-powered karts, and has held race series for them.[12] Combustion kart engine maker [Rotax](/source/Rotax) offers an electric kart motor and has held racing events for karts fitted with it.[13] ### Transmission Purpose of transmission: There are three reasons for having a transmission in the automotive power train or drive train. The transmission can: - Provide torque needed to move the vehicle under a variety of road and load conditions. It does this by changing the gear ratio between the engine crankshaft and vehicle drive wheel. - Be shifted into reverse so the vehicle can move backward. - Be shifted into neutral for starting the engine and running it without turning the drive wheels.[14] Karts do not have a [differential](/source/Differential_(mechanical_device)).[6] The lack of a differential means that one rear tire must slide while cornering. This is achieved by designing the chassis so that the inside rear tire lifts up slightly when the kart turns the corner. This allows the tire to lose some of its grip and slide or lift off the ground completely. Power is transmitted from the engine to the rear axle by a chain. Both engine and axle [sprockets](/source/Sprocket) are removable. Their ratio must be adapted to the track configuration to obtain the most performance from the engine. In the early days, karts were direct-drive, requiring push starts. The inconvenience of that configuration led to the [centrifugal clutch](/source/Centrifugal_clutch) for the club-level classes. Dry centrifugal clutches are now used in many categories; [Rotax Max](/source/Rotax_Max) is one example. They have become the norm as the top international classes have switched to 125 cc clutch-equipped engines as of January 2007. ### Tires Wheels and [tires](/source/Tire) are much smaller than those used on a normal car. Wheels are made of [magnesium](/source/Magnesium) alloy, [aluminum](/source/Aluminum), or [composite materials](/source/Composite_material). Tires can support cornering forces in excess of 2 [g](/source/Gravity_of_Earth) (20 m/s²), depending on chassis, engine, and motor [setup](/source/Racing_setup). Some car tire manufacturers, such as MG [Bridgestone](/source/Bridgestone), [Dunlop](/source/Dunlop_Tyres), and [Maxxis](/source/Maxxis) make tires for karts. There are also specific kart tire manufacturers, which include MG, Vega, MOJO, LeCont, Cobra, Hoosier and Burris. Similarly to other motorsports, kart tires have different types for use appropriate to track conditions: - [Slicks](/source/Slick_tire), for dry track. Slick kart tires come in many different compounds, from very soft (maximum grip) to very hard (amusement and rental karts, less grip but long life span). In international level racing, because the drivers are free to choose their tires[15] and because of the short duration of each round (10 to 20 minutes maximum), these are some of the softest tires found in motorsport. - [Rain tires](/source/Rain_tire), or "wets", for wet weather. They are grooved, made of soft compound, and are narrower than slicks. Not all racing classes allow rain tires. - Special, such as spiked tires for icy conditions, or "cuts/grooved" for high grip dirt/clay speedways. Cuts are slicks modified with a [lathe](/source/Lathe) to optimize handling. Tire manufacturers such as Hoosier and Burris also make a slightly larger grooved tire only used in dirt track racing. ### Data acquisition As in other motor sports, several data acquisition systems have been developed for kart racing. These systems allow the driver to monitor from a display fixed on the steering wheel some parameters such as RPM, timing of laps (including sectors), number of laps, best lap, cooling system temperature, exhaust gas temperature and sometimes speed or even gear for shifter karts. Some of those systems are able to record (logging) laps data from the sensors, allowing replay of an entire running session or/and direct download to a personal computer equipped with a data analysis software. More sophisticated systems allow for more information such as lateral and longitudinal acceleration ([g-force](/source/G-force)), throttle position, steering wheel position and brake pressure. ## Uses In some countries, go-karts can be licensed for use on public roads often referred to as street tracks. Typically there are some restrictions; in the European Union, a go-kart modified for use on the road must be outfitted with headlights (high/low beam), tail lights, a horn, indicators, and an engine not exceeding 20 hp (15 kW). ### Racing Further information: [Kart racing](/source/Kart_racing) ## Recreational, concession, and indoor karts Besides traditional kart racing, many commercial enterprises offer karts for rent, often called "[recreational](/source/Recreational)" or "concession" karts. The tracks can be indoor or outdoor. Karts are rented by sessions (usually from 10 to 30 minutes) or on a day basis. They use sturdy chassis complete with dedicated bodywork, providing driver safety. Most of these enterprises use an "Arrive and Drive" format which provides customers with all the safety gear (helmets, gloves and driver outfits) necessary, and allow them to show up anytime to race, without the problem of having to own their own equipment and gear. Outdoor [tracks](/source/Kart_circuits) can offer low-speed karts strictly for amusement (dedicated chassis equipped with low powered four-stroke engines or electric motors), or faster, more powerful karts, similar to a racing kart, powered by four-stroke engines up to 15 hp (11 kW) and, more rarely, by 2-stroke engines, but designed to be more robust for rental use. Typically, outdoor tracks are also used for traditional kart races. Indoor kart tracks can be found in many large cities in different parts of the world. These tracks are often located in refurbished factories or warehouses, and are typically shorter than traditional outdoor tracks. Indoor karts are usually powered by a four-stroke gasoline engine producing anywhere from 5 to 13 hp (4 to 10 kW), or sometimes by an electric motor. Many tracks offer competitive races and leagues. At the top level, an Indoor Karting World Championship (IKWC) exists. There is a separate category of go karts in the powersports industry that includes off road go karts. These are similar to a miniature dune buggy. Off road go karts typically feature large tires, a full roll cage, heavy duty suspension, and features to protect the riders from wind and mud. There are no longer any American made offroad buggy brands due to legal issues, so all brands will come from China. ## See also - [Electric go-kart](/source/Electric_go-kart) - [Model car](/source/Model_car) - [All-terrain vehicle](/source/All-terrain_vehicle) - [Golf cart](/source/Golf_cart) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Go Kart History"](https://gokartwiki.com/). *gokartwiki.com/*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Hugh Cameron](https://artuk.org/discover/artists/cameron-hugh-18351918) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Dickens, Charles. *Master Humphrey's Clock and Pictures from Italy*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Surtees, Robert. *Jorrocks' Jaunts and Jollities*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Example of a CIK-FIA homologation form](http://www.haase.it/download/Haase26-CH-11.pdf) – Chassis, 2005 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-chassis_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-chassis_6-1) [Technical picture of a racing chassis](http://www.cometkartsales.com/store/chassis/cpa/images/margayparts/margay17top.jpg) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080411105033/http://www.cometkartsales.com/store/chassis/cpa/images/margayparts/margay17top.jpg) 11 April 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) – Margay chassis 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Free It Up - When Too Much Grip Is A Problem"](https://www.kartpartsdepot.com/product_p/007.htm). *www.KartPartsDepot.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Superkart_8-0)** ["Superkart at Magny-Cours – 2007"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090414212308/http://www.parcferme.com/content/view/2663/2/). Parcferme.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.parcferme.com/content/view/2663/2/) on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-08. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *"Article 21 ; Specific Regulations for KF1 ; Engine speed limited to maximum 16,000 rpm."* – [CIK-FIA 2010 Technical Regulations](http://www.cikfia.com/web/karting/webkarting.nsf/C54F7EAD9380CB63C125707500537686/$FILE/WEB_RT%202010_full_version.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100330233508/http://www.cikfia.com/web/karting/webkarting.nsf/C54F7EAD9380CB63C125707500537686/$FILE/WEB_RT%202010_full_version.pdf) 30 March 2010 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Forze hydrogen karts](http://forze-delft.nl/about/forze-3) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140514205951/http://forze-delft.nl/about/forze-3) 2014-05-14 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Electric Racing Karts"](https://blueshockrace.com/electric-racing-karts/). *Blue Shock Racing*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220617120714/https://blueshockrace.com/electric-racing-karts/) from the original on 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2022-06-17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Electric Kart Championships"](https://blueshockrace.com/championships/). *Blue Shock Racing*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220617121023/https://blueshockrace.com/championships/) from the original on 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2022-06-17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Rotax E20"](https://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Racing/E-Racing/Project-E20). *Rotax (corporate website)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220617121615/https://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Racing/E-Racing/Project-E20) from the original on 2022-06-17. Retrieved 2022-06-17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Design of Transmission System for Go-Kart Vehicle"](http://oaji.net/articles/2017/1992-1530703509.pdf) (PDF). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Latest decisions of the FIA World Motor Sport Council concerning Karting](http://www.cikfiachampionship.com/news.asp?id=77) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140926005547/http://www.cikfiachampionship.com/news.asp?id=77) 26 September 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - CIK-FIA, 15 March 2012 ## External links - Media related to [Karts](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Karts) at Wikimedia Commons v t e Kart racing Championships World FIA Karting World Championship FIA Karting Academy Trophy FIA Motorsport Games WSK Final Cup Rotax Max Challenge IAME Warrior Final Asian CIK-FIA Karting Asia-Pacific Championship European FIA Karting European Championship WSK Super Master Series WSK Euro Series Champions of the Future Bridgestone Cup National Australian Kart Championship Australian Superkart Championship Belgian National Championship BNL Karting Series Campeonato Brasileiro de Kart [pt] Canadian Karting Championship Finnish Karting Championship French Karting Championship Deutsche Kart Meisterschaft Italian ACI Karting Championship Dutch Championship Norwegian Karting Championship Portuguese Karting Championship Spanish Karting Championship Swedish Karting Championship Turkey Karting Championship British Kart Championships Super 1 National Kart Championships Kartmasters British Grand Prix British Superkart Championship Club100 British Universities Karting Championship FAT Karting League British Schools Karting Championship Armed Forces Karting Championship Formula Kart Stars SKUSA SuperNationals Others Florida Winter Tour Patras International Circuit for Kart South Garda Winter Cup Andrea Margutti Trophy Trofeo delle Industrie Purdue Grand Prix Electric Vehicle Grand Prix Former WSK World Series International IAME Games Summer Youth Olympics CIK-FIA Viking Trophy WSK Champions Cup WSK Open Series WSK Super Cup WSK Silver Cup Desafio Internacional das Estrelas Masters of Paris-Bercy CIK-FIA Monaco Kart Cup Race of Stars Categories F600 Senior OK OK-N KF1 Junior OK-J OKN-J Gearbox KZ KZ2 KZ2-M Other 60 Mini Superkart Governance CIK-FIA Lists List of kart racing championships List of international kart racing champions Related Capeta Crosskart Cyclekart Go-kart electric Kart circuit Kart racing game Garfield Kart LittleBigPlanet Karting Mario Kart Crash Team Racing SuperTuxKart Micro kart Off-road go-kart Pedal Car Racing Racing Dreams --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Go-kart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-kart) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-kart?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.