Go Kart, Parts, and Frames
Go karts are a truly international option when it comes to open-wheel motor sport racing. They were first invented in the United States by a man named Art Ingels in 1956. He was a veteran when it came to hot rods and was a famous builder of Indy race cars during the fifties as well.
It was as he was working as a race car builder at Kurtis Kraft that he began experimenting with using different materials as kart parts. His first design for go-kart frames made use of scrap metal. To power it, he used a surplus two-stroke cycle engine from the West Bend Company.
The first manufacturer of racing carts or kart parts was also located in America. It was the Go Kart Manufacturing Co. who began such production in 1958. A year later, a company known as McCulloch Motors Corporation began producing engines to go with the kart chassis. Their first engine was known as the McCulloch MC-10. It was basically and adapted 2-stroke chainsaw engine.
During the 1960s, it was primarily motorcycle engines that were adapted for go-karts.
Despite the fact that they originated in the United States, karting has become of greater interest on the international level. When companies began developing engines particularly for the sport, a significant amount of dedicated manufacturers arose in Italy.
Today, go-kart tracks or circuits may be found in many different countries of the world. In addition to those in the United States and the United Kingdom, many have been created in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Brazil, Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Latvia, South Africa, and Malaysia.
The primary sanctioning body of the sport is the Commission Internationale de Karting, known as the CIK or CIK-FIA. It was founded in 1962 and has its headquarters in Paris, France. It joined with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in the year 2000.
In general, karting is accepting as one of the most economic forms of motorsport available. Almost anybody can engage in it as a free-time activity. When it comes to licensed racing, anyone from the age of eight onward is permitted.
Within the United States of America there is not as much involvement with the FIA. Many other organizations regulate racing there instead. A few examples include the International kart Federation (IKF), Karters of America Racing Triad (KART), and the World Karting Association (WKA). A more recent one is the Starts of Karting which is presented by the Indy Racing League.
Within the United Kingdom, the Motor Sports Association (MSA) regulates it. Other associations may organize race meetings under its authority. In Australia, karting is administered by the Australian Karting Association. They do so on the behalf of FIA and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS.)
The goal of our site is to provide a wide range of information related to go-karts. Please browse the rest of the site to read specific facts, news, advice, and tips related to karts, karting, and kart parts.
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