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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