| If your memory of go karts is something similar to the | | | | race for trophy positions. Each race typically does not |
| bumper cars you rode as a child, then think again. Think | | | | exceed 15 minutes. The key to success in sprint racing |
| fast and think precision handling on any go kart track | | | | is successful passing skills. |
| and you are getting the right idea. Racing go karts is | | | | Enduro or endurance racing is a longer version of the |
| not only a cheaper and less risky alternative to | | | | sprint-type of racing. These races can last for an |
| Nascar-type racing, it is a great way to learn and | | | | extended period, from 30 minutes to an hour and |
| improve driving skills before advancing to the auto | | | | sometimes up to 24 hours or more. For this reason, |
| racing circuit. | | | | the karts used in endurance racing are built to be tough |
| To get started, just visit a local go kart track in your | | | | and durable. Speed, though important, is not as |
| town. You can then rent a kart for a few hours or for | | | | important as it is in sprint races. It is more like a |
| a set number of laps and get on with testing your | | | | marathon where the driver makes regular pit stops for |
| driving skills. Driving a go kart is not any different than | | | | fuel, maintenance and a change of tires. Enduro karts |
| driving a car, except that the gokart has very good | | | | run on the same sized road courses as full sized cars. |
| acceleration and cornering ability. Of course, proper | | | | Generally speaking, reliability, consistency and pit |
| safety measures must be taken before and during | | | | strategy are of the greatest importance in endurance |
| participation in a kart race. | | | | racing. |
| Let's talk about a couple types of racing karts; namely | | | | A go kart race is a good way to get your foot in the |
| the Sprint and Enduro. Sprint karting uses a shorter | | | | "motor sport field" door. It is both very affordable and |
| track and the technology used is less sophisticated. | | | | less risky. Go karts are fairly easy to handle in spite of |
| Gokarts are downgraded slightly for this type of racing. | | | | the speed. They have a low center of gravity, making |
| The circuit is usually 3/4th mile and the racing format is | | | | them less dangerous than Nascar-type racing. It is a |
| a series of short laps in duration races, normally for | | | | great starting point to sharpen and improve your |
| just a few laps that qualify for a final, with a number of | | | | driving skills on the go kart track before going to the |
| point scoring calculations to determine the overall | | | | next level in auto racing. |
| winner. It is usually three qualifying heats and a final | | | | |