| Go carts are certainly thrilling, but they can also | | | | more experienced level or class, you may not |
| be dangerous if not taken seriously. You have to | | | | feel equipped to do that. However, by building up |
| remember that it's not just you out on the track. | | | | your confidence in the lower classes you will |
| There will be other drivers attempting to pass | | | | eventually be ready for more competition. Just |
| you around sharp corners whose talent may be | | | | don't try to move up faster than your driving |
| questionable at best. By following a few | | | | expertise allows. |
| common-sense safety rules you can eliminate | | | | Back in the olden days, when go carts were |
| most of the serious dangers. | | | | extremely slow, you could go racing safely |
| Different types of go carts can have speeds | | | | without a helmet. Those days are long gone. Even |
| ranging anywhere from very slow to very fast. | | | | in kiddie tracks helmets are a requirement now. |
| But regardless of the speed they are always | | | | The helmet is perhaps the most important piece |
| exciting to race. They are simple vehicles that are | | | | of equipment that a go cart driver will ever use. |
| also easy to handle. No matter what your skill | | | | There are other pieces of equipment that are |
| level there are tracks all over the country that will | | | | necessary too, but none more important than a |
| fill your needs and wants. There are many go | | | | high-quality helmet. In the event of a crash it can |
| cart classes or levels that will cater to every age | | | | spare you from a serious head injury. |
| range from kids to adults. Gocarts are generally | | | | To a great extent you can control the amount of |
| easy to drive and easy to control. This is why | | | | danger that you are faced with. Many decisions |
| they have become so popular, because it's an | | | | that you make before climbing into the cart will |
| easy and relatively cheap way to experience the | | | | determine how safe it will be for you out on the |
| thrill of Formula 1 racing without the expense or | | | | track. From the type of clothes you wear to the |
| the danger. | | | | type of go cart you buy will help determine your |
| There are many different types of vehicles that | | | | safety level on the track. By taking every safety |
| are built for racing fun. Among these are ATV off | | | | precaution that you possibly can you will lessen |
| road vehicles, motor scooters, dirt bikes, mopeds, | | | | your risk of sustaining a serious injury. So do your |
| mini bikes, motorcycles and gopeds. But if you are | | | | homework and be prepared. It's a lot more fun |
| wanting to experience the thrill and excitement of | | | | racing go carts when you can walk away after a |
| Indy Car or Formula 1 open-wheel racing, with a | | | | race instead of having to be driven away in an |
| powerful gas engine rocketing you down the | | | | ambulance. |
| track, and with relative safety, go carts are what | | | | The importance of clothing can't be overstated. |
| you will want to be climbing into. | | | | The slower you race the less important clothing |
| For beginners to experts, and everyone in | | | | becomes, but the faster your go cart goes the |
| between, go carts are fun. Whether you want to | | | | more you need to be sure you are clothed |
| drive as slow as your Grandma or as fast as | | | | properly. Depending on your speeds certain |
| Tony Stewart and Michael Schumacher, racing go | | | | clothing may help spare you from serious injury. |
| carts can get you there. Many top professional | | | | At faster speeds fire safety suits are a must. |
| NASCAR, Formula One and Indy Car drivers | | | | There is ignitable fuel in your vehicle and in the |
| today got their start in the lowly go cart. With a | | | | event of a crash it is possible for it to catch fire. |
| lot of practice maybe you can achieve the same | | | | Preventing burns is a very desirable thing. Other |
| success. | | | | indispensable gear includes fire-resistant racing |
| It wasn't too long ago that go carts were mostly | | | | shoes to protect your feet and gloves for your |
| found in family fun centers where any kid and his | | | | hands. |
| little brother could go racing at a whopping 15 or | | | | All go carts today have roll bars that extend |
| mph. They still exist, but real go cart tracks have | | | | higher than the driver's head. The chassis of the |
| been springing up all over. It's now possible to go | | | | go cart will either be open or caged. A caged go |
| 60 miles an hour in a go cart. And if that's not | | | | cart has a cage that covers the driver. It |
| fast enough for you try an enduro cart and reach | | | | protects the driver in the event of a rollover. It |
| top speeds of 90 mph. Or race in a shifter cart at | | | | serves the same purpose as a roll bar. Most |
| an astounding 160 mph. Don't start sweating yet, | | | | tracks demand a cage for safety. Go carts also |
| you don't have to go that fast to have fun. You | | | | have side bars that can protect you from serious |
| can drive in any level or class that you feel | | | | injury should another driver ram you from the |
| comfortable with. | | | | side. You have to remember, you could be the |
| But this brings up some questions: With go carts | | | | greatest driver in the world, but you're not out |
| speeding down the track so fast these days, are | | | | there alone. You are driving with others whose |
| they too dangerous to drive? Can you travel as | | | | skill levels may leave a lot to be desired. So |
| fast as 100 mph and still be safe? The answer is | | | | buying a quality go cart is always a good idea. |
| yes and no. Sure, you can still be safe, but | | | | By taking these few simple precautions it will |
| without following certain safety rules you can | | | | improve your chances of having fun out on the |
| increase your chances of serious injury. It's not | | | | track by lessening your chances of becoming |
| necessarily the fast speeds that cause the serious | | | | injured. Go carts can be just about as safe as |
| accidents, but the unsafe or inexperienced drivers. | | | | you make them. With some practice and |
| The first rule of the road is to remain in your | | | | experience there is no reason why any driver |
| comfort zone. This is easier said then done | | | | can't move up the ranks safely. Keep safety as |
| however because racing is not for the timid. At | | | | your number one goal and go carting will be fun |
| some point, when you want to move up to a | | | | for many years to come. |