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