Kart racing

The kart is a single-seat, open, equipped with a combustion engine or electric motor vehicle that is similar in construction to pedal cars.

The first kart was built in 1956 by the U.S. engineer type Ingels - equipped with a lawnmower engine that powered a rear wheel of a bicycle chain. Ingels, who built previously at Kurtis Kraft race car, came with his invention of great interest. Quick, there were imitators of the simple concept and in parking lots first races were held. Back in 1959, karts were shown at the Paris Motor Show and so found their way to Europe.

In karting, which will be held in various national and international racing series, depending on the engine karts can reach speeds of 60 km / h to 75 km / h Particularly powerful karts, the so-called super karts that reach top speeds of about 280 km / h

Weaker versions offer but also lay people, and especially children the opportunity to be introduced to the sport. Therefore, it was and is the karting for many racers entry into motorsport, including began Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel their racing careers on the kart track.

Especially after the success of Schumacher in Formula 1, karts also enjoyed great popularity as a recreational sport. There are numerous kart tracks (often in warehouses ) that allow even non- athletes race karting. Because of the few safety precautions on the kart - little panels, usually no roll bar or strap - there is also usually a helmet law. Professional athletes wear Kart beyond the typical racing clothing consisting of overalls, shoes and gloves.

Construction

Framework (including chassis)

The chassis of a kart consists of a round or oval tube steel frame. At the front and at the sides of plastic panels are mounted on the rear, a HAS ( rear bumper ) is in most racing series prescribed. With high performance karts a rear wing can be grown. Since karts have no suspension, should the frame can absorb shocks without breaking or too strong to yield. The stiffness of the chassis can be customized by the installation of additional stabilizers on the track conditions.

Typically, the driver sits in the middle, also put in special versions for oval courses. Very rarely are two-seater karts. For off-road karts ( Kart Buggy ) roll bar are used in karting but is largely waived. In Bambini Karts (8-12 years ) but seats are required with rollover protection.

Motor

The kart engine is located in front of the rear axle ( mid-engine ), usually slightly offset diagonally behind the driver. Originally a single-cylinder two-stroke engines of motorcycles were in karts mainly used accordingly also write most racing series, these engines before. But are particularly great in the hobby now also sports four-stroke engines, Wankel engines or electric motors are used, including exotics such as motors of ultralight aircraft with more than 600 cc.

In karting ³ capacity are usually used engines with 60 to 250 cm. Their capacity ranges from 4 hp ( throttled " Bambini " ) to around 100 hp at Super Karts. The so attainable speeds depend greatly on the selected gear ratio. Speeds up 280 km / h only Super Karts, if this speed is also achieved on the relevant course. The values ​​obtained from normal racing karts move from 100 to 150 km / h Throttled carts ( karts, Bambini ) are designed to 20 km / h for 65 or 35 down.

Alternative electric drive

Numerous manufacturers for racing karts or compete for technological progress. Meanwhile, the developed electric drive for years is a mature alternative solution to the problem of ever-stricter environmental regulations in noise and exhaust emissions.

Initially equipped with lead-acid batteries and brush motors, the vehicles are now equipped with temperature controlled lithium iron phosphate batteries. For today's mass production include, inter alia, one - and two-engine solutions with reduction gear, differential and electronically controlled battery management systems, brake lights, headlights and is speed- bound sound generators.

Power transmission

The power is transmitted from the engine via a chain to the rear axle. By changing the gears on the axle and the engine allows the translation to adapt to the road conditions, from high-performance karts three to six common sequential gearbox used. In modern karts a centrifugal clutch ensures that the engine does not stall at slow speeds or when stationary.

Since Karts do not have a differential gear, a rear wheel slide during cornering. To reduce the resulting braking action and the loading of the tire slipping, the chassis is constructed such that the inner rear wheel so easily lifted and loses grip.

Braking is via a cable-operated or hydraulic disc brakes on the rear axle. Also optional front disc brakes are used, but are only for shifter karts ( KZ2, KZ1 ) and Senior Karts ( KF2, KF1, IAME X30, ect. ) Allowed. The brake with the left pedal is pressed ( right is the accelerator pedal ).

Kart tires - usually tubeless, air-filled rubber tires - are significantly smaller than normal tires, the wheels usually have a diameter of 5 to 6 inches. As in other motor sports also there are slicks, wets and intermediates. Where are allowed in races only slicks and wets.

Road karts

Although originally developed for the race track, there are also carts street legal (also called " Street Karts "). According to a European Union directive ( 2002/24/EC: approval of two or three-wheel and four-wheeled light vehicles), these karts are considered motorized mini vehicles and can therefore be approved for use on public roads. Since karts easily reach top speeds over 60 km / h and they are allowed to drive on motorways accordingly. With a maximum speed of 45 km / h road karts can be approved as light vehicle ( license -Class S ).

Since karts are due to their low height for other road users to see bad and hardly ensure passive safety, this regulation is controversial.