How to race a Go-Kart

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By Zach Engle
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race a Go-Kart

If you are thinking about getting into racing, Go-Karts are an extremely fun and fairly inexpensive route to go. This article will discuss the basics of getting into Go-Kart racing and help you decide if this form of racing is really for you or not.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Go-Kart
Safety equipment
Truck
Tools

Step 1

Karting Track

The first thing you need to do is get online and look for racetracks near you that have a Go-Kart series at their track. Check out the tracks schedule and find an event that you could attend.
Step 2

Attend one of the events on the tracks schedule. Don't go empty handed. Be sure to bring along a pen and pad of paper. Arrive early so that you can talk to some of the drivers and crew while they aren't in the middle of the raceday. Ask any questions you may have and be sure to take notes. Some important questions you may want to ask could be "How much does it cost on average, to run each race?" or "How much time do you have to put into the Go-Kart after each race?" Most people will be more than willing to answer your questions. In racing, any inside information you can get is extremely beneficial, especially to beginners. Watch the races throughout the day and get a feel for what the typical raceday is like.
Step 3

If you like what you see and decide that you would like to give Go-Kart racing a shot, you first need to make sure that you have a way to haul the Go-Kart and all necessary equipment to and from the racetrack. If you are on a tight budget, you can get by with just a truck. Load up everything in the bed of the truck and make sure it is strapped in good. If you have some extra money, a small trailer is a good idea and much more convenient.
Step 4

You are now ready to start searching for your Go-Kart. Depending on your budget, you can buy a new or used Kart. Prices may vary greatly, from $2,000 used to upwards of $8,000 new. Shop around and find the best deal. Always remember however, it costs money to be competitive. Go-Kart racing is taken very seriously and drivers will spend hundreds and even thousands to get every little edge they can.
Step 5

After you have purchased your Go-Kart, you will need to make sure you have all of the equipment necessary for racing. This goes from tools to safety equipment. This is where your notes from step 2 can come in handy. You should have a list of all the tools and safety equipment you will need to race. A great place to find used parts is www.ekartingnews.com in the "forums" section.
Step 6

You are now ready to put your new Kart on the track. Find out the dates and times that open practice is available at the track you visited. Go out and run some practice laps and get the feel of the Go-Kart. I cannot stress how important seat time is in racing. Don't be discouraged if you think you aren't doing well. Practice, practice, practice, as much as you can. Learn to tune the Go-Kart so that you know what adjustments need to be made when the Kart is not handling well. Patience is key. If you put the time and effort into it, the rewards will show in your performance.
Step 7

Finally, you are ready to go racing! Check out the schedule again and go to an upcoming event. Don't expect to show up and win right away. Use the first couple of races to get the feel of things. Once you gain some valuable experience, you can compete in top Karting leagues such as the WKA (World Karting Association) national series (www.worldkarting.com). Remember to just have fun and always be safe!