One of the fastest growing activities for children is that of Go-Kart Racing. Outside of my town is an 1/8th of mile hoop that is used for this event. People come from all over the mid-west to give their child a chance to race with others. They bring campers and trailers loaded for the weekend.
Usually the races will start in the early afternoon with qualifying runs. Then after a break for the evening meal, the finals are run. There are all types of classifications. Co-Ed, Boys, Girls, Ages, and even a weight limitation in some cases. The track is an oval dugout dirt track. It has straw bales on the top side to keep the small go-karts on the track and help prevent accidents from happening.
The karts used here are all the same. They are a steel chassis with a protective cage around the driver. The motors are located behind the seats of the driver. All drivers are required to wear helmets.
Dirt track racing is the most common used for this type of racing. The size of the engines is two and four cycle. The younger the child, the smaller the engine is used.
Many fathers help with the maintenance of the vehicles between races. However, there are even mechanics that come to help just because they love the sport of racing. Karts are expected to remain clean. The children(drivers) are expected to help keep their karts clean from dirt and mud. Before each race, they have to be cleaned and inspected for problems that might come up during a race.
Usually the race is run over a set number of laps or a mile or two. It varies on what the meet directors decide to set up. Sometimes qualifying runs are made to determine the placement for the start of the races. It is similar to what Nascar does. There are two ways to set up a race. They are the in-line and the staggered starts. This allows for safe and quicker starts while eliminating delays on the start of a race.
This track has a start and finish stand located in the same spot. It also has two stop lights one at each end of the track. They are used for starting a race, cautions, and stopping a race. Very strict safety rules are followed.
Good sportsmanship among the drivers is encouraged throughout the evening. Sometimes the spectators get a little more emotionally involved than the young drivers. I believe this is because they have a better view of the race from the stands.
In talking with some of the parents, they spend the entire summer traveling around to different tracks to watch their children race. They do this instead of taking a vacation. Most races only give out small trophies or ribbons but, there are a few that gives a little prize money to help with expenses.
As I said earlier, there are qualifying races to get into the finals. That is the main goal. To get into the final race of the day. Although the children have fun for each qualifying race, they want to try to reach the final. Races are determined not only by the way the kart runs but, by the driving skills of the driver themselves. The more a child drives, the better they get.
There are other forms of Go Kart racing also. Some have car bodies that resemble miniature stock cars. There are some that have fancy race tracks that are paved with asphalt. It is a sport that is continuing to grow. Although many children will never make it to the big time, this gives them the opportunity to have a taste of it at a young age.
