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Shifter Carts Or Shifter Karts

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Published: March 19, 2007

These days, more and more people are trying to find new and extreme sports. Perhaps the most popular extreme sport is racing. What started as one version of racing has now transformed into sub divisions. There's Nascar racing, drag car racing, and the very popular kart racing. Shifter karts are usually seen as the first step into becoming a member of the world of kart racing.

Shifter karts, synonymous with shifter carts, began in 1956 with the father of kart racing: Art Ingels. Ingels, a long time hot rod racer and car mechanic, wanted to race in a different way, specifically closer to the ground and more open. Once the shifter karts were made their popularity grew in the U.S. and is currently growing in Europe.

Shifter karts are part of a subdivision of race karts known for their high speed and hazardous capabilities. Depending on design and weight, shifter karts can reach up to 115 mph -160 mph and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3 - 4.5 seconds. Shifter karts have been compared to riding a fast and intense roller coaster.

When competing in kart racing, drivers are divided into different subdivisions. These divisions are separated mostly by the design and make of the shifter karts. The four aspects that separate each division of kart racing are: roll cage, engine, transmission, and tires.

Although shifter karts differ in make, there are also different types of racing formats. There are generally three different kinds of kart racing. The shortest kind is the sprint. The sprint is generally ¼ mile – 1 mile and includes turns on a street-like track. Usually the sprint kart racing doesn't last longer than 15 minutes.

Endurance is another kind of race that generally lasts between 30-45 minutes. Shifter karts are raced on a full size road track that is between 1.5 - 4 miles long. Generally, the shifter karts are not allowed to stop for pit stops during these races.

Speedway racing takes place on an asphalt or clay oval track and is the most familiar type of kart racing track. Speedway races can last anywhere from 20-40 minutes for one heat, consisting of 4 laps around a track. The main event of speedway races involves shifter karts racing 20 times around the 4 mile track.

Shifter karts can be a weekend hobby or a serious sport. No matter how much time is put into shifter karts, be sure to know the risks. Racing shifter karts can be the most enjoyable thing in the world, or it can be the most tragic if drivers are not careful. It's important for drivers to know how to be safe and practice on the track.


Sources:
Kart Racing. Wikipedia. 7 Mar. 2007. 7 Mar 2007. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-Kart>.
About the International Kart Federation. IKF. 2007. 7 Mar 2007. <http://www.ikfkarting.com/child/about/about.sh tml>.
About WKA. World Karting Association. 2007. 7 Mar. 2007. <http://www.worldkarting.com/pg/visitors/about. html>.
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