Nascar Racing

Nascar Racing  » Are Go Carts Dangerous? 4 Steps to Safety!

Are Go Carts Dangerous? 4 Steps to Safety!

When you're driving 5, 10, 15 or 20 mph in your go cart it's a

fairly save way to have fun. But at speeds of 160 mph or more it

can get a little hairy unless you take some safety precautions.

Go carts are certainly thrilling, but they can also be dangerous

if not taken seriously. You have to remember that it's not just

you out on the track. There will be other drivers attempting to

pass you around sharp corners whose talent may be questionable

at best. By following a few common-sense safety rules you can

eliminate most of the serious dangers.

Different types of go carts can have speeds ranging anywhere

from very slow to very fast. But regardless of the speed they

are always exciting to race. They are simple vehicles that are

also easy to handle. No matter what your skill level there are

tracks all over the country that will fill your needs and wants.

There are many go cart classes or levels that will cater to

every age range from kids to adults. Gocarts are generally easy

to drive and easy to control. This is why they have become so

popular, because it's an easy and relatively cheap way to

experience the thrill of Formula 1 racing without the expense or

the danger.

There are many different types of vehicles that are built for

racing fun. Among these are ATV off road vehicles, motor

scooters, dirt bikes, mopeds, mini bikes, motorcycles and

gopeds. But if you are wanting to experience the thrill and

excitement of Indy Car or Formula 1 open-wheel racing, with a

powerful gas engine rocketing you down the track, and with

relative safety, go carts are what you will want to be climbing

into.

For beginners to experts, and everyone in between, go carts are

fun. Whether you want to drive as slow as your Grandma or as

fast as Tony Stewart and Michael Schumacher, racing go carts can

get you there. Many top professional NASCAR, Formula One and

Indy Car drivers today got their start in the lowly go cart.

With a lot of practice maybe you can achieve the same

success.

It wasn't too long ago that go carts were mostly found in family

fun centers where any kid and his little brother could go racing

at a whopping 15 or mph. They still exist, but real go cart

tracks have been springing up all over. It's now possible to go

60 miles an hour in a go cart. And if that's not fast enough for

you try an enduro go kart and reach top speeds of 90 mph. Or

race shifter go karts at an astounding 160 mph. Don't start

sweating yet, you don't have to go that fast to have fun. You

can drive in any level or class that you feel comfortable

with.

But this brings up some questions: With go carts speeding down

the track so fast these days, are they too dangerous to drive?

Can you travel as fast as 100 mph and still be safe? The answer

is yes and no. Sure, you can still be safe, but without

following certain safety rules you can increase your chances of

serious injury. It's not necessarily the fast speeds that cause

the serious accidents, but the unsafe or inexperienced

drivers.

The first rule of the road is to remain in your comfort zone.

This is true for any type of racing, including motorcycles, dirt

bikes, scooters or ATVs. And it is easier said then done however

because racing is not for the timid. At some point, when you

want to move up to a more experienced level or class, you may

not feel equipped to do that. However, by building up your

confidence in the lower classes you will eventually be ready for

more competition. Just don't try to move up faster than your

driving expertise allows.

Back in the olden days, when go carts were extremely slow, you

could go racing safely without a helmet. Those days are long

gone. Even in kiddie tracks helmets are a requirement now. The

helmet is perhaps the most important piece of equipment that a

go cart driver will ever use. There are other pieces of

equipment that are necessary too, but none more important than a

high-quality helmet. In the event of a crash it can spare you

from a serious head injury.

To a great extent you can control the amount of danger that you

are faced with. Many decisions that you make before climbing

into the cart will determine how safe it will be for you out on

the track. From the type of clothes you wear to the type of go

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cart you buy will help determine your safety level on the track.

By taking every safety precaution that you possibly can you will

lessen your risk of sustaining a serious injury. So do your

homework and be prepared. It's a lot more fun racing go carts

when you can walk away after a race instead of having to be

driven away in an ambulance.

The importance of clothing can't be overstated. The slower you

race the less important clothing becomes, but the faster your go

cart goes the more you need to be sure you are clothed properly.

Depending on your speeds certain clothing may help spare you

from serious injury. At faster speeds fire safety suits are a

must. There is ignitable fuel in your vehicle and in the event

of a crash it is possible for it to catch fire. Preventing burns

is a very desirable thing. Other indispensable gear includes

fire-resistant racing shoes to protect your feet and gloves for

your hands.

All go carts today have roll bars that extend higher than the

driver's head. The chassis of the go cart will either be open or

caged. A caged go cart has a cage that covers the driver. It

protects the driver in the event of a rollover. It serves the

same purpose as a roll bar. Most tracks demand a cage for

safety. Go carts also have side bars that can protect you from

serious injury should another driver ram you from the side. You

have to remember, you could be the greatest driver in the world,

but you're not out there alone. You are driving with others

whose skill levels may leave a lot to be desired. So buying a

quality go cart is always a good idea.

By taking these few simple precautions it will improve your

chances of having fun out on the track by lessening your chances

of becoming injured. Go carts can be just about as safe as you

make them. With some practice and experience there is no reason

why any driver can't move up the ranks safely. Keep safety as

your number one goal and go carting will be fun for many years

to come.

About the author:

J Larry Alan loves fast go carts. It's

his addiction. Nothing is better than a little go cart action

except a lot of go cart action. For more information about go carts visit Go Carts Supreme.