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Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits. Karting is widely perceived as the stepping stone to the higher ranks of motorsports, with former Formula One champions such as Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Ayrton Senna having begun their careers in karting.

History

Karting originated in the United States in the late 1950s. The first kart was built in Los Angeles by Art Ingels, a fabricator at the Kurtis Kraft company, which built full-sized race cars. The sport quickly spread to other parts of the world and developed into a significant aspect of motorsports.

Types of Karts

There are several types of karts, categorized based on their specifications and the kind of racing:

• Sprint Karts: The most common type, used in short, twisty tracks.
• Endurance Karts: Designed for longer races, often involving teams of drivers.
• Speedway Karts: Raced on oval tracks, similar to those used in NASCAR.
• Shifter Karts: Equipped with a manual gearbox, offering a more challenging and faster racing experience.

Racing Formats

Kart racing can take place on dedicated kart circuits or on temporary tracks, such as those in parking lots or existing racetracks. Racing formats vary widely, including sprint races, endurance races, and time trial races.

Governing Bodies

The sport is governed by various national and international organizations. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the leading international body, overseeing world championships in karting.

Karting as a Career Path

Many professional racing drivers began their careers in karting, using it as a platform to learn racing techniques, racecraft, and gain exposure to teams and sponsors. Karting remains an essential step for those aspiring to reach the pinnacle of motorsports.

Safety

Despite being a form of motorsport, karting is considered relatively safe. However, like all motorsports, it involves risks. Drivers are required to wear protective gear, including helmets, suits, gloves, and boots. Additionally, karts are equipped with safety features such as roll bars and impact-absorbing barriers at circuits.

Popular Karting Events

Some of the most prestigious karting events include the Karting World Championship, the European Karting Championship, and the SuperNationals in Las Vegas. These events attract drivers from around the world and are often covered by international media.

See Also

• Open-wheel car
• Motorsport
• Racing driver

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