Open wheel racing is about as fun as it gets. Watching skilled Indy Car drivers race around a 2 1/2 mile oval track speeds greater than 230 mph will be an adrenaline-pumping delight. Open wheel racing has existed for many years and go kart racing is a variant of this open-wheel motor sport. And just because go karts race on a smaller track at slower speeds doesn't mean they are not every bit as fun. Furthermore, lots of drivers use karting as a stepping stone to more costly, aggressive, and faster racing. This is where a number of the most famous racers started their career.

There are many different varieties of karts that have different amounts of engine muscle. Speed is mostly determined by the scale of the go kart engines, but it's additionally influenced by the quality of the go kart frame, especially when it involves cornering. If you stick with it, you might in due course work your way up to the Super Karts that achieve speeds of 160 mph or more. If that is just a touch too quick for your taste you can opt to drive other varieties of karts that will go much slower. Go karts will vary in speeds, with some going as unhurried as 10 mph at the neighborhood fun center.

Tecumseh, Honda, and Briggs and Stratton are several makers of standard 4-stroke go kart engines. These corporations manufacture low-powered motors that will generate somewhere between 5 and 20 hp. These motors are generally used by beginner racers or in family fun centers. But do not let the little amount of horse power fool you; a number of these engines will push a go kart at speeds as much as 50 mph. This might not appear quick in your mind, but once you start taking corners in a tiny kart at these speeds you'll quickly recognize just how speedy this really is.

Several 4-stroke engines have additional muscle and will turn out up to 50 hp. For maximum speeds you'll need to go with a 2-stroke engine, but top 4-stroke motors will run at approximately 11,000 rpm and are frequently utilized in National Championship class go kart racing. A number of 2-stroke motors will produce as little as 10 hp or fewer, but some will additionally generate 90 hp or more at 16,000 rpm. Speeds in excess of 160 mph will be achieved with these robust 2-stroke motors.

In the olden days the motors were air-cooled, but with the increased speeds of today the majority of go kart motors are water-cooled. Some of the less powerful 4-stroke motors are still air-cooled, but the highest hp engines are generally water-cooled. No matter what type of racing you want to do, whether at slower speeds for faster speeds, there's an engine that will fit your needs.