Apr 26 2009
“The Purest Form of Motor Sport”
Nope it’s not Formula One. Neither is it GT racing. Nor is it LeMans. It’s also definitely not drifting.
I’m talking about go-karting, which was described as such by Ayrton Senna.
Go-karting might sound like kiddie business, and it is, if you’re using normal machinery. Racing karts however, are a much more serious (and seriously fun) endeavour.
I got to sample some real go-karting the other day on a weekend jaunt up to Johore Bahru last week. Why I waited until now to tell you about it is because I wanted the pain in my neck to go away first.
I’m still waiting for it to disappear a week later.
The reason is I got to try out a 125cc racing kart on a blistering track for ten laps and I’ll say it was probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever driven – the forces a kart like that can put on the body is amazing. The track, at Plentong, features a 270-degree bend which is single-handedly responsible for the pain on the left side of my neck.
Part of the reason is the light weight (160kg or so, depending on your competition formula) coupled with the 125cc two-stroke engine. They’re the same sort as found in 125cc motorcycle racing, and give out around 30bhp like this Italian Tonykart shown.
This gives you a power to weight ratio of 0.2bhp/kg. In comparison, a normal family sedan gives less than 0.1bhp/kg, while the McLaren F1 sports car offers 0.5bhp/kg. And with just 160kgs to pull on slick tyres, karts generate huge cornering forces – which is why most F1 drivers today start out in karting.
You can watch some ‘old friends’ having a little fun in karts here.
Like any motor sport though, pro karting is dangerous and expensive.
Racing karts cost around $10,000 or more and can easily reach speeds in excess of 100km/h so I’d recommend trying out less powerful machines – you can seriously injure yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing.
But if you’re just looking to have some fun (and it’s the most fun you’ll have on four-wheels), hiring is good enough. I know I’ll be back, once my neck is.
