5 Reasons Why You Should Get Into Karting

Karting is often referred to as the “hidden gem” of motorsports. It is where almost all of the world’s professional racecar drivers began their careers, and it is arguably the most family-oriented recreational sport. While the cost of karting may seem high, the value of the memories you make doing it is priceless. The list below contains the Top 5 reasons as to why you should get into the most amazing sport in the country.

1. It’s safe

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Statistically, kart racing is safer than little league baseball per capita. With full fire suits, gloves, shoes, certified full-face helmets, and neck braces, not only karting but auto racing as a whole is safer now than it has ever been. In karting, kids and adults alike get to experience the power and agility of a Formula 1 racecar at a fraction of the speed. As the Wikipedia definition references above, kart racing is held at downscaled racetracks that compliment the characteristics of a kart.

However, Karting is only safe when done on closed, professional race circuits with track marshalls and EMT personnel available. This is why we at AMP bring in a medical staff for every open member day. When done right, karting is practically as safe as sitting on your couch watching TV.

2. The Experience Revolves Around Family

IMG_8369When kids play sports such as Football, Soccer, or Baseball, mom and/or dad drop them off at the beginning of the night for practice, pick them up when practice is over, and maybe catch a few games on the weekends. In karting, parents and kids are with each other every step of the way. Kids and parents learn to work together to solve problems such as how to achieve their goals of faster lap times, a better handling kart, and how to race without having to bump other racers out of the way.

There is no other sport that opens communication between parents and kids as much as kart racing does. For many parents, it isn’t even the time at the track that is the best part; it’s the memories they make on the drive to the track.

3. The Adrenaline Rush

There is no other form of motorsports that can be even be compared to the value that karting offers. It is less expensive than car racing, more safe than motorcycle racing, and more competitive and fun than just track days in your daily driver. Karting is simply unmatched in its ability to give a driver the rush of speed and competition in a low-cost, low-maintenance motor vehicle.

4. To Get/Stay In Shape

When Formula 1, Indycar, and NASCAR drivers look to keep their reflexes sharp during the off-season, they go straight to karting. Go-karts have the closest power-to-weight ratio to that of an F1 car, and the physicality and endurance needed to drive the fastest karts is nearly on par with a top-level open-wheel car as well.

Between the G-forces in the corners, the arm and shoulder muscles needed to turn the kart without power steering, and the cardiovascular endurance needed to maintain one’s heart rate at such a high level for a 20-lap race, karting is one of the most physical forms of not only motorsport but sport in general! Just an hour of driving a racekart over a day can leave you lying on the ground trying to catch your breath. Talk about an actual fun way to get fit!

5. The Community

At the endIMG_8314 of the day, while most of the pro did start in karts, you won’t find race team scouts at your local kart track. Karting is about making lasting memories and friendships with people who share your love for the sport of auto racing. Racers giving parts to fellow racers and helping out a friend in need just so another kart can get out on track and race is commonplace in the karting community.

The best way to describe it is just one big, happy family. Nothing is perfect and sometimes people may get frustrated with each other, but the comradery and respect between all involved is second to none.