Kart Racing: For the Great Gods of Speed

You dream of becoming the next great gods of speed, Michael Schumacher and Mika Hackney. The speed and burning rubber gives you that thrill and sudden surge of adrenalin rush. You want to be the next racing legend, sans the danger.

If the above descriptions sound familiar to you and are something you can relate to, then you might want to try kart racing.

Karts are considered as the miniature versions of the Formula race cars. It has a speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Unlike a regular streetcar, the gas pedal is found on the right side while the brake pedal is located on the left side. Thus, a kart driver must get used to using both feet to control the two pedals. A kart also runs on one gear. The engines of the kart accelerate faster than the regular engines of street cars. And unlike the street cars which start by switching on the ignition key, a kart is started by giving it a push.

To start, one must wear the appropriate get-up like high-cut sneakers, comfortable clothes, and a helmet. The neophyte driver then gets to feel the kart's speed and cornering ability. This is done by driving back and forth around the pylons on the two ends of the tracks' straightaway. The same exercise also allows the driver to drive with only two pedals sans the stick shift.

The next exercise would be allowing the driver to zigzag between chicanes and hairpins. This aims to train the steering capabilities of the driver while teaching him how to enter and exit a curve in the fastest way possible, as well.

At this point, you might want to try karting. Harder session will follow, but before finding the next kart racing school for the lessons, keep in mind the following safety measures.

1. Protect your arms from bruises and scratches by wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

2. Protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun by applying sun block and wearing a cap or a visor.

3. Be prepared for the physical exhaustion brought by karting. Always bring water with you when you go karting.

You can still achieve your dream of being the next Formula-one legend. But then you have to start from scratch. Remember, race gurus consider karting as the best training sport for "open-wheel" car racing.