98 Classes of karting
Description
This article is from the Motorsport FAQ, by A H Henry bspahh@midge.bath.ac.uk with numerous contributions by others.
98 Classes of karting
Sprint Karts
Sprint tracks are miniature road courses, usually one quarter to
one-half mile in lap length. Driving skill is extremely important to
handle decreasing radius, off camber, 180 degree and sweepers---the
typical kinds of sprint track corners. Sprint racing offers speeds
that may approach 70 mph on typical sprint track straightaways.
In the US, sprint races have time trials for grid position and run
three 10 lap heats for each class (there are 19 different 2-cycle
classes, in addition to the 12 4-cycle classes).
In Europe, nearly all sprint karts have 100cc two stroke engines,
with direct drive and no clutch. To start the kart, you have to pick
up the rear wheels, run alongside the kart and then hop on, to bump
start the engine. It is this class which is the main stepping stone
for kart drivers who want to race in F1. The "Super One" World
Championship is keenly contested. Past champions include Ricardo
Patrese, Ivan Capelli and Stefano Modena. Ayrton Senna's best
performance in the World Championships was a second place.
Speedway
This is dirt oval racing, run on a one-eighth to one-quarter mile
dirt oval. In the US, there are eleven classes of sprint-type kart
chassis. Grooved or treaded racing tires are used, and due to the
slippery track surface, driving techniques and chassis set-up are
more important than absolute horsepower. There are two preliminary
heats in each class and a 20 lap main. There are also 12 4-cycle
speedway classes.
Road Racing
The "Formula One" of Karting, these karts run on full size road
courses all over the world. Top speeds for these karts vary depending
on the circuit, 140 mph is not uncommon (two years ago at the
Australian GP in Adelaide, run the same weekend as the F1 cars,
through the speed traps where the F1 cars were hitting 194 mph there
were karts hitting 160......ouch!) The driving position is "laydown"
to cut wind resistance and many machines use use spoilers and other
streamlining devices. Races are one hour long, from a standing start,
and there are 19 classes, 2 of these are dual engine classes.
In Europe, these are commonly called the "gearbox karts". They run
on both the short circuits with the 100cc Sprint karts as well as on
full road courses. Although the competition is fierce, most "career"
drivers move straight from sprint karts to race in series like
Formula Ford or Formula Renault.
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