The racing subcompact car, the kart, has gained a lot of popularity as a cheap way to engage in auto racing. For many athletes, karting is the first step towards conquering the heights of motorsport. It is believed that the first car without a body appeared as a result of children's fun - riding wooden carts down a hill, but over time, drivers fell in love with it so much that it became one of the most sought-after sports driving devices. Now karting has become an independent sport discipline.

The history of karting began during World War II. American aviation pilots assembled motorized carts from improvised means and arranged entertaining races during their holidays. A car similar to modern maps was first seen in the summer of 1956 in the USA. It was created by racing car mechanic Art Ingles. On a simple frame, he installed a 2.5 hp lawn mower engine.

The machine gained popularity, resulting in the founding of the world's first karting company. In 1957, a test race was organized in Pasadena and technical regulations were developed. In 1964, in Rome, the first championship was held. Karting is now an official sport. If you read the biographies of Formula 1 champions, it becomes clear that their path to the world of motorsport began with karting.

Fast driving on the map requires the use of certain:

• Entering the turn, you should move according to the scheme - outer / inner / outer radius.
• Driving on the shortest path is not the fastest way to corner.
• The symmetrical trajectory of cornering is not the best. This is due to the different dynamics of braking and acceleration of the kart.
• Avoid skidding because skidding is braking - and braking worsens the result.

Popularization

Karting is the most massive and popular in the world. Gaining experience in driving a kart, participating in competitions of different levels, riders get into other classes of racing. Karting is supported by automobile federations, promising young people are noticed by managers of professional teams.

In the 60s. in Kursk, the first kart for auto racing in the history of the USSR was designed, marking the beginning of the explosive development of sports in the Union. The official establishment in the USSR is considered to be 1960, the year of the adoption of the “Rules for holding competitions on micro cars of the “Kart” type”. Mass production of cars began and by the beginning of the 1990s. more than 130 thousand people were engaged in karting in 5 thousand sections.

Since the 2000s interest in karting is reviving in Russia, the number of clubs and sections is growing. Rental centers and modern world-class karting tracks appear. Now in Russia there are 168 karting tracks, 44 indoor and 24 outdoor karting centers.

Racing format

The format determines the size of the kart, the duration of the qualification, the duration of the race itself and the number of mandatory vehicle changes in one run. The race consists of qualifying and main parts. The minimum number of participants in the race is also determined. Adjustment may be subject to the time allotted for qualification and race. Karting tracks can be open/closed (there are large indoor karting tracks). There are also special tracks that have a large number of difficult and sharp turns. They are used for sports racing. The traffic control system on the track is flag.

High-speed races with a separate start at a short distance. The determining factor is the accuracy and time of passing the distance.

Races of long duration with pit stops and fixed arrival times. After the leading car crosses the finish line, or after the time has elapsed, all participants in the race are given a signal to end the race, after which points are calculated.

• Speedway

It is a race on a closed cinder track with a specified number of laps. Prize points are awarded to the winners.

Technique

The card device is made of magnetic alloys. On the frame are located, steering, seat. The main modern types of karts are rental and sports, they have differences in the installation and tuning of the steering, and. The low center of mass provides high acceleration dynamics and incredible grip with the road surface, which literally glues it to the road. The speed of the kart depends on the curb weight (weight with pilot) and engine power (usually does not exceed 150 km/h). Driving this car requires good riding and driving skills. The height of the pilot should not exceed 1 m 90 cm. The speed record was 260 km/h.

Chassis

There is no shock-absorbing suspension in the map; the frame also plays its role. The main feature is a hard ride that requires a specific one. On any unevenness, the car throws up strongly and knocks off the trajectory, the driving process is extremely tough.

Power point

Karts are equipped with small-capacity 2-stroke petrol engines for sports and 4-stroke for rental. Engines with water or air cooling, very popular models - "Rotax". For sports, the motor and cooling radiator are installed on the side, and for recreational driving, they are installed at the rear of the rental kart.

Gear box

• chain
• automatic transmission with centrifugal clutch and variator
• manual with a classic set of pedals: gas, brake, clutch pedal

brakes

Single disc, on the drive shaft or on separate wheels

wheels

The diameter of the front wheels is smaller than the rear. For use various:

• slicks
• rain
• intermediate
• winter

Sports karting

Professional karting includes such classes as:

• children's
• national
• international

Sports classes of karting are used as a way to the top of racing competitions. Professional karting allowed many racers to start their sports careers: Formula 1 legend Aerton Senna, brothers Michael and Ralf Schumacher. Russian Formula 1 pilot Daniil Kvyat also started his career in karting.

International classes

Many manufacturers of karts and components for them hold their own championships. The stages of the competition are held in different countries, while not only professional racers but also amateurs have the opportunity to participate. Sodi World Series, for example, brings together more than 170 karting tracks around the world. The Rotax MAX Challenge series is very popular.

Karts with an engine capacity of 125 cm3 without a manual gearbox participate. Minimum weight with driver (curb weight) 145 kg. Pilots are 12-15 years old.

125 cm3 engine with automatic transmission. The minimum curb weight is 158 kg. The age of the pilot is 15 years.

• KZ2/KZ1

The cards are equipped with a 2-stroke water-cooled internal combustion engine. Engine displacement up to 125 cm3 and 6 gear shifting speeds. The minimum curb weight is 175 kg. Pilots must be 15 years of age. KZ1, except for the ability to change the gear ratio of the gearbox and tires of the type - Soft, is similar to KZ2.

• Rotax-Max junior

Rotax engine with a power of 15 kW, curb weight - 145 kg.

• Easykart

Allowed by engines with a volume of 50, 60, 100 and 125 cm3.

Class - National

Such classes are created by the national motorsport federations, under whose auspices the competitions are held.

Karting Championship and Cup of Russia

“ ” in Russia is held in national classes: Pioneer, Cadet and National Junior and is officially supported by the Russian Automobile Federation:

• Pioneer

Single-cylinder air-cooled engines are used. Gearbox with 2-5 speeds. Age of participants - 8-12 years.

• Cadet

The same as Pioneer, except for the installation of a 50 cm3 engine. The age of the driver is limited to 10-15 years.

• National Junior

The gearbox has 4-6 speeds. Engine - 125 cm3. The age of the driver is 13-18 years old.

factory classes

Karts with single-cylinder air-cooled serial production engines participate: IAME EasyKart 50-125 cm3 and Rotax-max.

amateur classes

• Competition classes on rental karts and senior classes with low power karts

Children's classes

Children from the age of 6 can participate in competitions, but it is allowed to learn how to ride at any age.

They are divided into:

• Micro
• super mini
• Pioneer
• Cadet
• Mini Rocket
• rocket
• EasyKart-50, 60

Rental karting

This type of leisure is paid entertainment. At the karting track, participants are instructed, receive the necessary equipment and go to the track. There are rental sports competitions of amateurs. They are far from professional karting, but they are no less popular.

"What Russian doesn't like to drive fast?" - says a popular saying, although it is rightly attributed to everyone who drives a car or rides on a flat surface of the autobahn. The rules of the road approved speed limits and penalties for reckless drivers. And if you can’t, but really want to take off, then, perhaps, there is no better and safer way than karting.

It all started with a cart

And all this would have remained at the level of fun if it were not for the designer of the Curtis Craft Company, which specialized in the production of racing cars. Art Ingle, that was the name of the designer and former pilot, presented to the public in 1956 at the races a simple open car with a motor, which was dubbed a cart. Translated into English, the word sounds like cart. Subsequently, cars began to be called karts, and races were called karts.

Two manufacturing firms were founded in the USA: the Go Karting Company and Ingles-Borelli. Kart production begins to expand into developed European countries. Thus, five auto-cards bought by a British businessman in 1958 from the Americans grew by 1960 into a hundred card-producing companies. At the same time, the UK launches the Karting magazine.

First cards in Russia

The very first domestic kart came out of the walls of the Kursk city palace of pioneers in 1960, thanks to the experimental laboratory of small cars and master Lev Kononov. Another point of popularization was the Kharkov Palace of Pioneers. The karting section of Eduard Kostenko and Vitaly Enin successfully worked there.

Karting became so wildly popular that such a sport had to be recognized at the official level. At the end of 1960, the USSR Motor Sports Federation takes patronage over it and creates the first provisions and requirements for karting, classification and competition rules. The first all-Union races were held in Riga in 1962, and in 1963 Moscow hosted the first USSR Karting Championship. There was a biathlon system: a circuit race and a track race.

The first champions of the country were O. Koshits and V. Stepanov in the categories of 175 cm 3 and 125 cm 3 respectively. By the age of 70-80, karting becomes the absolute choice of young people. About 130 thousand boys and girls, adults and children are engaged in DOSAAF. For this, 180 tracks and 33,000 karts have been built.

Rise of federations

In May 1960, the International Federation of Motorsport decided that karting was the same kind of motorsport as Formula 1. The International Karting Commission was created, which held the competition. The debut championship took place in 1962 in the capital of Italy. In 1992, the USSR Automobile Sports Federation was replaced by the Russian Automobile Association (RAF), which subsequently, by agreement with the International Motor Sports Federation, allocated the RAF Karting Association to support and promote national sports.

The device of modern karts

The car has two pedals: gas and brake. The brake pedal is quite sensitive, and the ride is harsh compared to a familiar car. No depreciation. The vibration is caused by the speed of the motor, which is attached to the frame. The dynamic movement of the car gives drivers such pleasure that karting becomes a favorite pastime.

A distinctive feature in different photos of karting is such that you can notice a different eversion of the wheels on the front axle when cornering. The more you turn the steering wheel to the left, the more the left wheel turns more than the right. With the right eversion, the same thing happens by analogy. Light weight and ease of steering still requires sufficient physical fitness. Even after a little tracking, the muscles of the arms and the shoulder girdle get very tired, and the attempt to keep the car at speed makes the whole body work in static tension.

Another feature of the card is its all-season. On winter tires, studs and protectors are such that it is great to go karting in winter. Moreover, in the northern countries, they mainly hold winter competitions on fireballs.

Machine classification

What is karting from a technical point of view? This is a dynamic sport that requires new technologies, ergonomic solutions, power and enhanced safety measures. And the mechanics have worked and are working on it all the time. A variety of technical characteristics and capabilities have developed into a single classifier of fireballs. Officially, it sounds like this: "Classification and technical requirements for kart racing cars."

There are four groups:

• Group 1. It includes cards "Formula A" and "Formula Super A". Similar technical characteristics with small advantages of the second. KF-1 and "Super Kart" belong to the first group, they differ in engine size.
• Group 2 The second group includes Intercontinental-A-Junior, Intercontinental-A, KZ1, KZ2, Rotax Max and others.
• Group 3. "Pioneer", "Cadet", "Micro" - these are all fireballs registered in the Russian Automobile Federation.
• Group 4 Various variations of the Izzy Kart class are characterized by an engine capacity from 50 to 125 cubic meters without a gearbox. There is also an "Izzy Kart Shifter" with a 6-speed gearbox.

Competitive classes

The classes in which athletes compete directly depend on the type of kart:

International classes are represented by cards KF2, KF3, KZ1, KZ2, "ROTAX MAX", IZZY KART". Cars participate in international tournaments.

National classes("Pioneer", "Cadet", "National Junior", etc.) are held at the state level, all fireballs are registered in the RAF.

amateur classes participate in rental kart competitions, that is, any karting center can arrange a championship with its own prize. A feature is the lack of receiving a discharge.

factory classes represent competitions on fireballs of one manufacturer.

Basic Rules

The national sports rules for karting date back to 2006. There are eight main points in the rules. They state that the official authorized organizer is the Motor Sports Federation. All karting rules for local competitions must be agreed with the FAS, have correctly completed documentation. The following are the features of the actual check-in. The document says that the regulations should define the starting signal for the participants.

The start line is indicated, which can be from the move or from the spot. The start line from a place is characterized by a line in front of which all fireballs are built. The running start line is the timing reference point. The requirements for the location of signal traffic lights are described. In the event of a breakdown of a traffic light, signal flags are used at the competitions. The basic rules of karting set the following tasks of timing: determining the time for control races, the timing of each driver and the timing of the best time or the best lap.

Not only professional athletes, but also amateurs should be aware of the rules for cornering in karting. Correctly set trajectory on turns allows you to keep the speed of the kart and squeeze the maximum out of the car. You need to turn along a gentle curve of the track. If you choose a short trajectory or the inside of the track, then you need to slow down. Professionals advise to enter the turn slowly, and accelerate on the exit. Tactics in turns depends on the track itself. If one turn is replaced by another, then you need to think through the whole path at once, slowing down at the first turns.

Children's karting

When asked what karting is for children and whether it is needed, we can safely answer that this is almost an ideal start for motorsport. Michael Schumacher, Mickey Hakinen started with him. In addition, you can practice from the age of 6. There are corresponding classes: "Micro" (6-9 years old), "Mini" (8-11 years old), "Super Mini" (11-13 years old), "Izzy Kart".

Features of children's karting, perhaps, consist in the weight and displacement of the car. For local competitions, the speed limit of the kart is 40 km/h. A maximum speed of 100 km/h is allowed in the Supermini class for participants aged 11-13.

In childhood, we all loved to play, it was our main occupation and entertainment. Through games, we learned to learn and learn something new every time. The girls liked to play with dolls, but the boys liked to play with soldiers and cars. I remember how we, as little boys, wanted to drive or steer in a real car. And now dreams come true. Now we work as coaches in the karting section at the House of Creativity on Poklonnaya Gora, and we came here when we were 11-12 years old.

Now a lot of people from the smallest to already respectable uncles like to relax, riding go-karts. Entire families spend their leisure time in karting clubs, getting great pleasure, not even knowing that this is a very serious kind of motorsport. But wait, we, as experienced karters, have found some bugs that we are a little worried about. Firstly, we will drive by car, not ride, and this car is correctly called - cart. This must be remembered. Karting is a kind of motor sport, and kart- a car driven by drivers named kart drivers. But this high rank still needs to be earned with great difficulty, but for now we are just Drivers.

There are now many open

and closed karting tracks. Karting is a hobby that unites whole families and friends. It not only entertains, but also develops a person comprehensively. And we will try to prove it to you on the example of our school. So, let's begin.

How did karting come about? There are very few books about karting in Russian and all of them are mainly designed for future athletes. BUT only every tenth person who loves to ride these cars becomes a real karting athlete, and the rest? The rest continue to enjoy this incomparable pleasure. For them, this is leisure, they devote their free time to karting, their favorite hobby: it’s not boring, it’s interesting, and it’s useful ...

So there is an opinion that karting appeared thanks to American military pilots, who during the Second World War at their air base in their free time from flying had fun riding carts with small motors. Others say that the birth of karting is associated with American boys aged 9-14, who rode down the hills on special carts in the form of wooden boxes. Such carts were controlled with a rope connected to the front wheels. They competed with each other and such competitions were called “races of soap boxes (Soap Box Derby). Or maybe before it was soap boxes? Interestingly, you will not find the word KART in the English-Russian dictionary, but the word CART exists and it is translated just like - “cart”. Their carts were without motors and were then called micromidgets, which translates as "the smallest." Then someone suggested replacing these boxes with a flat steel frame. Further more interesting. Around 1955, an American magazine told about a boy who decided to put a small washing machine motor with only 0.75 horsepower on his "soap box". This is probably how the first club of the smallest cars was born. The first rules for these cars appear, the so-called technical requirements, that is, the requirements for this technique - microcars. The length of the car was supposed to be no more than a meter and a half, the diameter of the wheel was 30 cm, and the mass of the fueled car was supposed to be no more than 92 kg. Behind, for safety, there were protective arcs, and the riders fastened their seat belts.

And only in 1956, the adult uncle Art Ingels, he was a mechanic, built a go-kart on which the already adult racing driver Daffy Livingston drove. He showed the audience gathered to stare at such a spectacle how simple this machine is and, most importantly, not expensive. Firms for the manufacture of these machines began to appear. The first such company, for the construction of go-carts, was created by Livingston himself and called it the Go-Kart Company. The cars were first called go-cards, and then just cards.

In 1957, the "American Karting Club" appears. This club develops special rules for karting competitions. In 1958, karting moved to Europe (Mickey Flynn, a US Air Force pilot, brought 5 karts to England). England, France, Italy actively began to produce such machines and accessories for them. Unfortunately, there were no uniform requirements and rules, and then the International Automobile Federation (FIA), which considered karting only leisure entertainment, decided to take it under its wing and create the International Karting Commission (CIK). Then everything fell into place. There are clear rules and requirements. And already in 1964, international competitions were held.

Karting came to Russia thanks to foreign magazines. In 1960, such a magazine was brought from France by Viktor Marzhetsky. Karting began to take root in our country. The Russian Motor Sports Federation, even before the appearance of Russian karts in our country, developed and approved the “Rules for holding competitions, classification and technical requirements for kart-type cars”. It was December 3, 1960. In 1961, Yuri Melikov at the stadium named after V.I. Lenin drove on the map along the ice path for almost a whole circle. By the way, Russia is the only country where winter races are held. And "Timkart" for many years in a row takes the highest places in them, being the multiple Champion of Moscow and the Moscow Region.

Today, dozens of karting competitions are held annually in Russia. Karting opens up new and talented personalities, both among racers and mechanics. Our club employs outstanding mechanics, they are also former athletes Lobanov Sergey, Shevchenko Taras, Starikov Konstantin, Osipov Valery and Roman and others.

And now briefly and by date, do you know?

Briefly by dates:

Since the 30s of the twentieth century - "races of soap boxes" (Soap Box Derbi),(9-15 years).

1951 in Phoenix - 0.75 HP engine

1953 - 25 participants; track racing

1955 - Popular Mechanics magazine article "Make way for micromidgets"

1956 September - Art Ingels built, drove - Duffy Livingston, Pomona. 1.84 kW.

Livingston - "Go-kart company", Ingels - "Caretta"

1957 - "American Karting Club", competition rules

1958 - 5 karts were brought to England, Mickey Flynn of the US Air Force (1960 - more than 100 companies)

1962 - International Karting Commission (ICK), unified sports and technical rules

1964 - the first World Championship - Rome, Italian Guido Sala

USSR

1960 - Kursk Palace of Pioneers, Lev Kononov; Kharkov Palace of Pioneers, Vitaly Enin and Eduard Kostenko; Odessa - Fedor Shakhmatov; Latvia – Leonhard Reingold

1960, December - Federation of Automobile Sports (FAS) of the USSR: Competition rules and classification and technical requirements

1961, January - Luzhniki: motorcycle racing on ice, demonstration race on the map, Yuri Melikov

1961, May - the first competition, cycle track in Ventspils, Latvia, 14 athletes

1961 - competitions in Moscow, Tula, Noginsk, Smolensk (cycle track, cinder track)

1962 - the first, Riga, 80 athletes from 8 cities, "car ring"

Greetings to all lovers of a healthy lifestyle and sports!

Sport is an excellent educator especially for children. If you began to notice your child that he is enthusiastically looking at cars passing by, carefully studying the instruments in the cabin of your personal car, watching you while driving, then your child is showing interest in auto technology. And if he asks you to steer in the front seat, then do not refuse him, but on the contrary, try to explain to him all the subtleties of the technical structure of the car. In the future, you can safely not look for the sports section where you wanted to send your child, but immediately go to the children's karting section. Agree, dear fathers and mothers, you will be very pleased if your son or daughter successfully drives a car in the future. Go-karting can become a family hobby that brings kids and parents together. The time of the competition is joint trips to the venues, the races are also a common rest for both children and parents. So what is children's karting? But let's start with the basics.

The first thing that worries parents if they seriously decide to send their child to the kart racing section (specialized racing cars) is how dangerous this sport is. According to experienced coaches, karting is less dangerous than sports such as skiing, martial arts and team sports (hockey, football, basketball). You can start karting for children from the age of five, when the child can reach the pedals. Children's karting in our country has become widespread not so long ago, so when choosing a section, pay attention to the professionalism of the coaches working with children in such clubs, who would practice an individual approach to each young racer. A trainer teaching a child to become his first teacher, he will select a training program, offer you several options for a training regimen. In the first few lessons, children are taught safety precautions, and until the child learns and tells his mentor, he will not be allowed to practice on the map.

A kart is a sports car that has a frame, chassis, engine, steering, and braking system. The children's kart is a kind of Formula 1 racing car. Its design is similar to the design of the car, mainly in enhanced driving safety. The kart has a low landing, which prevents the car from rolling over, protective equipment for the driver, including a helmet. Of course, the equipment costs a lot of money, but it's not a pity for a child. A helmet and a suit can be purchased at specialized motorcycle shops, there you can also buy karts, but its cost is rather big. But at first, equipment, and even more so maps, can also provide sections where your baby will go. The engine power of such a machine is relatively small, and the ride is safe. I will give an example of the technical characteristics of a children's kart.

Motor - Honda GX 120 (4 hp)

Brakes - hydraulic

Rubber- Brigestone

Additionally: Adjustable pedals are installed. Reinforced protective body kit with damper pads. Special adjustable seats and pedals are installed on children's karts, which allows children of the smallest age and height to feel comfortable behind the wheel. Bridgestone sports tires and hydraulic brakes make the kart handle like a real racing car. Much attention in the children's card is paid to the safety of the pilot, this is primarily a helmet, neck protector, rib protection. The kart has a reinforced plastic body kit with damper pads that will protect the young rider in case of collisions. For a more correct fit, the machine is equipped with a special individual seat insert. The karting track itself is planned in such a way that there are no sharp turns and turns for young pilots at the very beginning of their lessons in the club, besides, all tracks are equipped with soft safe fences.

And what do psychologists say about the passion for karting since childhood? On karting, the child develops independence, a sense of responsibility, coordination of movements and speed of reaction. Appears perseverance and the quality of a leader. In the karting section, children are taught to instantly assess the situation and make the right decision. In addition, the child will develop intelligence and logical thinking. Usually classes in clubs last about 1.5 hours, this includes several races of 10 minutes. Races on the track alternate with theory classes, where the coach analyzes the mistakes in detail and describes how to eliminate them. In theoretical lessons, children are introduced to the rules of karting races, including the meaning of flags. But when practicing this sport, the question arises, how will this intersect with studying at school, in order to avoid cases of missing lessons, in the autumn-winter period, training takes place on Saturdays, and if the school day and Saturday, then you can individually with a coach to resolve this issue.

Karting is not a cheap pleasure, well, for example, a closed helmet costs from 3-5 thousand rubles, the cost of a neck protector made of polyurethane foam is 1-2 thousand rubles, the desired protection of the ribs is 2-3 thousand rubles. Overalls, gloves and boots for karting - depends on the wishes of the parents. But I think no more than the equipment of a young hockey player.

In the process of karting. your child has the opportunity to take part in competitions, and if the desire grows into something more, then a professional racer can grow up. Which in the future may submit and "Formula 1". It is not for nothing that the famous M. Schumacher began his career at a young age with karting. Best regards, Sergei.