There are quite a number of terms used when talking about go-kart related topics and not everyone may be familiar with them. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a go-kart terminology and glossary list for some of the most commonly used go-kart terms. You can simply look at the word and its definition or meaning on the right side. If you would like me to add any words to the chart, please let me know and I’ll be happy to add them.
Word | Category | Meaning |
---|---|---|
2-Seater Kart | Go-Karts | Certain rental go-karts feature 2 seats that allows people to side with an additional passenger |
2-Stroke Engine | Go-Kart Engine | An internal combustion engine for go-karts that completes a full power cycle in exactly 2 strokes |
4-Stroke Engine | Go-Kart Engine | An internal combustion engine for go-karts that completes a full power cycle in exactly 4 strokes |
Ampere (A) | Go-Kart Motor | Ampere is the unit that is used to measure an electric current in a go-kart motor |
Apex | Go-Kart Racing | An apex is the point of the racing track at which you are in the closest position to the inside of the corner |
Arrive and Drive | Go-Kart Racing | Arrive and Drive is a concept at karting facilities that lets you park your car and instantly race with go-karts without any booking requirements |
Band Brake | Go-Kart Brakes | A band break is a traditional go-kart racing break that uses a break band and a drum to create friction |
Belt | Go-Kart Transmissions | A go-kart belt or drive belt is a rubber belt that is connects the driver pulley to the driven pulley of a torque converter |
Bolt Pattern | Go-Kart Wheels | A bolt pattern is the number of bolt holes and their respective positions on a go-kart wheel |
Camber | Go-Kart Tires | Camber refers to the inward or outward tilt of the front go-kart tires |
Carburetor | Go-Karts | A device that is attached to the go-kart engine that mixes air and fuel ratio for optimal racing performance |
Caster | Go-Kart Tires | Caster refers to a positive or negative angle of the front spindle that the go-kart wheels are connected to |
Centrifugal Clutch | Go-Kart Transmissions | A centrifugal clutch is a type of go-kart transmission that engages through centrifugal force at a certain rpm range |
Chain | Go-Kart Transmissions | A go-kart chain or roller chain is a steel chain that connects to two sprockets, in order to to transmit rotational force |
Chassis | Go-Karts | A go-kart chassis refers to its frame or tubing that all the parts are connected to |
Chest Protector | Go-Kart Equipment | A chest protector is a vest-like go-kart racing equipment that protects your chest and rib cage |
CIK | Go-Kart Racing | CIK is the primary international sanctioning body for go-kart racing and stands for Commission Internationale de Karting |
Compound | Go-Kart Tires | A compound refers to the particular blend of materials that went into the construction of the respective go-kart tires |
Crankshaft | Go-Karts | The crankshaft is a rotating shaft of a go-kart engine that rotates when the pistons move |
Cubic Centimetre (cc) | Go-Kart Engine | Cubic centimeters (cc) refers to total amount of swept volume in the go-kart engine's cylinders |
Did Not Finish (DNF) | Go-Kart Racing | A go-kart racer who started the race but did not finish it |
Did Not Qualify (DNQ) | Go-Kart Racing | A go-kart racer who did not quality to participate in a race most commonly for not being fast enough in qualifications |
Did Not Start (DNS) | Go-Kart Racing | A go-kart racer who qualified for a race but did not start, also referred to as a no-show |
Direct Drive | Go-Karts | A direct drive go-kart has no transmission, where the crankshaft is connected directly to the rear axle sprocket |
DOT | Go-Kart Racing | DOT stands for Department of Transportation and is a safety standard for go-kart racing equipments |
Drafting | Go-Kart Racing | Drafting is an aerodynamic technique go-kart racing that takes advantage of a slipstream |
Drifting | Go-Karts | Drifting is a driving technique where the go-kart racer intentionally oversteers in order to slide sideways |
Durometer | Go-Kart Tires | Durometer is the international standard that is used for measuring go-kart tire hardness (Durometer is more commonly used in the US) |
Engagement Range | Go-Kart Transmissions | The engagement range of a transmission is the rpm range in which the torque converter or clutch starts to activate |
FIA | Go-Kart Racing | FIA is the primary international sanctioning body for automobile racing and stands for Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile |
Frame | Go-Karts | A go-kart frame refers to the chassis of a go-kart, but is more commonly used with homemade go-karts |
Gas | Go-Karts | Gas refers to gasoline and is the same this as petrol or fuel for a go-kart |
Gear Ratio | Go-Kart Transmissions | The ratio is calculated by dividing the number of teeth of the camshaft sprocket by the number of teeth of the rear axle sprocket |
HANS | Go-Kart Racing | HANS stands for Head and Neck Support and are devices to protect the head and neck areas when racing |
Horse Power (hp) | Go-Kart Engine | Horsepower (hp) is the output of an gas-powered go-kart engine |
Insurance | Go-Kart Insurance | Go-karts can be insured depending on the country and state that you live in |
IRHD | Go-Kart Tires | IRHD stands for (International Rubber Hardness Graduation) and measures the rubber hardness of go-kart tires (IRHD is more commonly used in Europe) |
Jackshaft | Go-Karts | An intermediate axle on a go-kart that transfer rotations force between the crankshaft and the rear axle |
Junior Karts | Go-Kart Racing | Junior karts are go-karts that are specifically designed for youths between the ages 11 to about 17 |
Lap Timer | Go-Kart Racing | A lap timer is a device that is attached to a go-kart which measures lap times via gps |
Live Axle | Go-Karts | A live axle on a go-kart is an axle that directly transmits power to both rear wheels equally |
Marshal | Go-Kart Racing | Race marshals are responsible for the safety of go-karters and are responsible to signal flags depending on the current racing conditions |
Master Link | Go-kart Chain | The master link is a component on a go-kart chain has connects and disconnects the chain |
Neck Protector | Go-Kart Equipment | A neck protector is a piece of go-kart racing equipments that goes in between your helmet and shoulders to protect your neck |
Nomex | Go-Kart Equipment | Nomex is a flame-resistant material developed in the 1960s that is often used in high-quality go-kart racing helmets and gloves |
Output | Go-Kart Engine | The output of an engine or motor is denominated in horsepower (hp) for gas engines and watts (W) for electric motors |
Oval Kart | Go-Karts | Oval karts are a type of racing go-karts that are built specifically for turns in only one direction that are used for oval race tracks |
Overtaking | Go-Kart Racing | Overtaking is a maneuver where a go-kart racer passes the kart in front of him or her |
Racing Flags | Go-Kart Racing | Go-karts flags are used indicating go, caution, stop, infraction, passing, last lap and finish line in a go-kart race |
Racing Gloves | Go-Kart Equipment | Racing gloves are specially design gloves for go-kart races that protect your hands from injury and cushion steering wheel vibration |
Racing Helmet | Go-Kart Equipment | A racing helmet is designed to protect your head from injuries in a go-kart race |
Racing Line | Go-Kart Racing | A racing line is the optimal path around a go-kart racing track |
Racing Suit | Go-Kart Equipment | A racing suit is specifically designed for motorsports such as go-kart racing and protects the body against injury |
Ramp | Go-Karts | A ramp is a sloping surface that is placed between the floor and a trailer, in order to position the go-kart onto a trailer |
Rental Karts | Go-Karts | Rental karts are go-karts that are available at a facility that you can rent and race with on the karting track |
Roll Cage | Off-Road Go-Karts | A roll cage is a constructed frame that is typically found on off-road go-karts which protects the driver and the passenger |
RPM | Go-Kart Engine | RPM stands for revolutions per minute and indicated how many revolutions the crankshaft is spinning at per minute |
Seat Belt Harness | Go-Kart Racing | A seat belt harness is a piece of safety equipments attached to the driver and seat to protect the driver from getting flung out |
SFI | Go-Kart Racing | SFI is a non-profit organization that sets standards for the quality assurance of go-kart racing equipment |
Slick Tires | Go-Kart Tires | Slick tires are go-kart racing tires that have a smooth or "slick" profile |
Slipping | Go-Kart Transmissions | Slipping occurs when a go-kart clutch doesn't fully engage |
Speedometer | Go-Kart Racing | A mechanical or digital instruments that measures a go-karts speed |
Spindles | Go-Karts | Spindles are steering parts for the front tires that help the go-kart wheels turn when the steering wheel is moved |
Sprocket | Go-Kart Transmissions | A sprocket is a profiled wheel with teeth that go onto the crankshaft, jackshaft, clutch or torque converter in order to transmit rotational power to the rear axle |
Stand | Go-Karts | A go-kart stand is a device where a go-kart can be placed on top of for repairs and maintenance |
Starting Grid | Go-Kart Racing | A starting grid is the starting configuration of a go-kart race |
Storage | Go-Karts | Go-kart storage refers to a location where a go-kart can be parked and stored |
Tensile | Go-Kart Transmissions | Tensile or tensile strength is the maximum stress that a material can experience before it breaks |
Tire Prep | Go-Kart Tires | Tire prep refers to tire preparation formula and procedures that are done before a go-kart race |
Torque Converter | Go-Kart Transmissions | A torque converter is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that can dynamically adjust it's gear ratio to the engine's rpm |
Track | Go-Kart Racing | A track is a facility built for go-kart racing that is indoor or outdoors and typically made of concrete or asphalt |
Traction | Go-Kart Tires | Traction refers to the amount of grip your tires have on a go-kart racing track |
Trail | Off-Road Go-Karts | A trail is a outdoor non-paved path that is designed for off-road go-karting |
Trailer | Go-Karts | A trailer is a unpowered vehicle that is attached to a car, van or truck in order to transport a go-kart |
Transmission | Go-Kart Transmissions | A transmission is a power transmission system in a go-kart, which are most commonly a torque converter or a clutch |
Voltage (V) | Go-Kart Motor | Voltage is the amount of electrical force that drives electric current in a go-kart motor |
Watt | Go-Kart Motor | Watt (W)or kilowatt (kW) refers to the electrical output of an electric go-kart motor |
How to Read the Go-Kart Terminology Chart
If you’re unsure on how to read the terminology chart above, you can refer to the explanation of it below. I’ll go through each column and explain how to read it.
Word
The word refers to the go-kart related term in question. These words are most commonly used in anything related to go-karts and go-kart racing.
Category
The category here refers to a group name of individual terms. For example, a clutch and a torque converter both belong to the category ‘go-kart transmissions’
Meaning
The meaning here refers to the definition of the term. Please keep in mind that these terms are explained in a go-kart context and not generalized.