An important component of a fast and durable go kart is the go kart frame, also known as the chassis. It takes a well-designed, solidly built frame to keep your tires glued to the ground while maneuvering through congested hairpin turns at bullet speed. You are much more likely to lose control with a lower chassis.
The frame or chassis of a go cart is made of steel tubing, attached to the axles, and supports the engine and bodywork. Because go carts do not have suspension, the frame must be stiff enough not to break under stress and flexible enough to act as a suspension. Tight turns are a big part of kart racing and can be very hard on frames, so some flex is essential for maneuvering and some stiffness is crucial for durability.
The 4 Types of Go Kart Chassis….
Open, caged, straight, and offset are the four types of chassis. A caged chassis has a fixed roll cage that surrounds the occupant of a vehicle. The key function is to prevent injuries during a crash, primarily in an accident involving a rollover, but it can also help reinforce the frame. A roll bar is sometimes used instead of a roll cage. The roll bar is positioned immediately behind the occupant and offers a moderate amount of safety in a rollover, but less than a roll cage. An open frame does not have a roll cage and therefore will not protect the racer as competently.
Straight and offset frames are named based on the location of the corridor. If the driver sits in the center of the go cart, it is known as a straight frame or frame. If the racer sits on the left side, it’s an offset frame or chassis. Straight frames are typically used for drag racing, while offset frames or chassis are typically used for drag racing. Speedway racing is normally the name used for oval tracks that encompass all left turns.
An efficiently constructed chassis increases stability and efficiency….
No matter what type of frame is used, a well-built frame will provide you with a durable kart that can take the punishment it takes on rough tracks. Different types of racetracks and circumstances demand different levels of chassis stiffness for optimum efficiency and stability. The level of stiffness will fluctuate depending on whether the route is asphalt, dirt, or concrete.
A stiffer chassis is usually better in drier track conditions, while a more flexible chassis is better for wet track conditions. The best frames allow the stiffness to be easily altered to best suit the current weather and track conditions. You can adjust the stiffness if you have the ability to add or remove reinforcement bars on the front, back, and sides of the cart. The best karts give you this ability.
Chassis that are too rigid, without enough flexibility, can break very easily. The right amount of stiffness and flex will allow the driver to maintain true steering during hard cornering instead of slipping or drifting. This will improve performance and also increase the life of the frame.
Buy the best Go Kart chassis for your specific track….
To buy the best chassis, you need to determine what type of karting you will be involved in. If you want to race a particular track, you need to talk to the pros at that track to find the right frame for that precise track. They can help guide you to frames that will work well for the various conditions on your race track.
Also, there are a large number of go kart governing bodies, and each one has its own unique set of rules. Recognizing what is within acceptable limits and what is not up to par for the track you will be racing on can prevent you from purchasing a cart that is not acceptable on that particular track. Buying the best chassis for the right track and conditions, with the ability to change stiffness as needed, can significantly increase your enjoyment and achievement when racing karts.