Sure,  most of us have driven a go-cart when we were kids. Either at an amusement park or one that belonged to a lucky friend, These little creations were typically powered by an old lawn mower engine and would push you around a little oval track or the street at a mind numbing 20 mph! Well, today there are a few facilities that offer a little more sophisticated style cart with a bit more power. However, if you still yearn for more speed and more challenge, check out the world of Karting, that's right, with a K!   

Michael Sterling owns one of these karts and races with the Phoenix Kart Racing Association. These guys race on a 12 turn, 0.7 mile road course that has a 500 ft. straight away.  In Mike's class at this particular track the speed record is 72.5 mph at the end of the straight away. Lap times average 52 mph. These karts have a top speed of about 120 mph if you give them some room to leg it out! Most tracks are wisely designed to more test the drivers skill and finesse at navigating the constant turns as opposed to an all out drag race. Do they handle well? You can hit 2.5 G lateral acceleration when you have you ride set up right!

Michael's Kart is a 2001 CRG Road Rebel equipped with a Rotax FR125 Max engine package. This is a 125 cc water-cooled two-stroke single cylinder engine making 28 horsepower at 11,500 rpm! These engines have a power band between 6000 and 12,000 rpm. Redline is 14,000 rpm. The motor is equipped with an electric start and a centrifugal clutch. The ignition is digital and has a pre-programmed ignition curve.

The karts chassis weighs about 175 pounds, including engine and 1 gallon of fuel. Stopping is accomplished utilizing dual caliper rear brakes with a floating vented rotor. The front end is adjustable for ride height, toe, camber, caster and ackerman. The rear end is adjustable for ride height as well. Front and rear sway bars are utilized as well. Rolling stock consists of specialty racing tires and magnesium wheels.

Below are a couple of pictures of Michael and his kart in the pits and out in action!ju