How to Choose the Best Go Cart Frame

Choosing the right go cart frame, also called a go cart chassis, can make the difference between success and failure on the track. Using an inferior go cart frame or chassis will increase the amount of stress placed on the go cart, make handling more difficult, and even cause accidents. If you want to get more enjoyment and success out of racing it’s important to know how to choose the best go cart frame as well as other quality go cart parts.

When your go cart is racing around hairpin turns at breakneck speeds you need to be confident that your go cart tires will remain glued to the course. The only way to maintain top speeds through corners is by having sufficient grip. And getting the traction you need requires a combination of things including high quality tires and a top-notch go cart frame.

You may not think that the go cart frame is as important as the type of go cart tire when it comes to gripping the track, but that is not the case. A well-designed and well-built chassis is a vital component of track grip. Without a first-rate go cart frame you are more likely to lose control through tight turns which can result in lost positions or even accidents.

A Top Go Cart Frame is Made of Steel Tubing

A go cart frame is made from strong steel tubing and is the component that holds the axles, body, and engine. Go carts don’t have suspensions so it’s crucial to have a frame that is stiff enough not to crack under the strain of racing, but flexible enough to act as the suspension. Cornering puts a lot of strain on a go kart chassis, so flexibility is necessary for precise maneuvering while stiffness is required to keep the go cart from cracking or breaking.

There are four different types of go cart frame: caged, open, straight, and offset. A caged chassis has a cage attached to the frame that protects the driver in the event of a rollover. As an added benefit it can also help make the frame more solid by acting as a brace. Some go carts have roll bars instead of cages that will help lessen the chance of injury in a rollover, but they are not quite as protective as a cage. If there is no cage, the go kart is considered as having an open chassis.

The other two types of frames are classified as straight and offset and are named according to the position of the driver. If a driver sits in the center of the kart it is called a straight chassis. If the driver sits off to the side it is known as an offset chassis or frame. Offset go cart frames are typically seen in speedway racing, or racing on an oval track while making all left turns. Straight frames are normally used in sprint racing.

A Good Go Cart Frame Will Improve Flexibility and Stiffness

A strong and well-built frame will not only provide balanced levels of flexibility and stiffness, but will make it more effective and lengthen its lifespan. Go carting can be tough on vehicles and a sturdy chassis is critical if you expect your go cart to endure the punishment it will receive on the track.

Depending on what type of surface you will be racing on, different amounts of stiffness and flexibility in the go cart frame are needed. When the weather and track conditions are dry a stiffer frame is usually best, but when they are wet you will usually want to go with more flexibility. If you buy a cheaper go cart frame or chassis you may not be able to adjust the stiffness to accommodate the current track conditions, which makes it important to buy a high quality chassis that will allow you to adjust it as necessary. This one factor can improve your success on the track tremendously.

Using go cart frames that are too stiff can quickly result in fractures and cracking. If your chassis is adjusted for the proper flexibility and stiffness you will be able to maintain a truer line through sharp turns and avoid excess sliding. This will keep you in the race instead of forcing you to drop further and further back from the leaders. Plus, as an added benefit it will increase the lifespan of the frame.

Determining which go cart frame is the correct one for your situation is best resolved by following a couple of easy steps. First, figure out what type of racing you want to do and at what track you want to race. Once you know where you will be racing you should ask the professionals at that track what chassis is best for that particular track. Each track has different characteristics and finding a go cart frame that works best for that particular track will help steer you toward the proper frame.

Another factor to be aware of is that there are many different governing bodies in go carting. Each governing body will have different requirements and regulations so it’s important to be aware of these rules so that your go cart frame and go cart will adhere to them. You don’t want to find out that your go cart is not accepted at a track after you have already purchased it.

The bottom line is that you should buy a go cart frame that can be adjusted and that will be accepted at the track where you intend to race. Doing your homework before buying the first go cart you find will improve your enjoyment and success out on the track. By buying the right go cart frame and then testing out various stiffness amounts, you will be able to set your go cart frame up for maximum success.