Go cart racing is a motoring sport for small, light, four wheeled vehicles. It is rapidly gaining popularity, especially amongst the young, since go carts can be assembled easily, and can prove to be a fun activity both on and off the tracks. The best go carts, however, cannot run without the best go cart racing tires.

Go cart racing, or karting, as the sport is known among enthusiasts, is like any other racing event. It can happen in rain or snow, sleet or sun, summer or shade, and anyone can participate. As a result, all components of a go cart must be in top shape, and able to withstand the tearing forces of speed as the go cart rushes through wind and to the finish.

Since go carts have to go at a speeds over a hundred miles per hour, the vehicle must be light and less prone to wind drag. Nearly all components of racing go carts are small, from the engine to the frame, from the clutch to the tires. Go car racing tires, especially, have to built not just for speed and durability, but for versatility in all kinds of weather and track conditions.

The most popular go cart racing tires are called slick tires, or slicks. Slicks are best suited for dry weather. They are soft tires which are the most advanced in any motor sport. In fact, slicks are the development ground for most Formula One races.

Races can still take place in the rain, and go cart racing tires must be built even for watery, slippery tracks. Smaller, more compact rain tires are most suited for rainy weather.

Go cart racing tires need not always be spick, span, and brand new. Worn, wet tires can cling best to low traction tracks, what with their well embedded scratches and ruts. Such go cart racing tires, sometimes known as intermediates, are well suited to damp conditions, where tracks can alternate between extreme friction and extreme slipping.

Ice will not stop go cart racers, and go cart racing tires can also be tailored for crisp, frosty conditions. These spiked go cart racing tires can cut through ice and increase a go carts' traction, allowing it to run at top speeds without losing grip on the tracks and spinning out of control.

More than the go cart racing tires' weather-proofing are the materials used for their upkeep. Go cart racing tires have to carry a vehicle through rough paths and around sharp corners, and they must be conditioned to have an increased grip on the track they are traveling on. Although banned by most racing organizations, special solvents can sometimes be applied to go cart racing tires to increase and maintain traction.

Go cart racing is made all the more fun by go cart assembly - and proper assembly is determined by selecting the appropriate go cart racing tires, chassis, frame, and engine. When assembling your go cart, be on the lookout for go cart racing tires which are adaptable to any weather condition. They may be expensive, but they can save you money if you are looking to assemble a sturdy, durable go cart.

If you want to save money and build a small, simple cart, second hand go cart racing tires, as well as second hand go carts, are also available. Just be sure to look for relatively new gear. An important factor when considering go cart racing tires is the axle size. Old carts will have 25, 28, of 35 mm axles. Go carts outfitted with tires such as Chen Shin or Bridgestone are probably four or more years old. Other obsolete tires include Maxxis slick or wet tires, and Vega slick tires. They may be good for damp tracks, but you may not find new versions if you are seeking replacements.

Be that as it may, not all old carts are bad carts. Old tires can be outfitted with wet weather rims, to protect them from rain; spare rims to keep slicks well maintained; and a trolley or spare sprockets to keep your go cart up and running. Select the best package that will fit your budget.

However which way you decide, whether you build your go cart or buy an old one, they key is to have the best equipment for your go cart racing needs.