Most racing go-karts are relatively quick, especially from a standing start, although top speeds vary a lot by age range and engine size. But you might be wondering what the fastest racing karts in the world are.
The fastest karts in the world are 250cc super karts. These karts are designed with a powerful engine and an aerodynamic shape that allow them to reach tops speeds of about 140 mph (225 kph). Other custom-built karts, such as the Daymak C5, are faster, but these are not readily available.
Super karts are incredible machines that you can see out on track. Unlike other karts, these super karts use the entire race track layout rather than a smaller karting circuit. We take a closer look at these karts below, and we also discuss how fast electric karts can go.
What Is The Fastest Go-Kart In The World?
Drag karts are the fastest go-karts in the world, specifically the CBR 1000 drag kart. These karts are designed for drag races, and they can reach top speeds of 180 mph (289 kph). They’re so fast because they produce 450 horsepower while only weighing 250 kilograms (550 lbs).
The engine is built onto a custom-made chassis designed to work with that specific engine. They reach speeds that are incredibly fast for something that has no doors or roof to protect the driver, and no suspension to control any bumps in the tarmac.
The Engine
The kart is fitted with a CBR Honda engine from the top line of sports bikes. The 4-cylinder inline engine can rev up to 12,000 RPM on the sports bike. However, the engine used on the drag kart has been customized to increase its power output. A twin screw supercharger was added, and the engine runs on pure methanol. Both of these factors add a significant amount of power to the already strong CBR engine.
Overall, the engine produces 450 horsepower, but the kart weighs just 250 kilograms (550 lbs), which leads to a power to weight ratio of 1.8 hp/kg (0.8 hp/lb). For reference, modern Formula 1 cars have a power to weight ratio of 1.3 hp/kg (0.6 hp/lb). This is the main factor that contributes to the kart’s incredible straight line speed.
Aerodynamics
Pure power is often not enough to achieve top speed in the fastest and most efficient way. The aerodynamics of the kart are also crucial as they will determine whether the kart glides through the air with ease, or if it will meet more resistance when it’s traveling at high speeds.
The CBR drag kart has been designed with an aerodynamic shape at the front and a rear wing at the back. This gives the kart much more stability when it’s traveling at higher speeds and ensures that it is pressed into the tarmac.
Quarter Mile Drag Race Comparison
| Rank | Car | Time |
| 1 | McMurtry Spéirling | 8.0 s |
| 2 | Porsche 919 Hybrid (Mk II) | 8.3 s |
| 3 | Ferrari F2004 | 8.6 s |
| 4 | Toyota TS040 | 8.6 s |
| 5 | Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro | 8.6 s |
| 6 | Rimac Nevera | 8.6 s |
| 7 | Weineck Cobra 780cui | 8.8 s |
| 8 | Porsche 935/77 (598 PS) | 8.9 s |
| 9 | Ferrari SF70H | 9.0 s |
| 10 | CRB Drag Kart | 9.0 s |
| 11 | Ferrari 312 B3 | 9.0 s |
| 12 | Ferrari SF15-T | 9.1 s |
| 13 | Bugatti Chiron Super Sport | 9.1 s |
| 14 | Lucid Air Sapphire | 9.1 s |
| 15 | 9ff Salvatore | 9.2 s |
| 16 | Ultima Evolution (1020 PS) | 9.2 s |
| 17 | Red Bull RB7 | 9.2 s |
| 18 | Tesla Model S Plaid | 9.2 s |
| 19 | Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport | 9.3 s |
| 20 | Ferrari SF90 Stradale | 9.3 s |
From the table above, you can see how quick the CBR drag kart is compared to some of the fastest road cars on the planet. The main reason this kart is so fast is because it is tuned for maximum acceleration over a short distance. The small front aerodynamic package, low fuel loads, and light weight help the kart to achieve incredible speeds very quickly.
The Fastest Go-Karts In The World
The fastest racing kart category is the 250cc superkart class. These are not custom built karts as they have official tournaments and competitions all over the world. These karts are so powerful that they are raced on full race tracks rather than karting tracks.
Superkarts have an aerodynamic body with a large rear wing that gives them the ability to lap much faster than normal karts. The aerodynamics give these karts grip through the corners and keep them stable at high speeds.
Superkarts have 250cc engines that produce around 100 horsepower. The total weight of the kart including the driver is just 205 kilograms (451 lbs) depending on the weight of the driver. This means that these karts have a power to weight ratio of 0.49 horsepower per kilo, or 0.22 hp/lb. This is the equivalent of the old A1 Grand Prix cars, which were also incredibly quick.
Superkarts can accelerate from 0-60 in just three seconds, and they can hit a top speed of 250 kph (155 miles per hour). These karts also have incredible stopping power, going from 160 kph (100 mph) to a dead stop in just 2 seconds. This means that they need to tackle large circuits, because karting circuits are usually too short and narrow for them to race on.
Categories Of Superkart Racing
Superkarts race in several different countries, mainly in Europe, Australia, and the United States. The British Superkart Championships are the most popular superkart categories around the world, and they are also divided into different classes.
Each class in the superkart championships has a different type of superkart with varying power and weight measurements. This allows drivers to be split up based on age and skill level, just like in standard karting championships, where classes are divided into KZ1, KZ2, and KZ3.
Division One
Division One is the premier class of superkarts. These are the fastest karts in the category, with 100 horsepower that can propel you to 145 mph (230 kph) in just a few seconds. It’s the “Formula 1” of karting, and this class offers full tuning and setup options, giving the drivers freedom to customize the karts to their liking.
F250 National
The F250 National used to be the official national tournaments for the UK, but that has now been taken over by the Division One class. There is a significant difference in the engine output between the two classes, with the F250 National karts producing just 65 horsepower. Nevertheless, they can still hit speeds close to 130 mph (210 kph).
The other difference between these karts and the Division One karts is the larger wings and aerodynamic elements. This gives these karts much more downforce, even though they are slower. The additional downforce also benefits them through the corners.
F450 National
The F450 Nationals look much bigger than all the other superkarts. The engines are tuned differently to produce more torque at lower RPMs, which gives them an advantage when accelerating out of corners. These karts are ideal for tight and twisty sections on tracks.
Formula 125 Open
Formula 125 is the entry-level class in superkarts. It’s the easiest and cheapest way to get into the sport. These karts use a 125cc KZ shifter kart engine that is often used in the Karting World Championships. These engines produce 50 horsepower, and they can push the kart to 120 mph (195 kph).
The biggest difference between these superkarts and the other classes is the lack of a rear wing. With no rear wing, the karts have less downforce, which means slower cornering speeds. However, this also means that the karts produce less drag, which allows them to achieve higher top speeds than KZ karts despite using the same engine.
How Fast Are Electric Go-Karts?
Electric karts are incredibly fast in terms of acceleration, but they lack top end speed, with most maxing out at around 50 mph (80 kph). These karts use an electric motor to get instant power delivery, allowing them to accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour (0-100 kph) in just 2.5 seconds.
However, the weight of the electric motor holds them back when it comes to top end speed, and they often struggle to go past 50 mph, although some may reach higher speeds. Nevertheless, their quick acceleration still means that these karts are rapid and extremely fun to drive.
Final Thoughts
The fastest kart in the world is a custom-built BR drag kart. This kart can produce 450 horsepower and reach speeds of 180 mph (289 kph). The CBR drag kart can complete a quarter mile drag race in just 9 seconds, which is faster than some production Ferraris and the Bugatti Chiron.
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