HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOUR BODY IS SUITABLE FOR GO-KARTING

Does being thin affect go-karting? Being thin isn't a disadvantage; in fact, a slender physique in go-karting can sometimes be a significant advantage.

We've received many questions from individuals wondering if they can fit into go-karts, even if they are taller or heavier than average. It would be a great idea to check if taller or heavier individuals can fit into go-karts comfortably.

The short answer is yes. Most go-karts have adjustable seats and pedals to accommodate most people comfortably. This means that some go-kart tracks may have maximum weight and height limits to ensure safety, so you should contact them beforehand.

However, I understand that some people want to purchase their own go-kart. Unlike rental karts, you'll need to find a go-kart with a sufficiently wide and adjustable seat while still being competitive.

Go-karts come in two sizes: large and small. If you're larger, you'll need to buy a kart with a larger seat. You should also ensure that your go-kart's frame has plenty of room to adjust the pedals and seat height. This way, you'll have a competitive edge and feel comfortable while racing.

This means that I've raced at various tracks and never had issues with my height (180 cm or 5′ 11 inches) or weight (currently 95kg). However, some people have told me that I wouldn't be allowed to race at certain tracks in Europe because I'm a larger individual. So, is there a maximum weight limit for go-karting?

Is there a maximum weight for Karting?

Everyone knows that go-kart tracks and championships have minimum weight limits, depending on the category. However, some also implement maximum weight limits. I've encountered various weight limits while researching tracks and championships.

Some go-kart tracks won't allow you to rent a kart if you weigh over 300 lbs (136kg). If you're racing professionally, the limits will be stricter. For example, some IAME championship races have maximum weight limits of 190-200lbs (86-90kg).

This shows that you should contact your local go-kart track to see what their weight limit is. However, you should remember that body weight affects your speed. This raises the question of what happens when you weigh more than your competitors in go-kart racing.

What happens when you weigh more than your competitors?

In my championship, I may have been one of the heaviest racers, yet I still managed to podium in every race, even weighing nearly twice as much as my competitors. Is that pure skill? Well, not entirely.

Weight checks before the race

In professional championships, officials will add weight to go-karts to ensure everyone has the same weight. So, even though I weighed more than most of my fellow racers, we all had the same weight when racing go-karts.

While this holds true for semi-professional championships or friendly races, national or international races are different. Organizers won't add any weight to go-karts in professional races. So, the only way to gain a competitive advantage over opponents is by losing weight. But that's not too difficult for professional racers.

There are also cases where you can opt for a higher championship with a higher minimum weight limit. While this may be great to offset your weight disadvantage, remember that the higher the championship you compete in, the more competitive your opponents will be.

For example, if you're old enough to enter the Senior category, you could compete for the Rotax championship or the IAME X30 championship if you're not too heavy. However, if you're heavier, you could race the Superkart category with a slightly higher minimum weight limit. However, Superkarts are not only extremely fast, but these championships are also highly competitive.

So, if you want to compete in professional kart racing, you'll need to watch your weight. In kart racing, even the slightest weight difference can make you faster and your kart more stable.

Although I've mentioned maximum weight quite thoroughly, what happens when you're tall? Can tall people drive Go-Karts?

Can tall people drive Go-Karts?

That said, I wanted to find out if there are any go-kart tracks with maximum height limits for racers. In my research, I stumbled upon the Margay Brava 4.15 chassis, or the Margay Brava Limo as it's more commonly known. This model was touted as the best choice for taller individuals because of its much longer frame.

However, Margay has discontinued the Limo because it provided a significant aerodynamic advantage for taller drivers. I imagine it's still used in informal races or some semi-professional races, but you won't find it in professional races.

So, I continued my research into karting communities and tracks worldwide to find out if there are any maximum height limits. I was surprised to learn that many drivers over two meters tall are still allowed to race, and they're quite proficient at it. However, I did find some go-kart tracks with maximum height limits.

While most tall individuals can still drive go-karts, some tracks have maximum height limits ranging from 6' 4” to 6' 7” (193-200cm). If you're slightly below that, you may still feel uncomfortable while karting, especially if your legs are cramped inside the go-kart.

That said, the number of tracks with height limits is very few. So, even if you're very tall, you shouldn't worry about not being allowed to drive go-karts. However, you should definitely check the track you plan to visit to be sure 100%.

It's also worth noting that taller individuals tend to weigh more, so you should also pay attention to any maximum weight limits.

Conclusion

Go-kart racing can be a pain for tall and heavy individuals. Some tracks have weight and height limits, but they often don't apply to most drivers. Additionally, they're only enforced for your safety as being excessively tall can make your go-karting experience truly uncomfortable.

That said, as a larger individual, I can assure you that most karts you'll encounter will be comfortable unless you're tall enough to be an NBA player.

If you have any further questions you'd like me to answer, remember to contact me or leave a comment below.

Stay tuned for more articles like this one!

Frequently Asked Questions When Assembling a Go-Kart:

How tall is too tall for a go-kart?
If you're over 6'4” (193cm), you might not be able to race at certain tracks. However, even if you're allowed to drive a go-kart, you may still feel very uncomfortable and sore.

Can plus-size individuals go karting?
The short answer is yes. Although some go-kart tracks have a maximum weight limit of 300 lbs (136kg), most tracks will allow you to drive as long as you fit into the go-kart comfortably."