Drift Go Kart

Drift karts (also written drifting carts) can be both a source of enjoyment and entertainment for children and an adult mode of transport for extreme sports. A drift go-kart for children is a small vehicle that resembles a very low tricycle, often with a plastic body. Conversely, drift go-karts for adults are full-fledged open sports cars usually used on special tracks and circuits.

The key word here is drift. All drift karts for adults and children have front-wheel drive; the pedals or the engine are connected to the front wheels. Because of this characteristic, it becomes possible to drift without much effort and perform various tricks while riding sideways.

Electric drift karts are the middle way between the other two models: they are usually smaller (and pricier) and are powered by a 24V go-kart engine.

The functioning of a drift kart

The low center of gravity plays a big role in drifting karts (literally a couple of inches from the riding surface). Because of this, it isn't easy to turn over the vehicle while riding at any speed.

However, this aspect is a double-edged sword, even on a mini drift kart – the low center of gravity gives the vehicle stability but also makes it impossible to use on an imperfectly flat surface, such as a bumpy asphalt or a paved courtyard.

That is why children's models are usually used inside, while electric and adult drift cart races take place on tracks that have as many sharp turns as possible. Also, drifting go-karts have notoriously small wheels and a handbrake for drifting, which looks like a handle to the right of the seat and is very convenient.

Choosing a drift go-kart

Some parameters should be considered when choosing a drift go-kart for adults or children. For example, the load capacity, which indicates how much weight the vehicle can withstand.

Mini drift karts usually come with pedals and are a good choice for smaller kids. If the kart is equipped with an engine, its power should also be taken into account. The higher it is, the higher the speed the go-kart will be able to reach. On the other hand, the more powerful the engine is, the faster the battery of an electric drift kart will be discharged. Of course, this also depends on battery capacity – the larger it is, the longer the kart will go without recharging.

The maximum speed a modern drift kart can reach is around 18.5 mph, but for a very young racer, it is better to opt for a model that can reach a speed of no more than 3 mph.