An Overview On How To Build A Kart

Many children want to know how to build a kart. Anyone can build one with just a few simple steps, one can be built in as little as one day.The materials are some wood, it does not really matter what type of wood as long as it is thick enough to support your weight. Most types can be rescued from the garage or shed.

You will need four wheels, from an old baby buggy or a couple of broken bikes so long as they are not too large and they have center holes. Two metal spindles that will pass through the center of the wheels freely and some nails, bolts, drill, hammer and a saw.

The length of the kart does not really matter but you need to be able to reach the front axle with your feet if steering that way. Once you have all your materials and tools you can get started.First step is to make your seating area, about twenty inches square for comfort. If using plywood sheet just cut this out with the saw.

Once you have your seating area, you could then add a longer section that goes from the back seat to where the front wheels will eventually be. This should be about six inches wide and between four and five feet long depending on your preference.

Now you can fix a four inch wide piece of timber beneath the width of the seating area to hold the spindle for the back wheels, this can be held in place with nails bent over or U shaped staple type nails, once this spindle is in place you can then put your wheels onto the spindle, remember your spindle must stick out from the seat by a couple of inches to allow for the wheels and movement.

You can secure the wheels in place with a spring type washer or can drill a hole in each end of the spindle so once the wheel is pushed on, a nail can be inserted into the hole to keep the wheel from coming off.The last step is to put a cross piece in that swivels at the front end so you can steer it.

Just use the same size board as the back that took your spindle for the back wheels but use a bolt so this section moves left and right freely, again fix your spindle to take the front wheels as you did with the back ones, now you may use your feet to steer or tie rope to each side of the front section and pull to turn left or right.

Learning how to build a kart may be the start of bigger and better ones, you may add a padded section of covered foam from an old chair for extra comfort or build the sides up so you don't fall off, but the main thing is to enjoy your ride. Always be careful on steep hills as these have no breaks and can be dangerous.

Danielle Brown, Author

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Danica To Dazzle

Danica Patrick is well on her way to making a name for herself in NASCAR. She entered the NASCAR Nationwide Series last year by running a part-time schedule with JR Motorsports. As a newcomer to the Nationwide Series she hasn't exactly set the world on fire but she does hold her own and is showing definite signs of improvement. Some say she is doing it the "right way" by continuing to run a part-time schedule in the Nationwide Series this year. Granted she can't dedicate herself full-time to NASCAR as she is still running her regular IndyCar Series schedule. Perhaps this is a good way to start out trying a new venture but at some point if she wants to make the leap to the Sprint Cup Series she is probably going to have to commit herself full-time to stock car racing.

Patrick seems to draw the fans but reviews have been mixed. Some say that she uses her gender too much. One report alluded to her temper being a result of "her time of the month". Last year Kyle Petty made a comment along the lines of "if she sells a few t-shirts and hats she should consider it a successful season". A bit condescending but a large part of NASCAR is the driver's popularity with the fans. If she can draw the fans, then NASCAR makes money and everyone is happy. It is a business after all. Dale Earnhardt Jr is a prime example of this. He has won races but let's face it, he does not have the most stellar driving record when compared to other drivers. A lot of his popularity is derived from the Earnhardt name which is still selling tickets today. That being said, perhaps Danica's popularity comes in part from her gender. However on the flip side she was paid a compliment by current Sprint Cup Series owner and driver Tony Stewart who stated he believes she has the talent to make it in NASCAR.

Patrick's bourgeoning NASCAR career is fueling the feminist movement in many ways. She is going against female stereotypes and is a role model for women everywhere. She is breaking into a sport that has long been known as a "boys club" and is becoming successful doing it. She strikes a balance between contending with the male drivers and being comfortable enough to show her feminine side without worrying that she won't be taken seriously in the garage.

Patrick brings a breath of fresh air to the female gender. She is showing women they have choices and can have successful careers in male dominated fields while not becoming one of the boys. Perhaps by watching her career continue to grow, more women will follow their dreams to break into non-traditional female roles.

For more articles like this please visit: http://www.ladieslovespeed.com/

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F1 Team Orders: Are They Back or Even Still Around?

Go back to Austria in 2001, final lap of the race as Jean Tadt tells Rubens Barrichello to let Schumacher pass. Barrichello was instructed by Ferrari to cede 2nd position to Schumacher to gain points to defend the driver's title. Barrichello did not comply until the last corner of the last lap, stirring up many emotions after the race. A similar situation happened at the next year's race resulting in a huge fine for the Ferrari team in addition to the FIA banning "team orders" period. 10 years have gone by and most outspoken persons against team orders, Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner, has done a reversal on the matter. In an interview with Speed TV in 2010 Horner said, "You can't manipulate the outcome of a race by introducing team orders and there does need to be a clarification on it. And rightly or wrongly Red Bull have allowed our driver's to race." However during the British Grand Prix in 2011, none other than Red Bull asked Mark Weber, who was making a move on championship leading driver, Sebastian Vettel, to maintain the gap with Vettel and not attempt a point losing pass.

So it seems team orders are back. And yes, they are allowed this season. Mark Weber did note that team orders have always been a part of how Red Bull strategize their movements. Nico Rosberg stated after the German Grand Prix. "In the end we are an employee of the team. So the team has the priority, that's the way it is in racing. We musn't forget that. We are paid by the team to represent the team and to do well for the team. That pretty much summarizes it up doesn't it. But of course we drivers', the ego side of us always comes out and we want to race; we want to win races, but that's always a compromise and you have to find out for yourself on how best to handle it."

Horner backed his statements by saying he did not want a repeat of Turkey in the 2010 season, when Weber and Vettel eliminated each other out of the race. He also noted that with three laps remaining he wanted the team to bank the points. As a competitive driver, the team mentality has to be a difficult mental block. These drivers are born competitors at heart and team orders or not, all desire to win and deserve to win if they are in the position. In the mortal words of the late, great, Ayrton Senna: "By being a race driver, means you are racing with other people, and if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver, because we are competing, we are competing to win, and the main motivation to all of us is to compete for victory, not to come second, third, fourth... I race to win, as long as I feel it is possible." Indeed.

Douglas Scheirer is an editor and co-founder of F1UnitedStatesGP.com, a site dedicated to the United States Grand Prix held in Austin, TX. In addition to F1 Austin Info, the site provides access to United States Grand Prix Tickets, United States Grand Prix Hotels & accommodations.

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