Editing Superkart (section)

{{Short description|Racing series that uses karts on long circuits}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
[[File:Superkart.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|A Formula E/Division  250 cc superkart at [[Castle Combe Circuit|Castle Combe]], England]]
'''Superkart''' is a form of [[motorsport]] [[road racing]] that uses karts on long circuits. The bigger difference between a superkart and most other forms of kart is that they have full aerodynamic bodykits, as well as having a longer wheel base than sprint chassis, and are generally raced on car circuits over 1,500&nbsp;metres in length. The power unit, most often but not exclusively [[Two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] 250 cc engines, can be specially designed kart engines or production motorcycle engines with either five- or six-speed [[sequential gearbox|sequential manual gearboxes]]. Owing to their high top speed and superb cornering ability, a superkart's [[aerodynamic]] [[Car body style|bodywork]] includes a front [[Motorcycle fairing|fairing]], larger [[sidepod]]s, and a [[Spoiler (automotive)|rear wing]]. They use either {{convert|5|or|6|in|mm|adj=mid|-diameter|order=flip}} [[tire]]s and [[wheel]]s and most often race on full size auto-racing circuits.

The 250 cc superkarts can set faster lap times than much more expensive and technically advanced racing machines.<ref name="magny">[https://archive.today/20130128084825/http://www.mediasuperkart.com/en/news-actualite-313-french-cup-superkart-a-magny-cours.html Magny Cours F1 - Superkarts fire the crowds imagination !!] - 6 July 2007</ref><ref name="roadandtrack">[http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/motorsports/superkarts-super-speeds Superkarts — Super Speeds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106122037/http://www.roadandtrack.com/racing/motorsports/superkarts-super-speeds |date=6 November 2011 }} - ''Road & Track'', November 2005</ref> Some British and Australian classes also include 125 cc gearbox karts. Superkarts race on "long circuits"<ref>[http://www.cikfia.com/fileadmin/content/REGULATIONS/Circuits/Circuits%20Regulations/2011%20Circuit%20Regulations%20Parts%201%20&%202.pdf CIK-FIA 2011 circuit regulation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626114909/http://www.cikfia.com/fileadmin/content/REGULATIONS/Circuits/Circuits%20Regulations/2011%20Circuit%20Regulations%20Parts%201%20%26%202.pdf |date=26 June 2011 }} - [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]], Part 1: Article 6</ref> (e.g. [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], [[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca|Laguna Seca]], [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|Magny-Cours]]). In the UK they also race on "short circuits"<ref>[http://www.karting.co.uk/tstp/RaceResults.asp?RS=1252&RE=10001&RC=18092 Race results & reports for all gearbox classes - 8 July 2007 - Kimbolton]</ref> (e.g. [[Kimbolton Kart Club|Kimbolton]]); "short circuits" are under 1,500&nbsp;metres in length.<ref>[http://www.emamc.org.uk/archive/2007/Blue_Book/338-356_Sec_N_-_Karting.pdf Specific Regulations for Karting] - [[Motor Sports Association]] (MSA), Circuits</ref> Superkarts are raced worldwide. There is a multi-event [[FIA|CIK-FIA]] European Superkart Championship (for 250 cc karts only),<ref>[http://www.cikfia.com/fileadmin/content/REGULATIONS/Technical/Technical%20Regulations/2011%20Technical%20Regulations.pdf CIK-FIA 2011 Karting Technical Regulations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928143658/http://www.cikfia.com/fileadmin/content/REGULATIONS/Technical/Technical%20Regulations/2011%20Technical%20Regulations.pdf |date=28 September 2011 }} - [[Commission Internationale de Karting|CIK-FIA]], Article 9: Specific Regulations for Superkart</ref> and there has in the past been a world championship, which was last run in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mondial-karting.com/250cc/2004/champions.htm |title=CIK-FIA European & World Champions in Superkart 250cc |website=www.mondial-karting.com |access-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909082405/http://www.mondial-karting.com/250cc/2004/champions.htm |archive-date=9 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>