7/24/2006

Go Kart Accident



I've been holding on to this video for a few years--I just recently got the motivation to transfer it to the computer. Anyhow, my dad built this go kart using scrap parts from around his shop and from some motorcycles that had been donated to him.

Like all of my dad's hand-built projects, the go kart is superbly-built. The motor on the kart is a Kawasaki 750 GZP, the frame made from scrap tube-chasis framing, the seat is from a Subaru Brat, the axels were custom made, and the brakes are from a Kawasaki bike. The kart screamed! Believe it or not, after the accident the only thing that needed to be replaced were the front steering linkages.

Since the ending gets cut-off and all you can hear is the noise of a wreck, the guy who was riding the go kart ended up hitting a curb which launched him and the go kart into a wire fence. When they ran to help him, the guy was found in severe pain laying on the other side of the fence in the grass and the go kart was wrapped in the fence. The guy riding was rushed to the hospital and ended up dislocating his shoulder, broke his knee and wrist, and had minor bumps and bruises all over. Luckily, he avoided head, neck, and back injury. He still laughs about the accident to this day.

After the accident my dad ended up putting a harness on it and requires anyone who dares to ride it to put on a helmet. The kart hasn't run in about a year--after showing this video to anyone who inquires about riding it, they change their mind.

No comments: