Both Crazy Carts are basically electric go-karts with one unique feature: a side-mounted lever that allows the rear wheels to drift out in a fun, controllable manner. It's like being Ken Block, just on your kitchen floor.
Manufactured by Razor — they of roller blade-wheeled scooter fame — the little Crazy Cart ($350) found fame after its inventor, Ali Kermani, filmed this pint-sized tribute to Ken Block's Gymkhana films, called "Ken Box." That's Ali driving and doing battle with the gorilla.
A central wheel sits directly under the steering wheel, driven by a 500W electric motor via a chain. Normally, the rider's weight is carried by castor wheels at the rear, but a second set of those mounted on the front corners are there to catch the weight if the machine starts to tip forwards. Like the rear wheels on your car, these castors are locked straight normally, but can be uncoupled and allowed to spin freely by the Drift Bar.
On the $800 Crazy Cart XL, all these components are beefed up. The motor increases in power from 300 to 500 Watts, battery capacity is increased and the ergonomics become more spacious.
Sitting with your butt just inches from the ground, 17mph feels fast.
That all adds up to a riding experience that's fun, fast and intuitive from your first ride and something that's much more than just a silly toy.
"I want this to be a platform," Ali explains. "Something people can use to learn skills on."
He compares it to a skateboard in that sense, a simple device that can do much more than its four wheels and wooden platform would suggest. I think it'd be a great way for new and experienced drivers alike to learn and evolve their car control. That they can do that in a safe, easily accessible way is even more compelling.
source: gizmodo.com by Wes Siler