Barstool Racing

Barstool racing is a sport whose beginnings appear to have been so low-key that little exact details on its formation exist. Information that is available points to early beginnings in various places around the world, with confirmed activity in Australia in the 1970's. In the United States, a company named Big Chicken Barstools was born in Arizona over 15 years ago. Motorized barstools are used these days for many applications including racing, towing and motoring around the pits.

Types of Barstool Racers

Barstool karts generally fall into three major categories: gas powered, electric and show karts. As you might guess, gas powered karts represent probably the fastest class of barstool karts, and are common in most spheres of racing including oval track, road courses, and drag racing. Many of the gas engine models are powered by Briggs engines, and some are capable of speeds up to 70 MPH.

Electric barstool karts can be run in the same venues as gas karts, but also have the advantage of being able to run indoors. Other advantages to electric karts are that they are usually less expensive to own and operate, they produce dramatically less noise (to bother neighbors or anyone else in the area), and generally have fast acceleration. Most often the spec calls out a 12 volt battery from which to draw power.

Show barstools are karts that are more specifically designed to look at than compete in racing, but can be used in racing. In this area of barstooling, price is not an object. Chrome, polish and shine are three words most likely to describe these stools. Nothing is "out of bounds" in creating these beautiful monsters! Why would someone use the term monster in describing these creations? Do the words nitro-powered, Harley-Davidson engine powered, oversize tired or twin-barstool seated mean anything to you? It seems the only thing holding people back in this area is their own imagination!