Original; see modified release: Go-Karts Recalled by 6 Manufacturers

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

This is the original of a document that has been modified. To see the modified version, click here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Ken Giles
May 6, 1997	(301) 504-7052
Release # 97-118

CPSC Announces Recall of Additional Go-Karts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), six go-kart manufacturers are recalling for repair over 122,000 go-karts with exposed rear axles. Riders can be seriously injured or killed if their long hair or clothing becomes entangled in the rotating rear axle.

Since July 1996, CPSC and two manufacturers have announced recalls for repair of about 305,000 go-karts with this entanglement hazard. The manufacturers participating in this recall have identified other go-karts with this same hazard.

Since July 1996, CPSC has received reports of one child who died and two children who were seriously injured in go-karts. The go-karts involved in these incidents were recalled by another manufacturer last year. CPSC has also received one report in which an adult alleges that she was seriously injured when her hair became entangled in the rotating rear axle of a T&D Metal Products go-kart.

The one- and two-seat go-karts are powered by gasoline engines. All go-karts with an exposed rear axle are involved in this repair program. To determine whether the rear axle is exposed, consumers should stand behind the go-kart, with the engine off, and push the go-kart by hand. If consumers can see the axle connecting the two rear wheels rotating, the go-kart is subject to this repair program.

The manufacturers listed below are participating in this repair program to improve the safety of these go-karts.

Manufacturer	Brand Labels	Model and Serial Numbers	Quantity

Avenger Inc. 400 Horseshoe Lake Rd. Monroe, LA 71203 Collect (318) 322-2007	Yellow Jacket	Model Number: SST	83

Bob's Kart Shop Route 2, Box 30 Sheridan, IL 60551 Collect (815) 496-2820	Grasshoper, T.C. Go-Fur, and Ground Hawg		7,000

Kartco Inc. P.O. Box 110 Sebastopol, MS 39359 (800) 621-2789	Kartco and Roadboss	Model Number: 445	750

Ken-Bar Mfg. P.O. Box 569 Cornelia, GA (800) 241-3557	Streaker, Sand Dog, Salute to America, Scorpion, and Mud Hog	Model Numbers: DD7, DD8, D680, D710, D720, D780, D790, D810, D840, S465, SC7, STA8, STA9, and SD11 Serial Numbers: 001 to 100000	75,000

Minat Inc. 115 East Front St. Annawan, IL 61234 (800) 350-8739	U.S. Eagle Series	Model Numbers: Eagle I and Eagle II	200

T&D Metal Products P.O. Box 73 Watseka, IL 60970 (888) 465-2780	Klipper Karts, ProKart, Pathwinder, Kool Kart Campout, and Bird Mfg	Serial Numbers: EM001 to EM029 and 0030 to 39126	39,000

Outdoor power equipment, specialty, lawn and garden, hardware, furniture, motorcycle, and department stores, as well as Harbor Freight mail order catalogue, sold these go-karts nationwide from August 1976 through March 1997 for about $500 to $2,500.

Consumers should stop using these go-karts immediately and contact the appropriate manufacturer to receive a free axle guard kit with instructions for easy installation. If consumers are not sure of the go-kart manufacturer or have questions about this recall, they should call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.