No, I can't think of a place where I saw this exact set up used in this manner, but I come up with stuff like this all the time - it's my job as an ME :-)
I may have to build one of these now - I am thinking of building a couple go-carts at some point - like this:
http://www.ridgerunner.biz/
I'll watch this thread - let me know if you do use the idea.
Keith