Any karting fans out there? Tried it last week & had a superb time. 250cc karts, 55mph top speed. Much hader work than I expected (couldn't believe how light and lifeless my cars steering felt afterwards!) but brilliant close racing. If you haven't yet, try it!

Any tips on technique etc?

Have recently got into it myself. Went on 190cc karts and as you say it is hard work, especially on a tight indoor track. After 15 mins I was sweating badly. Been about 10 times since and the best advice I can offer is to brake harsh before the slow tight turns and keep the revs up as you go through the corner. Your worst enemy on most public karts is the lack of pickup as you come out of the corners.

Also follow someone fast and watch how important the racing line is and how to shift your body weight to provide extra traction on the outer tyres. A good set of karting gloves is the first thing you should buy.

I know what you mean about the pick up. I was also enjoying the oversteer a bit too much to get close to the best lap times! Much respect to Schumi etc. - think I understand a bit more of how knackering a full GP must be.

Gotta go again soon. Is £35 - £40 about normal?

Yes karting is great fun.

I have only ever done 4 grand prix on indoor track and on Monday was my first time on the podium, 2nd place. I was well chuffed.
There was only 2 women racing out of 21.

Tracey

Hey, great stuff Tracey. Silver trophy on the mantlepiece?! I was fortunate enough to manage 3rd out of 32 and was well pleased with that. Grinning for ages afterwards!

Baja,

when coming out of corners... try and jump the back wheels of the floor.... this will let the wheels spin and you will land with more torque on tap! Race line is definately important but you cant do it when you catch traffic....
When in traffic always fly wide so you get a good exit! You will pass so many others doing this as long as your patient!

Enjoy! ;) :D

Baja,

Yes I was grinning for ages when getting home too, the adrenilin was rushing for hours. I got a medal that goes round the neck.

Plantie,

If you run wide in traffic, that gives others behind you, opportunity to cut in, doesn't it?

Tracey

2nd, i'm impressed Tracey :). If you like Karting find a track that hires 2 strokes, they really do fly. There was a series called club 100 that you just turned up and raced on outdoor tracks in there karts. About 60 people i think. Did it once at buckmore in Kent "spun out while leading the B final DOH :(" well it was pouring down.

Thankyou, I was impressed with myself too. Were you impressed coz I'm a woman?

I have yet to do an outdoor track endurance. I was suppose to be doing my first one last November but my youngest was taken into hospital, so had to stay in with him.

Next race booked - Newport, early next month. :D It's indoors again but is there much difference in the handling between indoor & outdoor tracks?

If you think indoors is fun....why don't you sign-up for the Scoobynet Karting Part III.....:)

390cc karts top speed 80mph......


Jeff

Also the trick to going round corners fast is to get the insider tyre in the air.....Karts have no diff so they don't corner very well so you need to 3 wheel them round tight corners.

Tracey why don't you see it LOTUS wants to run a ladies team again at Rye House ?


Jeff

Baja,

Which one in Newport are you going to and when? We might see if we can make it over or is it a private event?

Jeff,

I don't think we will be able to make Rye's House one. It would have been a nice idea though. I will get to do an outdoor circuit one day.

Cheers.

Tracey

Tracey

Once you've raced Karts outdoors you will not want to go indoors again.....:D

It's 7 May at www.supakart.co.uk, the Super-Prix. A mate's booked it with a group from his company so not sure if they've made it a private event.

Got some gloves now so won't have to wear the provided 'one size fits nobody' :)

Baja,

It is booked as a private event, otherwise I might have come over and gatecrashed.

It is very wise to have your own gloves, you can never get a good enough grip with ones that don't fit. It would be also good if you could get your own helmet, just a cheap one will do. Putting the same one on that everybody else uses gets all their sweat on you.


Jeff,

There is some truth in that, however indoor circuits are good in the wrinter when it's p***ing down. I don't fancy getting soaked.
We went to Clay Pigeon once and it did nothing but P*** down all day, luckily I was only spectating, so stayed in the little hut all day.

Tracey


[Edited by Tracey - 4/24/2002 6:54:59 PM]

Baja,

Good Luck for tomorrow, let us know how you get on.

We have been over there today. Hubby came first as usual, then his mate second, and our other mate got 3rd. I came 5th today, but I had some good races. Really enjoyed myself.

Cheers.

Tracey

Cheers Tracey! Love the track - wasn't sure what to make of the banking at first but it's actually a very fun corner! I did think that the karts were a bit variable in quality. Some seemed noticeably quicker (good excuse anyhow!).

Finished 3rd after the heats so was expecting to have a good grid slot for the semi's but we instead went straight to a 20 lap final. Didn't start well :( and ended up 5th too. Had a great night though. :D

What sort of lap times were you guys doing? We were struggling to get under 29s but hear that the record is about 26s!!! Much to learn...

Baja,

Glad you had a good night. The karts are very variable, I don't care what the marshall's over there say. It is very noticeable.

I have done a 29.25 lap, but my husband says I have done faster. My husband does lap times of high 27's.

I thought the lap record was a very low 27, held by one of the kids from Junior Club, he is very quick.

I haven't done a grand final of 20 laps, doing the semi's and then 12 lap final is bad enough, I am always looking for the chequed flag to come out.

Have you got kids? If so they are doing a Father day special endurance. We are thinking of booking an exclusive soon for all our friends. Would you be interested in coming?

Cheers.

Tracey

Tracey

Sure, always up for a race & learn from some seasoned pro's! Let me know when you get something sorted.

We went again today, I actually came 1st, I am chuffed to bits. I even got to spray the champayne after someone had to get the lid off for me (my wrists just couldn't twist the top off), what a great day. I did a 28.65 today but in the final I was flying around but forgot the get my lap time before they wiped it off.

Cheers.

Tracey