Well it's that time of year again when my company puts on a karting event and was wondering is anyone could give me some go fast tips and and other relevant information?

Many thanks

Phil Price

 

Keep it tidy, don't get the back-end out. Don't let the engine bog down. Watch the employees to help work out the best racing line. Have fun!

 

normally the mechanics / helpers are warming the karts up at the start, get there early and watch as they will know the best and consistent line around the track.

remember the fastest line isnt always diving directly into the apex of the corner early on some corners you will be better off hanging out wide and cutting as late as you think possible in so not to scrub speed off with the engine bogging down.

if its an endurance race do not accelerate and brake at the same time as you will get serious brake fade. if its sprints with a swap over then brake and wot is a plus as long as you dont get caught and thrown off the circuit.

 

Crawl up to the start line of a sprint race using as little throttle as possible. If you are able to crawl round from the pits without accelerating or braking. Literally just tickle your way round. That way you save the clutch for the start. Sounds daft i know but it works.....

 

Drive as smoothly as possible to keep your momentum up

 

When chasing an opponent down, just put on the pressure for a lap if you can't see a way past them right away. They will most likely push on too hard and make a mistake, which you are just waiting to capitalise on.

Just don't get caught up when they lose it.

 

Not recommended at all. I worked for 3 years from age 15 as a mechanic for a commercial kart track. I held the lap record for a long time, I was small and fast If youre caught doing it youll get warned once, disqualified next. Besides, brake fade isnt the problem, youll overheat the clutch and itll slip and maybe fail. They do it all the time.

 

1. Loose as much weight as possible
2. Use understeer not oversteer to corner - as soon as the back comes out - you have lost all your speed!

 

Smooth, neat and clean

 

Nevermind the other people on the track, cut them up and go flat out!!!!

 

Go and do a few practice laps when they have an open practice day...ask if they are going to change the track for the event (sometimes they do that to stop this).

Keep scrub to a minimum, slow in, fast out for bends that lead onto long straights. Quick flicks of the backend may be needed on very tight tracks, but only if you have a bend straight after the previous (otherwise you'll get bogged down).

Balance the throttle on long fast bends, and try and keep tight to the inside for the majority of the bend.

Watch out for the pros, they'll rather shove you into the tyres than get overtaken. Follow their race line and perfect the line to suit you and your kart so you can use it to your advantage, then either pressure him to make a mistake, wait for him to get caught in traffic, or try an overtake on a point of the track where you know your faster than him, keep a little distance and slingshot past (for example, get a good exit on a long straight by entering the previous bend a little slower)

Depending on how good the company is at setting up their karts; bear in mind there may be some right duff karts out there. But don't swap karts unless you find it really hard to keep up with others (and you know it's not yourself)- as the one you get afterwards could be worse!

A good place will have all karts setup the same, but some don't do it that well, so either you need to adapt your driving to suit or swap. I've lost a few events due to crap karts, bloody irritating when your stuck with the thing for a whole endurance race.

Blimey...I could write a book on all this!!

 

Hi,
Slightly off topic I know..... but used to own a 125cc gearbox kart (6 speed). Man was that quick. Took it down to the local drags to kick some Sunny/Pulsar GtiR butt. What a machine........ if any of you ever get chance to drive one of these beasts be warned - no car will ever seem fast again - and I'm talking in a straight line never mind the bends where absolutely nothing can touch it. (sigh).

Cheers
Antony

 

lean the 'wrong' way... eg opposite to a motorbike

o.

 

Never happens. I've been to loads of karting places and never seen karts set up identially.

Another tip is to life your **** slightly off the seat going into a corner.

Steve

 

Simple way around that one.Take your own kart and kick everyones ***.

 

Don't forget the go faster movement.
It starts with the hips and spreads to the shoulders - a sort of back and forth motion.
You'll see all the "experts" trying it down the straights