58 replies to this topic

[tim]

First off, apologies if this is in the wrong forum but it's motorsport related (after a fashion) and it's likely to get more widely read here.

Anyway, the IT director of the place where I work has decided to take the entire I.T. department out for a night of karting at this karting track.

I've put my name down (it's free, after all) but I've never been karting before in my life, so I'm bound to be crap. Can anyone give me any tips on how I can go about not making a total ass of myself (other than by not going)?

[StickShift]

If you are leading the boss, remember to pull over at the finish line for him!;)

[schuy]

Seems a nice place.

I am head of customer relations at an indoor karting-track in Israel.
Gokarting

You should read Hebrew to read it though!

Anyways, some tips!

Start off slowly and smoothly.
I teach drivers on racing courses, and the best learners would usually be those who start off slowly, and then progress.
So do that!

And 2nd, you know racing since you're a racing fan.
Make sure you enter a corner from the wide line.
And what else, you can accelerate very early, you don't have to wait for mid-corner or later than that.

Let me know how it went!

Liran.

[Viktor]

This my help, OT - Karting tips

/Viktor

[daSilvium]

Originally posted by tim
First off, apologies if this is in the wrong forum but it's motorsport related (after a fashion) and it's likely to get more widely read here.

Anyway, the IT director of the place where I work has decided to take the entire I.T. department out for a night of karting at this karting track.

I've put my name down (it's free, after all) but I've never been karting before in my life, so I'm bound to be crap. Can anyone give me any tips on how I can go about not making a total ass of myself (other than by not going)?

Tim

1) Before getting out on track, watch some other quick drivers (the marshals may be driving the karts to check them out) and note the racing line they're taking. You can learn a lot by watching quick people. Keep it smooth, use full width of circuit where you can. Stay flat-hard on power as much as possible (probably most of the circuit - depends how twisty it is. Some indoor circuits are stupidly twisty which is crap).

2) Remember the kart is wider at the back than the front, so if you corner with the front 1mm off the tyre-wall, then more than likely the back of your kart will clip the wall and that will spin you round and leave you sitting there stationary.

3) Faster you drive, the hotter the tyres will get and the more grip you'll have. If you go at half-speed (i know you won't...) the the tyres will never get hot and you'll never have max. grip.

4) If you're sliding the kart around, it is SLOW. Indoor karts have (likely) 200cc 4-stroke honda engines with only about 6bhp max., and you must keep it smooth and neat as sliding just scrubs off speed and it will take (what seems like) ages to pick up speed again. You want to be just on the point of sliding all the time. obviously it takes some practice.

5) In a race, LOOK AHEAD for other karts colliding / spinning / blocking the track. Let others create the mayhem and take themselves off and then you calmly cruise past. Keep calm and don't get sucked into some do or die manoeuvre by somebody who's ego is larger than his talent.

6) Karts have braking on the REAR AXLE only. So.... get your hard braking done in a straight line and then off the brake before you turn in. If you turn in, whilst still hard on the brake, you'll just spin unless you're experienced and can modulate the brake up to the apex. It's quite easy to lock up the rear axle, especially on cold tyres. If you find yourself flying up to a corner with the rear axle locked, then come OFF the brakes before turning in as that's the only chance.

7 if you're doing standing starts, you cna pass a lot of people just by being very quick off the brake and on full-power. Amazing how 2 or 3 people are always half-asleep and miss the start by 0.5 second which means they are left behind.

7) Enjoy it.


ps. you'll find it more tiring than you'd think.


cheers

[FNG]

Well if it's like most Karting tracks then they are probably really low on power in which case 100% throttle 0% brake. You will be really surpirsed how fast they can take a corner. Rememebr this is the only time you can go balls out so have fun.

[POLAR]

4 or 2 stroke? Anyway, the 2 stroke is waaaaaay faster.

Dont eat too much right before jumping in or you wil get kart sick in no time.

Make yourself confortable in the kart, that is, do not let your legs getting to cramped, or you will not last.

Let the tires get to temperature, go easy on the first laps.

Be sure that your helmet is really tight, because you dont want it to get loose when on track.

If you are slow, dont get on the way, that can be very dangerous.

If you are slow dont be frustated, its your first time, if you are fast, dont brag about it.

Have fun. Make friends.

Congratulations, you will be a better person afterwards.

Polar

[daSilvium]

Originally posted by POLAR
4 or 2 stroke? Anyway, the 2 stroke is waaaaaay faster.

Polar

definitely won't be 2-stroke on an indoor public "rental" circuit.
far too quick for novice + big pollution, + oiling plugs + too noisy etc.etc.


Honda GX220. 5.5bhp.

odds on.

[SeanValen]

"Drive fast, don't crash."


Quoting Michael Schumacher at the start of the Sepang weekend, on his return to f1 after British GP accident, Malaysia 1999, follow his advice, and as he was a second faster then the rest on his return, I predict similar success for you, McLaren's Tim.

[jimm]

Originally posted by daSilvium



4) If you're sliding the kart around, it is SLOW. Indoor karts have (likely) 200cc 4-stroke honda engines with only about 6bhp max., and you must keep it smooth and neat as sliding just scrubs off speed and it will take (what seems like) ages to pick up speed again. You want to be just on the point of sliding all the time. obviously it takes some practice.



cheers

I disagee with this. When I first started Karting I ran 5HP Briggs. You can slide w/ out slowing the engine down too much. As a matter of fact, a moderate amount of looseness is faster than a car that is stuck like glue to the track. Because 4 cycles use a clutch, I used to only back off to about 2/3 throttle at all but the slowest corners which induces a little oversteer that you can use to pivot the Kart without loosing revs.

[daSilvium]

Originally posted by jimm


I disagee with this. When I first started Karting I ran 5HP Briggs. You can slide w/ out slowing the engine down too much. As a matter of fact, a moderate amount of looseness is faster than a car that is stuck like glue to the track. Because 4 cycles use a clutch, I used to only back off to about 2/3 throttle at all but the slowest corners which induces a little oversteer that you can use to pivot the Kart without loosing revs.

OK perhaps it was too much of a generalisation.
It really depends on how grippy the surface of the track is. The grippier it is, (and UK indoor circuits track surface does vary a lot fom pure laid tarmac to smooth and shiny) then the less you should slide it.
If it IS very slidey (= yuk, not proper karting IMHO), then yes you will probably have to drive the kart a bit more like a rally car, and oversteer will be part of the game.

For a novice, i would not advise them to slide an indoor kart at all as the fine control they need to stop it from between getting it *too* sideways and scrubbing off speed, they just won't have.

But i doubt this circuit will be super-slidey like that, having seen the web-site.
All indoor UK circuits i've driven at (about 9 indoor or so probably, some of them 30 or 40 times) have enough grip so that sliding tends to just scrub off speed and slow the kart down.

I do agree that in certain tight corners, a small amount of oversteer, usually induced by staying on the brake medium-hard for a fraction of a second as you turn-in, can help but it's a fine line and not really for the inexperienced i wouldn't have said.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Ive been there!!!

Thats where we did the BTCC charity thingy


The karts are *crap*, at least by my standards. Actually fairly difficult to drive. The tires are rock hard and the surface is very smooth and cool. Early on before the karts have been really run in the things will understeer like a dumptruck in a river.So you kinda gotta take it easy until the front end starts to work.

http://ross.stonefeld.com/track.gif

crap drawing of the track, its like a minibrands

The start is in the pitlane, its a staggered slightly curved start that dumps you onto the straight. At the start since its direct drive with almost *no* power, jump the start. When you get on the gas it hesitates then it seems to grab the gear and accelerate very slowly, then come up to speed. So learn to time when the red lights go on and the green goes out so when the green goes out your kart starts to move. Ie you're on the gas well before the lights go out so when they're out you're actaully moving. Maybe hop up and down a little bit to unload the rear end and help the initial acceleration.

Turn 1 is an *almost* flat 180 sweeper, but you might slide wide or get oversteer so be easy. The exit dumps you right into the brake zone for the hairpin so be careful not to brush the wall (i did it and spun out!). You pretty much grenade the brakes and flick the wheel at the same time and then immediately go to gas because of the acceleration lag. Same thing in the second hairpin. The exit of the first dumps you immediately into hte second one. When we were there the kind of rubber guard all around the walls had a gap between it and the wall itself and we eventually compressed it in to make the corner tighter.

When you exit you have a little bit of a run to the next set of double hairpins. These are more open though so you carry a lot more speed in. STOMP the brakes at the last minute and absolutely jerk it into the corner. mid corner you'll feel like you're not going to make it but since its realy two corners in one you want to use the firs thalf to slow it down so really press the entry speed and then in the switchback between the left-hand hairpin and the right-hand thats when you're off the brakes and turning again, then immediately back to gas. Let it arc out a bit towards the pit entrance so you're not scrubbing and then tuck it back in for the curve onto the mainstraight.

If someone is right in front of you, and you're tall enough, you can even reach out and grab the back of hteir kart and let them pull you along

Also since htere's no suspension or differential, lean to the *outside* in the corners. That upets the rear of the kart and gives it a bit of oversteer, which is good since the thing barel ywants to turn on its own. The general idea is to try to upset the kart as much as possible and try to get it skidding around.

[The Voice of Reason]

I can't add much to what has been posted above except:

Don't worry too much about being cautious on the first lap. Unless you are completely crazy the kart will go round corners much faster than your head is ready to go.

Leave your visor open a little if you can as it may steam up.

If there is time before the event go to the gym and do some rowing and hand-strength excercises. After 30 mins my arms (hands in particular) were wasted!

Get into the kart from the opposite side to the exhaust, which will be very hot.

If you've been watching racing for a long time you'll probably find it a lot easier than you are expecting so don't worry and remember to enjoy yourself.

Let us know how you get on. The Altlas BB expects nothing less than total victory!!!

[jimm]

Originally posted by daSilvium


OK perhaps it was too much of a generalisation.
It really depends on how grippy the surface of the track is. The grippier it is, (and UK indoor circuits track surface does vary a lot fom pure laid tarmac to smooth and shiny) then the less you should slide it.
If it IS very slidey (= yuk, not proper karting IMHO), then yes you will probably have to drive the kart a bit more like a rally car, and oversteer will be part of the game.

For a novice, i would not advise them to slide an indoor kart at all as the fine control they need to stop it from between getting it *too* sideways and scrubbing off speed, they just won't have.

But i doubt this circuit will be super-slidey like that, having seen the web-site.
All indoor UK circuits i've driven at (about 9 indoor or so probably, some of them 30 or 40 times) have enough grip so that sliding tends to just scrub off speed and slow the kart down.

I do agree that in certain tight corners, a small amount of oversteer, usually induced by staying on the brake medium-hard for a fraction of a second as you turn-in, can help but it's a fine line and not really for the inexperienced i wouldn't have said.

In my experience, you have to take grip out (slide a little more) if the track is grippy and put it in if it is very slick.

OK a little war story to illustrate the point. I went to a 4 cycle National event in Barnsville Ga one year. The conventinal wisdom was that you wanted the softer tire. In the morning it was cool (around 45-50 degrees) and in the afternoon it was quite warm (75+). Like everyone else I choose the softer tire. One of my buddies that ran with my local club ran a harder tire with a bigger rim and smoked us all in the race when our softer tires had too much grip and killed our exit speed after it got warmer in the afternoon (when the race was).

With little power you can loose as more time from slow exit speed from binding as from sliding.

[rapido]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
If someone is right in front of you, and you're tall enough, you can even reach out and grab the back of hteir kart and let them pull you along

you've got to be kidding.

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld
Also since htere's no suspension or differential, lean to the *outside* in the corners. That upets the rear of the kart and gives it a bit of oversteer, which is good since the thing barel ywants to turn on its own. The general idea is to try to upset the kart as much as possible and try to get it skidding around.

WTF? :

leaning to the outside will generate more rear grip, not less, and it's hardly appropriate for a first-time karter to try using body english to fine-tune the handling characteristics of his rental kart. the reason experienced racers do this in certain corners is either to increase the grip to the outside rear, to unload the inside wheel and "unbind" the chassis, or both.

I've been racing karts for 10 years, the last five in the 125cc gearbox class, and my suggestion would be to keep your body in a relaxed position but don't lean either in or out -- it will only distract you from more important things like finding the proper racing line, and hitting your braking and turn-in points precisely.

if it's a clutch kart (which ross mistakenly calls a "direct drive") then you should never come completely off the throttle when you brake for turns, or you will lose revs and never be able to keep your momentum up.

slide the rear of the kart as little as possible -- optimally, on a low-grip rental-kart type of track, the kart should be in a slight 4-wheel drift through all the corners. this is quite difficult to achieve (usually requiring some perfectly timed body english) but is definitely the quick way around.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Originally posted by rapido
you've got to be kidding.

This isnt pro karting. Its crappy little indoor almost kids karting. It worked.

[kober]

Sliding kart is slowing much more than just using the brake, so you can leave the braking into the last moment and then send the kart into a slide - often just quick throttle release and short swing of steering wheel helps. And remember that when doing this, you have to steer into a virtual point before real apex, the slide will bring you there. And by the apex have everything straight.
But the key on rental karts is to have as high mid-corner speed as possible (due to low-power karts). When accelerating from low speeds some hopping in the seat can help you (still don't know what is the real reason - is it because you make the tail lighter and that allows the engine to rev higher and stay there because of the centrifugal clutch? Don't know, but it helps a bit.)

[POLAR]

Hey you guys, check this out:

Kart Track near São Paulo

POlar

[tim]

Hmm, well I'd rather concentrate on being able to get around without flying off into the tyre barriers than try out stuff like leaning into corners. My plan is to start off slowly [though not too slowly(!)] and then push more and more as I get to grips with the thing. As and when I get more comfortable, I'll start playing around leaning into corners and throwing the kart around more. I don't see the value in trying out "proper" things until I grasp the basics. No doubt some other people will just fly off into the distance, get it all totally wrong and spin off at the first corner .

The event we're doing is called "Le Mans Team Endurance":

The ideal team building event for the larger company. After the driver briefing, teams of between 3 and 6 drivers per team will drive in the 30 minute practice session to determine the grid for the main race. Then its all systems go for up to 10 teams to race in a non stop 2 hour race involving driver changes, Re-fuelling, pit stops etc. Quite simply the team who completes the most laps in the allotted time wins the race along with trophies for each driver in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd team.

Hopefully I'll be reasonably au fait with the machine by the end of the 30 minute practice session to able to have a bit of fun in the race (2 hours - ). Presumably they'll want to divide us into teams of the smallest number of people possible allowing as many people on track at one time as they can (which means less waiting around for the others).

Ive been there!!!

Small world, isn't it? Thanks for the track guide and the map, BTW (and what a quality map it was ;) ). Presumably there's bugger all grip? We're not going until 3rd April (a Thursday night), so there's plenty of time to psyche myself up .

Thanks for all the replies thus far. Keep 'em coming!

[tim]

Originally posted by POLAR
Hey you guys, check this out:

Kart Track near São Paulo

POlar

Oooh, nice! Perhaps we could organise an Atlas trip to Brazil to check out the babes on the beach, err... try out that impressive looking kart track.

[POLAR]

Please, bump the boss off!!!!!!

[Formula1_Fan]

Originally posted by tim
First off, apologies if this is in the wrong forum but it's motorsport related (after a fashion) and it's likely to get more widely read here.

Anyway, the IT director of the place where I work has decided to take the entire I.T. department out for a night of karting at this karting track.

I've put my name down (it's free, after all) but I've never been karting before in my life, so I'm bound to be crap. Can anyone give me any tips on how I can go about not making a total ass of myself (other than by not going)?

Don't try to imitate JPM no way... It will be a big disaster for you...

[daSilvium]

Originally posted by tim
Hmm, well I'd rather concentrate on being able to get around without flying off into the tyre barriers than try out stuff like leaning into corners. My plan is to start off slowly [though not too slowly(!)] and then push more and more as I get to grips with the thing. As and when I get more comfortable, I'll start playing around leaning into corners and throwing the kart around more. I don't see the value in trying out "proper" things until I grasp the basics. No doubt some other people will just fly off into the distance, get it all totally wrong and spin off at the first corner .

The event we're doing is called "Le Mans Team Endurance":

Good plan Timbo.
Keep it simple !

Honestly, i've been karting for years and years and while outdoors, certainly in the rain, using your bodyweight (and radically different lines to dry track) does help, indoors is much more mickey-mouse, so just keep out of trouble and be smooth.

If someone wants to do a desparate lunge past, then let them cos they'll probably out-brake themselves and end up behind you.

Endurance race is much more enjoyable IMHO than Sprint as you tend to get less banzai driving (hmm..sometimes) and you can really get the tyres hot and settle into it.

Bit more advice: there's bound to be the odd hot-shot there or at least someone who's done some before, so if someone does fly past you, try to hang on to them as long as possible and follow their lines etc.

You'll defintely wake up over the following day or two thinking "Christ i feel like i've gone 10 rounds with Tyson !". You're grip on the wheel may start to suffer too at the end of your stint. really depends how long a stint you do.
Longest i've done is 1.5 hours non-stop outdoor in a 24hr. Prokart race in Dubai in 95 degrees Fahrenheit. that's pretty tiring and serious dehydration is definitely an issue.

For most people who haven't done it before just 15 or 20 minutes of on-track combat is usually enough to knacker them out.

Have a blast mate - bound to be a riot and plenty of incident to discuss down the pub afterwards !

cheers
Stu "dasilvium"


ps. hope you're not 16stone or anything otherwise you may struggle out of the hairpins......

[The Voice of Reason]

30 mins practice and 2 hours racing? Holy crap, dude. Get yourself down the gym first thing tomorrow morning!

[Formula1_Fan]

Originally posted by The Voice of Reason
30 mins practice and 2 hours racing? Holy crap, dude. Get yourself down the gym first thing tomorrow morning!

Don't make him anxious... Only tell suggest him to follow the driving style of JPM and he will not race so much time. Maybe 10min...

[POLAR]

And always remember...dont eat too much before the run....it will ruin your day...

[Bex37]

Don't try too hard. Concentrate on keeping your steering, braking, throttle inputs and lines smooth. Look out for other people's accidents. Gradually build up your pace. If a 40kg boy is quicker than you, don't get upset, theres probably nothing you can do about it because weight makes a lot of difference.

[Rob G]

Brake is on the left, gas is on the right! No bumping or you will be excused from the track without a refund!

[Garagiste]

Not a driving tip, but if you have one, or have access to one then TAKE YOUR OWN LID!
Unless you enjoy putting your head into a bucket of other people's sweat, that is - the helmets they dole out at these places can be utterly revolting.
Enjoy!

[cozworth]

A simple question to the Karting masters , Where's the clutch situated on a kart with gears.
And why do some karts have front brake disc while some do not ?

[daSilvium]

Originally posted by cozworth
A simple question to the Karting masters , Where's the clutch situated on a kart with gears.
And why do some karts have front brake disc while some do not ?

Between the gearbox and the engine i'd imagine. gearbox karts have sequential 'boxes. Usually 6-speed, and the ones i've driven, you just use a hand-clutch for taking off in 1st, and then after that you don't need to use the clutch, just a v quick throttle life and bang the next gear in.

The faster outdoor karts do have front disc brakes simply because they go over 100mph, (some even up to 160mph etc.) and weigh more, so you just need the braking at those speeds.

But any kart with front brakes is quite a serious bit of kit, and not something that would be available for hire.

[Bart]

Lose weight. The power-to-weight ratio is a huge function of driver weight and you can get outdragged if, like me, you bring your own padding.

[kober]

Originally posted by tim
Hmm, well I'd rather concentrate on being able to get around without flying off into the tyre barriers than try out stuff like leaning into corners. My plan is to start off slowly [though not too slowly(!)] and then push more and more as I get to grips with the thing. As and when I get more comfortable, I'll start playing around leaning into corners and throwing the kart around more. I don't see the value in trying out "proper" things until I grasp the basics. No doubt some other people will just fly off into the distance, get it all totally wrong and spin off at the first corner .

If you think you'll have time to think about it...;)

Originally posted by The Voice of Reason
30 mins practice and 2 hours racing? Holy crap, dude. Get yourself down the gym first thing tomorrow morning!

I did twice 2 hour race in two and I have to say that without training it's quite hard on arms. But for the second time it was quite OK, your muscles get used to steering quite fast.

Originally posted by Garagiste
Not a driving tip, but if you have one, or have access to one then TAKE YOUR OWN LID!
Unless you enjoy putting your head into a bucket of other people's sweat, that is - the helmets they dole out at these places can be utterly revolting.
Enjoy!

Definitely! I've bought my once my friend got some nasty skin-infection which took about six months to cure from borrowed helmet!

[alan_owens]

A lot of sound advice already has been offered. I've been running karts (indoor and outdoor) for a few years here in Canada. I'd suggest that you try to be aware of your arms and legs while driving. I know it sounds stupid, but many people cramp up badly the first time they try karting. It's because they have a death grip on the wheel and they are trying to push the throttle pedal through the floor. Try to relax your hands when possible to avoid the stress that that can bring to your driving.

Smooth is fast. Be precise with the placement of the kart, no oversteer on exits, some oversteer on the entry to very slow corners can sometimes help. Anticpate how quickly the kart turns so that you can time your turn-in points. If it understeers horribly, you're probably entering the turn too fast. Line is everything, when you're not in your kart, watch the others and note the lines that the quick guys are taking.

Passing on these indoor tracks can be difficult. PAsses are generally setup on the exit of a turn. If you can ensure that you get good, early throttle exits, you'll be able to blow by the guy that slides wildly into the corner and is slow as molasses on the exit.

Most importantly, have fun and don't get hurt!

[molive]

Originally posted by POLAR
Hey you guys, check this out:

Kart Track near São Paulo

POlar

You think thats nice? so what about Granja Viana, the mother of all Brazilian kart tracks:



Now THAT is a fun track!

[joachimvanwing]

Originally posted by alan_owens
Try to relax your hands when possible to avoid the stress that that can bring to your driving.
...
Smooth is fast.
...

tip N° 1: focus on the farest point ahead. Look as far a you can. You capture everything in between anyhow (is this decent English?)
tip N° 2: try tot relax, let the chassis roll. Sense the chassis' velocity.
tip N° 3: force yourself to rolling smooth lines, let the chassi do the work
tip N° 4: slip 'n slide when you're on a concrete surface. Asphalt is too grippy not to be smooth through the corners.
tip N° 5: NEVER ever drink Lipton IceTea before a stint. You'll choke in the foam it creates.

Originally posted by POLAR
4 or 2 stroke? Anyway, the 2 stroke is waaaaaay faster.

No it's not. order now! GX200 at +18BHP, €2.000,-

[Bob Nomates]

I would try different things to find your quickest way round.
When I go, I try not to break as little as possible and instead put the car into a slide to get around the corners with the accelator down, use the reistance of the tyres to srub of speed, then turn out of it as soon as possible before you lose it.
When it comes to overtaking always break nice and early and go for the tight inside line, the guy your putting under pressure will always try to go as fast as he can around the corner while blocking you, but will never be able to block you if tight against the kerb.
Kick some arse!

[Bex37]

The following URLs are courtesy of http://www.australiankarter.com/

How about Eastern Creek

or Ipswitch

or the my home track that my father had a hand in designing at Lithgow.
This is the track that James Courtney learnt to drive on at 7 years of age.

[alan_owens]

http://www.mosport.c...cs/devtrack.jpg

This is the Mosport Kart track. It doubles as a driver development training facility with FF2000 cars.
http://www.mosport.com/karthome.htm

I do more of my karting at the Goodwood track, which was where Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, Scott Goodyear and others learnt their craft.

[karlth]

I've done some karting and here are a few valuable tips:

- When you are going full throttle down the back straight use that fact that the kart has no floor
and stick your legs down onto the tarmac and run with it Flinstone style. It should if your timing is
right give you 2-3 mph of extra speed.

- Little known fact but under the steering column there is a red switch: Normal/Turbo. Switch it to
Turbo. Now sometimes the cheaper kart rental places have removed the switch. Ask them about
it and demand that they put the switch back in if it is not there. Threaten violence if needed.

- The karts run on Methanol. Methanol = Vodka so if you can get some into the tank you'll get
more power. Now the race organizers most certainly won't allow you to race with the bottle but
here's the trick: Drink it before the race and then in the furthest hairpin away from the paddock
try to pee into the tank. (If you manage to do that on the back straight you'll gain valuable
seconds).

- Check the regulations and see if driving against traffic is forbidden. If not then you are in luck as
that way normally has more grip.

- Tell the other competitors that you really, really need to win for your grandmother. Then just
before the race begins, start crying. It is small trick I learned from Rubens but it does wonders
when overtaking as the other drivers hardly offer any resistence.

- Show up and drive nude. It'll save extra weight and you'll gain valuable tenths.

First and foremost though enjoy it, I would if I hadn't been banned.

[molive]

Originally posted by karlth
I've done some karting and here are a few valuable tips:

- When you are going full throttle down the back straight use that fact that the kart has no floor
and stick your legs down onto the tarmac and run with it Flinstone style. It should if your timing is
right give you 2-3 mph of extra speed.

- Little known fact but under the steering column there is a red switch: Normal/Turbo. Switch it to
Turbo. Now sometimes the cheaper kart rental places have removed the switch. Ask them about
it and demand that they put the switch back in if it is not there. Threaten violence if needed.

- The karts run on Methanol. Methanol = Vodka so if you can get some into the tank you'll get
more power. Now the race organizers most certainly won't allow you to race with the bottle but
here's the trick: Drink it before the race and then in the furthest hairpin away from the paddock
try to pee into the tank. (If you manage to do that on the back straight you'll gain valuable
seconds).

- Check the regulations and see if driving against traffic is forbidden. If not then you are in luck as
that way normally has more grip.

- Tell the other competitors that you really, really need to win for your grandmother. Then just
before the race begins, start crying. It is small trick I learned from Rubens but it does wonders
when overtaking as the other drivers hardly offer any resistence.

- Show up and drive nude. It'll save extra weight and you'll gain valuable tenths.

First and foremost though enjoy it, I would if I hadn't been banned.

[Uwe]

One tip I hadn't read here or at least I overlooked it.;) Go get some racing gloves. You have much better grip on the wheel when your hands get sweaty. It don't have to be expensive Sparco's - I paid about 10 Euros for my gloves and they are doing fine.

[Sergino]

I'd like to clear sthing.

I've read so much contradictional suggestions on taking the corners by rental (weak) karts that I'm completely confused.
Some say I have to brake hard at the end of the straight, and the turn into the corner smooth, without sliding, and accelerate from the middle of the corner. Others say enter the corner fast and while pushing the throttle make corrections with the brakes (to have enough fuel in the engine so keeping the revs up), but some others say that braking in the corners makes you spin.

In practice I experienced that when I'm cmpletely smooth in the corner I usually not on the limit, that's why I get used to make constant corrections with both the wheel and the brakes. But my mates say that I lose the more time by doing this, and really they complete that curve just like they never brake, very smooth. What's the problem? I just trying too hard?

Unfortunately I can't see myself doing the turn, so I can't reproduce my mistakes, and while driving there is no time to reconsider things.

[Tomecek]

Originally posted by molive


You think thats nice? so what about Granja Viana, the mother of all Brazilian kart tracks:



Now THAT is a fun track!

I felt in love

[Tomecek]

I organize our hobby go-kart championship, already in its third year, and we wan to visit as much different tracks as possible during whole year. This Saturday we're going to visit this track, which is gonna be very interesting Although I prefer classic racing circuits, it is gonna be fun. It goes through 4 floors and rather than race track it is adventure one. We will see

[Viktor]

I will make my outdoor karting debut tomorrow on this track

I have only done some karting on indoor tracks before but I guess this will be more fun (and expencive...)

/Viktor

[klipywitz]

Karting Tip #23:


There are, generally, two pedals in a go-kart.

You dont really want to press the one on the left too much.
The one you really like is on the right.

[100cc]

Originally posted by Viktor

I have only done some karting on indoor tracks before but I guess this will be more fun (and expencive...)
/Viktor

it will... what kart will you be driving?

The difference to indoor will be ....unless you're driving some slow-ass karts



To add to the tip of the racing gloves (make sure non-nomex as they're cheaper), also get thin soled shoes if you kart a lot. Don't have to be racing-specific, you can buy wrestling shoes or just find normal shoes with the soles as thin as possible. It really gives you a feel for the pedals.


and to add to klipywitz's "comment" .... most people underestimate what you can use the brakes for, they're not intended just for slowing down the kart.

[Viktor]

Originally posted by 100cc

it will... what kart will you be driving?

Just know this about it

Power: 8 hk
Topspeed: 75 km/h

And its wet today so I guess that will add to the fun

/Viktor

[lanius]

It seems that people are posting pics/links on different kart tracks so I cant resist either..

This is the sweetest outdoor kart track in Finland:


http://www.mikasaloc...49?OpenDocument


Demostration run:
http://www.mikasaloc...E/Etusivu1.html