Karting advice
 

Going karting on Weds for the first time in ages. Havent been on proper karts before so am looking for some advice as I WANT TO WIN!:D:cool:

Re: Karting advice
 

Momentum is everything. Don't slow down too much, and try to keep slides to a minimum, you want to keep your speed up at all costs. Oh yeah and when they say "Don't hit each other", ignore them ;)

Re: Karting advice
 

Do you know what type the karts they are (4-stroke, 2-stroke, one engine, two engines) also is it indoor or outdoor?

Karting is my latest money-pit hobby!! :D

Re: Karting advice
 

Just been on their website and they supposedly do around 50mph top speed! I'm going with a group of very competitive people :D (ay e.d./fizz!)

Re: Karting advice
 

Ahh haa, was hoping you'd reply! Come-on share your new found talent! Not sure what kind of karts (200CC Zip karts), it's here though:

http://www.wessexraceway.co.uk/karts.htm

Re: Karting advice
 

Ok, so it is indoors and they are 4-stoke single engine Zip-Karts.

The zip karts have naff all acceleration, so indeed as rigor said, you need to keep the momentum. They will tell you not to do it, but you need to overlap the braking and accelerator. Unless the kart has just been out, tyre heat might catch you out on the first few laps.

Basic kart theory, a kart has a solid rear axle, therefore the only way it is going to go round a turn is if the inside rear wheel lifts, or if the rear slides. The steering geometry is actually set up so that it lifts the rear inner wheel when the steering is turned (try it with noone in the kart). So, anything you can do to assist the kart in lifting the inner rear wheel will aid cornering. Unlike on a bike, it actually makes sense to keep your weight in the middle, if not slightly to the off-side.

Along the same lines, you can/need to slip the rear end into/round a turn, you don't have the power on one of them to keep the rear lit, so its gonna be a combination of brake slide in and inner wheel lift through.

Here are a couple of onboard vids to get you excited!! :)

Notice the amount of rear end slippage ... where my kart has a lot more power-to-weight than a zip kart, it is actually a struggle to keep the rear tamed on the trottle!! 8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLUHo_2RnR8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq1_KheaiBk

Re: Karting advice
 

Thanks blue, so basically keep corner speed up as much as possible and lean to the outside of the corner to aid getting around the corner?

Can you explain overlapping braking and acceleration a bit more please?

Re: Karting advice
 

I tend to sit more neutral, but as I am outdoors the corner speeds are much higher (so momentum is twisting the kart over more - you need to encourage it a bit more indoors).

As for overlap, basically you should be on full-chat even though you are on the brakes - from their perspective it is a no-no [-X - but from a going fast point of view, it keeps the engine on the boil ... aiding corner exit ... 8)

Re: Karting advice
 

I'm not going, the shame of continually being beaten by Liz is to much for me to bear anymore... :D

Tip 1 - take your own lid, I hate using the karting lids, stinky sweaty visors all scratched no good.

Tip 2 - Dont slide, dont slide the back round when braking, dont slide the back when throttling on, all it does is slow you down. If your going to slide try and drift it so the front and back break away at the same time, dont brake to hard with cold tyres, you will spin.

Tip 3 - Keep the momentum up, dont let the engine in the Kart bog down

Tip 4 - When being overtaken by Liz move the left and let her past you. ;)

I just try and keep it smooth and gentle with the controls, Some places if they see you overlapping the brake will black flag you and then you'll get a rollocking for it.

Re: Karting advice
 

Tip 5 - Ignore tip 4 ... if someone is trying to get past, make yourself as wide as possible ... you are better off tipping them off into the tyres than getting overtaken 'specially if it is a GURL!!! :smt082

First time I did a minimoto GP I 'took a gurl out' as she was 'on my line'!! :smt093 ... worked a charm and I won 1st place!!:king: Have the trophy here!! :) ... oh and yes, she took a dive and milked injury like a footballer!! :smt082

Re: Karting advice
 

No chance buddy:laughat:
You should have been with us for paint balling now that was competitive:D

Re: Karting advice
 

Fizz, don't tell Liz I'm after extra tuition;). Is she taking her own lid? There's no way I'm moving over for her until she forces past me :D (read I get scared!)

Re: Karting advice
 

I'll get past any way Andy, do your worst.:cool:

Re: Karting advice
 

Why do you think I didn't go paint balling, I can't shoot for sh*t (which is quite worrying!) Was hoping you'd miss this thread :D

Re: Karting advice
 

I think someone will end up getting hurt, and it's bound to be me!:D:smt071

Re: Karting advice
 

Have you mentioned this to Sgt Cross:D

Don't rely on getting your bounty each year then you do need to reach a certain level of marksmanship to pass your APWT. (For a few quid i could arrange for the tick in the box on that one)
:lol:

Oh yeah i am taking my lid and gloves

Re: Karting advice
 

Here's your best bit of advice:

remember that when you've just spent an hour or so on a cart and then get into your car to go home that your steering wheel needs to be turned more than 20 degrees lock to lock, otherwise you end up straightening out the islands a little too much. I'll tell you from first hand experience the passengers scream louder than you when you go clean over the grass:pale:

Re: Karting advice
 

Will probably take mine too then but don't want to look like a tit with all the gear, not saying that you will;)! I'm not that bad at shooting so shouldn't be a problem with that bounty (although a cross in the right box wouldn't go a miss!:D) Anyway, at least i fire my weapon on exercises unlike SOME people who shall remain un-named!!!!!!!

I'm not driving there/back so the return journey as a passenger should be fun!

Re: Karting advice
 

If it's a slow rental treat the throttle like an on-off switch and just try to keep it switched on for as long as possible, without the lairy sideways stuff of course, but - if you're not making small corrections, you're not on the limit.