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!

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

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!!

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

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

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!!

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

Originally Posted by andyb

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

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!!

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

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

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?

Originally Posted by andyb

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?

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 - but from a going fast point of view, it keeps the engine on the boil ... aiding corner exit ...

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by andyb

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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

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!!!

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