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Racing lines for Go-Karting
BenB - 17/4/07 at 08:20 PM

I've got my stag do this Saturday (go-karting in Milton Keynes amongst other things)....

Anyone know of a website giving general details of go-karting racing-lines. I presume it's low power so a case of keeping up momentum rather than hard-in quick on the power..... but I may be wrong (seem to have done okay so far up until now @ karting sessions but that's probably cos the other people can't drive- this time I've got my bro and his GF who both drive fast and one of my mates who rags the hell out of any car out there)...


zxrlocost - 17/4/07 at 08:25 PM

foot flat

when powering round a bend keep half on the gas

if its a big bend keep in


graememk - 17/4/07 at 08:28 PM

watch the black flags at mk, if you can just give the leader a gental nudge just b4 a corner but dont get caught lol


StevieB - 17/4/07 at 09:11 PM

Just keep your foot pressed flat and feel your a**e twitch the first few laps until your realise which corners are flat out and which aren't!


BenB - 17/4/07 at 09:26 PM

Gr8! I've got size 14 feet so my shoes are pretty heavy!! I'll keep it nailed and slide round the corners like usual!!!!!!


JoelP - 17/4/07 at 09:28 PM

hair pins you need to stamp late on the brakes to upset it, then power a gentle slide through the corner - not opposite lock though!


russbost - 17/4/07 at 09:39 PM

If you have size 14 feet, you are presumably at least 16 stone. You're right it's low power - so ..................................................... you're stuffed!!!

In all seriousness smooooooooooth always wins!


BenB - 17/4/07 at 09:52 PM

Okay... So it's heavy on the throttle, slide it round corners and brake-stamping handbrake type turns for hairpins.... Sounds fun!!!

I'm not that heavy BTW!!! 14 1/2 stone at the most!!!

Ben


Catpuss - 17/4/07 at 09:53 PM

Just hoof it, slam on the brakes at the last moment so you skid round corners. I'd rather do it in the style of a Starsky and Hutch car chase than smooth, more fun. Just watch for the brakes going off at the end of the straight.


ecosse - 17/4/07 at 10:03 PM

If its the basic 4 stroke indoor type kart you want to be as smooth as possible, no sliding, no heavy braking, early on the power (cause they dont have much!) and aim to keep as much momentum going as you can at all times

And if all else fails, just have fun

Cheers

Alex


craig1410 - 17/4/07 at 10:23 PM

As said above, keep up momentum and try to avoid letting the revs drop so much that the centrifugal clutch starts to slip.

Also, remember that you don't have a differential on a kart so you need to do a certain amount of sliding to get it to turn into the corners. You will see loads of people lose momentum and then can't seem to turn the kart before understeering into the tyre wall.

I usually brake very late and very hard into corners using the slight slide to steer the nose into the apex. I then jump on the throttle (usually just before I've finished braking in fact - shh don't tell the marshalls...) and do a nice power drift through the corner to a wide exit. By keeping the back end slightly loose you can compensate for the lack of a diff since most of the weight transfers to the outside rear wheel and the inside rear spins slightly as it has less weight on it.

Final thing - use a wide line into and out of the corners EXCEPT when you are being attacked in which case a slightly more defensive corner entry is required. If you are really under pressure then just back the guy behind up at the apex by slowing down a bit more than you need to but watch for him going round the outside and making you look like a tit!

IT'S A STAG DO SO JUST GET PI$$ED!!

Enjoy,
Craig.


JoelP - 18/4/07 at 05:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by craig1410
I usually brake very late and very hard into corners using the slight slide to steer the nose into the apex. I then jump on the throttle (usually just before I've finished braking in fact - shh don't tell the marshalls...) and do a nice power drift through the corner to a wide exit.



Thats exactly how it should be done


Fred W B - 18/4/07 at 08:09 AM

Yes, left foot brake against the power all the way to keep the kart balanced and the motor pulling, but don't slide it more than you have to, sideways is slow.

Keep it neat and tidy if you can, move the steering wheel as little/seldom as possible.

Also, if you are kart number three in a train, go wherever number two goes (unless you are passing him), if he gets into an overtaking position on number one you will pass as well.

Cheers

Fred W B

[Edited on 18/4/07 by Fred W B]