FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[LewEngBridewell]

Lewis? I didn't know LewEngBridewell was racing.

[Hammer278]

I went karting today, and i have some question about it. So, we went karting inside, on a smaller track with more tight curves. I've never drived on a track with so tight curves, and so little space. It seems like you guys know a lot about karting, so i'm gonna ask you.
When there is a curve, I dont really know how to handle it, like, when to gas, when to brake or just when to let go of the gas. So, what should i think of when I come in a curve?

Btw, anyone gonna watch GP in belgium next weekend? Who are u cheering for?

In response to your first query, I too have been karting on a narrow, indoor circuit. Goodness me, it was difficult, I know what you mean. We had an arrogant and moody supervisor / marshal, who didn't really give us any instructions, other than to say we had two warnings for DANGEROUS DRIVING. As the lights went out, I went hell-for-leather, and was setting fastest laps. Then, I muddled the pedals going into a tight corner, and hit the tyres, embedding the kart. The red flag was thrown for ages while they put things to rights again, and I was given a warning. This annoyed me, as I'd only made a mistake with my footing!

From thereon, I just trickled round. I didn't dare to go too fast. The track was so narrow, I didn't dare attempt to overtake, even though I was faster. So I just followed people around and around. I left the place severely disgruntled, and have never returned. So I know exactly what you mean, when it comes to indoor karting.

As for the Belgian Grand Prix, I will most certainly be watching, and as usual, I'll be rooting for McLaren. How about you?

Come and discuss the race with us here too!

McLaren ofcourse!

Wise choice. Make sure it's the right driver though...you know, the guy who can actually drive fast and overtake...not the one who just talks about doing it before every weekend.

[zurich_allan]

I went karting today, and i have some question about it. So, we went karting inside, on a smaller track with more tight curves. I've never drived on a track with so tight curves, and so little space. It seems like you guys know a lot about karting, so i'm gonna ask you.
When there is a curve, I dont really know how to handle it, like, when to gas, when to brake or just when to let go of the gas. So, what should i think of when I come in a curve?

Btw, anyone gonna watch GP in belgium next weekend? Who are u cheering for?

Get your braking done before you turn in and get on the gas through the corner (I think).

For the GP, the only sensible option to support are Vettel and Red Bull.

I know exactly why you say that, but you don't do that in karting unless it is a hairpin, and even then it's not always the norm. Generally in karting you keep your foot hard on the accelerator as long as possible and take the outside line through the corner as it's actually the quickest root with the least turn of the wheel necessary, only braking and controlling the slide of the kart as and when necessary.

What you really need to develop are your reactions to control the kart when the back end starts to slide out to prevent a spin in terms of both quick and accurate braking only when necessary and hand speed / accuracy on the wheel for correcting oversteer. Oversteer on a kart you can handle and work around, but understeer and you have absolutely no chance, your times will be way off the others.

[Nin-Chin]

im planning on doing karting in the coming weeks

[andrew]

I've never karted but I am familiar with spanking cars round country roads and left foot braking.

[Hammer278]

I went karting today, and i have some question about it. So, we went karting inside, on a smaller track with more tight curves. I've never drived on a track with so tight curves, and so little space. It seems like you guys know a lot about karting, so i'm gonna ask you.
When there is a curve, I dont really know how to handle it, like, when to gas, when to brake or just when to let go of the gas. So, what should i think of when I come in a curve?

Btw, anyone gonna watch GP in belgium next weekend? Who are u cheering for?

Get your braking done before you turn in and get on the gas through the corner (I think).

For the GP, the only sensible option to support are Vettel and Red Bull.

I know exactly why you say that, but you don't do that in karting unless it is a hairpin, and even then it's not always the norm. Generally in karting you keep your foot hard on the accelerator as long as possible and take the outside line through the corner as it's actually the quickest root with the least turn of the wheel necessary, only braking and controlling the slide of the kart as and when necessary.

What you really need to develop are your reactions to control the kart when the back end starts to slide out to prevent a spin in terms of both quick and accurate braking only when necessary and hand speed / accuracy on the wheel for correcting oversteer. Oversteer on a kart you can handle and work around, but understeer and you have absolutely no chance, your times will be way off the others.

You obviously know your way with karts.

The easiest way to spot an amateur at the track is to see drivers taking the F1 racing line using karts. At a local track I go to, they actually draw the racing line at some tight corners, basically a line along the center of the track...not the wide entry, apex, wide exit which many might expect.

[What's Burning?]

I take plastic, dark beer or Swiss chocolate

I didn't know they grew cocoa beans in Switzerland.

You want to be more like vettel or Schumacher or for ultimate coolness, Maldonando. No one interesting likes Hamilton.

Listen to Andrew only if you create a thread on how to become an 8 ton fork lift operator.

[darwin dali]

I take plastic, dark beer or Swiss chocolate

I didn't know they grew cocoa beans in Switzerland.

They also don't have oil for the plastic.

[Hammer278]

You want to be more like vettel or Schumacher or for ultimate coolness, Maldonando. No one interesting likes Hamilton.

Listen to Andrew only if you create a thread on how to become an 8 ton fork lift operator.

Gaddamnit....I had it in my mind but felt it too harsh.

[andrew]

You want to be more like vettel or Schumacher or for ultimate coolness, Maldonando. No one interesting likes Hamilton.

Listen to Andrew only if you create a thread on how to become an 8 ton fork lift operator.

I would but I fear it may be far too technical for some.

[JamesSmith]

You obviously know your way with karts.

The easiest way to spot an amateur at the track is to see drivers taking the F1 racing line using karts. At a local track I go to, they actually draw the racing line at some tight corners, basically a line along the center of the track...not the wide entry, apex, wide exit which many might expect.[/quote]

How should I drive when i'm karting? How should I do in the curves? Tell me, please! I really want to learn

[andrew]

Bud is pretty keen on karting but he is missing at the moment.

You could try sending him a PM but given that he's not logged on since 28th July he might not reply, though sending a PM should generate an automatic e-mail notification to him.

[madbrad]

Read Senna's book, Principles of Motor Racing.

[Hammer278]

How should I drive when i'm karting? How should I do in the curves? Tell me, please! I really want to learn

Mate when I do it, I go by instinct. Just remember the less you turn the wheel in a kart, the faster you go in the laptimes.

Rule of thumb in tight curves is as what zurich_allan said earlier....you keep the kart as straight as possible while making the corner. Most importantly, you focus on your reaction time to oversteer (rear end of kart slipping away from you) and how quickly you can correct it. If you find yourself spinning a lot in your first tries, you either need a lot of practice or just don't possess the reaction time or feel of a kart.

Just re read zurich_allan's post, it's not long but has a lot of good feedback. Karting is not about reading a textbook on how to go about it, you just need to get behind the wheel and learn your way doing it!

Btw, do go for at least a 100cc or above...you're wasting your time with the ones less powerful, they're more 'fun kart' version for families to enjoy. You might want to start off with a 100cc and then try the 120cc...if the track offers 150cc grab it! That has some serious power which doesn't really depend on your weight. I weigh around 75kg and when I first started karting (around 70kg), I was told I'd be at least 5 - 8 seconds off the laptimes no matter how good I am if I used karts below 100cc. Guys who weigh around 60-65 have a major advantage with the crappy karts.

[Jabberwocky]

I find with karting it is more to do with keeping the forward momentum as the acceleration is slow (especially if your a bit if a chunky monkey)

I have also had some success in leaning out at corners, as the weight shift helped with the grip.