How to Successfully Drive a Go Kart
Pick a fast kart (if you can), but be careful because if a kart is going too fast you may drift and lose control., Enter turns slow, exit turns fast., Be smooth., Plan your drive path as "out-in-out", the wide path will help you maintain momentum...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Pick a fast kart (if you can)
If you are selecting from seemingly identical karts, look for karts with fresher tires or from karts that have been winning previous races that day at the track. , This single tip is the most important lesson of fast go-karting.
Winning a go kart race is about maintaining momentum throughout the entire track., You may think you are cool slamming on the accelerator, but sliding and jerking actually slow you down.
Accelerate smoothly, brake smoothly to retain momentum and be faster all around that track. , For example when you are entering left turn you stay at the right side, then cut in the apex.
Then drive to the right again.
For a right turn, vice versa.
When you are just learning, it can help to follow a fast driver to duplicate her race line as closely as possible. , Sliding and drifting may look cool, but they aren't actually fast techniques for the beginner or intermediate driver.
Brake at the end of the straightaways before you enter the turn.
If you start breaking during the turn, you will slide.
Control your front tire grip.
If your front tires stay in control, your kart will stay in the line you want.
It can be OK to let the back tires slide a bit. , Don't pass when there is risk that you will end up in the tires. , Also, most go kart tracks will make you leave if you repetitively crash into people. , If you go a lap without crashing then push a bit more and you might gain some seconds.
If you crash, slow down a bit.
Also learning about its history if it's quite old and quite big can help you "get into touch" with the track. -
Step 2: but be careful because if a kart is going too fast you may drift and lose control.
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Step 3: Enter turns slow
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Step 4: exit turns fast.
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Step 5: Be smooth.
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Step 6: Plan your drive path as "out-in-out"
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Step 7: the wide path will help you maintain momentum.
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Step 8: Limit the sliding in your turns.
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Step 9: Time your passes carefully.
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Step 10: Do not crash into people
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Step 11: it may sound obvious know but out on a busy go kart track it is an easy mistake to make.
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Step 12: Learn your way round the track and its history.
Detailed Guide
If you are selecting from seemingly identical karts, look for karts with fresher tires or from karts that have been winning previous races that day at the track. , This single tip is the most important lesson of fast go-karting.
Winning a go kart race is about maintaining momentum throughout the entire track., You may think you are cool slamming on the accelerator, but sliding and jerking actually slow you down.
Accelerate smoothly, brake smoothly to retain momentum and be faster all around that track. , For example when you are entering left turn you stay at the right side, then cut in the apex.
Then drive to the right again.
For a right turn, vice versa.
When you are just learning, it can help to follow a fast driver to duplicate her race line as closely as possible. , Sliding and drifting may look cool, but they aren't actually fast techniques for the beginner or intermediate driver.
Brake at the end of the straightaways before you enter the turn.
If you start breaking during the turn, you will slide.
Control your front tire grip.
If your front tires stay in control, your kart will stay in the line you want.
It can be OK to let the back tires slide a bit. , Don't pass when there is risk that you will end up in the tires. , Also, most go kart tracks will make you leave if you repetitively crash into people. , If you go a lap without crashing then push a bit more and you might gain some seconds.
If you crash, slow down a bit.
Also learning about its history if it's quite old and quite big can help you "get into touch" with the track.
About the Author
Claire Reyes
Creates helpful guides on practical skills to inspire and educate readers.
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