collease Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I'm off Go Carting this weekend with work but i have never been before and really don't know what to expect. I'm sure i'm going to be rubbish but has anyone got any tips that could help me get into it a bit quicker. Thanks in advance+++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 The key to karting is being able to carry speed. You need to use the brakes as little as possible, because they're normally light on power, so take forever to get going again once you've slowed down. Also, avoid sliding as well. It's really tempting to feck around hanging the arse end of the kart out, but it slows you down like hell. If you want to stop someone coming past, stick to the racing line and it's almost impossible to get past, unless they've managed to carry more speed out of the corner. If you've got your own skid lid, then take it, because you've got no idea how many people have had their heads in the skid lids that are provided. Oh, and don't have any alcohol before you go. Sounds logical, but you might get checked and they'll usually refuse you getting into a kart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 If you've got your own skid lid, then take it, because you've got no idea how many people have had their heads in the skid lids that are provided. I really had not thought of that how dear god i may being going out to purchase one so i don't have to use their ones. Ewwwwww Also good advice about the drinking i was not going to do this but its very sensible advice. Are karts left foot breaking or right like normal. I know its probably a stupid question but i really have never been and this is the stuff thats worrying me. Everyone else has been at least once and i'm hoping not to kill anyone by bing a muppet and doing something stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Be prepared to ache the morning after. I nearly always ache like hell the morning after but it's such a hoot that it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Yes, left foot braking. And if you're in a grid to start off, use the brake to hold the car while you press the throttle slightly - you'll get a head start off the line. Don't let the marshalls see you doing it though - you're not supposed to use both pedals at the same time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Tyres take a little while to get warm, so no ball-out nonsense on your first few laps, just concentrate on holding your place, then as Mook says, brake as little as possible as late as possible and take the cleanest lines you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I'm going to get in so much trouble breaking to hard and probably causing accidents. If i'm in a grid situation i'm making sure i'm at the back. i'm going to die! I'm looking forward to it but i am nervous as well. By the way sorry for the sloppy spellling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 You'll love it, honest ! If you're that concerned, go and have a shufty before the event, get the feel of the place. Have fun ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 You'll have a blast, you really will. Flying along in something with all the strength of a pram frame with your arse 2" from the ground when you're doing 40mph :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I am sure i will be ok after all i only have to go as fast as i want to. Once i get the hang of it i can pick up the speed. I am going to take all the advice about racing lines and warming the tyres up before (how was it put oh yes) "balls out displays". I suspect that i may be driving like Mr Meldrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Try and avoid, to an extent, the need to lean into the corners (but don't roll it - not probable mind). Carts turn much more quickly with more weight on the outside wheels and thus allowing inside rear to slip a little (no LSD's on carts). Listen to the marshalls carefully and work out what they will and will not allow. As stated using gas and brake at the same time is a no-no. Work out any places where you CAN overtake as there are mutiple lines, also, the "normal" racing line is not always quickest, sometimes a wider turn will allow you to carry more speed and offset the shorter racing line distance. You will love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I am sure i will be ok after all i only have to go as fast as i want to. Once i get the hang of it i can pick up the speed. I am going to take all the advice about racing lines and warming the tyres up before (how was it put oh yes) "balls out displays". I suspect that i may be driving like Mr Meldrew. Yeah, but once the red mist descends.... yeeeehaaaa ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Pray it doesn't rain! It's like driving on ice. All sensible advice already! It's amazingly good fun. I raced once in Portugal after a few JD & cokes... i wasn't planning to go, but couldn't resist. Ended up creaming everybody through complete lack of fear LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Ended up creaming all over everybody through complete lack of fear LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 the alternative to buying a helmet is to get yourself a silk balacava, then you can use one of their lids Braking?? thats for whimps:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Pray it doesn't rain! It's like driving on ice. Yeah wise words... I was lucky enough to be invited to a corporate day at Rye House some time ago and it has to be one of the best days of my life . I managed to get the fastest lap of the whole session and won two of the three races but also did myself a mischief in the last one when it started raining, went into the barriers on the corner at the end of the back straight at full pelt :roflmao:Steering? what steering? eeek.... crunch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Yeah wise words... I was lucky enough to be invited to a corporate day at Rye House some time ago and it has to be one of the best days of my life . I managed to get the fastest lap of the whole session and won two of the three races but also did myself a mischief in the last one when it started raining, went into the barriers on the corner at the end of the back straight at full pelt :roflmao:Steering? what steering? eeek.... crunch Ok now i'm worried as its supposed to rain this weekend. We are going to Wildtracks near newmarket. It looks rather good so as long as it does not rain i should be ok. Track looks fairly easy to remember as well judging by their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Yeah seriously if it does rain you can walk quicker... its scary. It was a deluge on mine, one lap fine, next one uncontrollable. They red flagged it when I went off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torino101 Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Until you have experienced it yourself it is difficult to believe how little grip carts have in the wet - you literally have NO steering. You can turn the wheel as frantically as you like, but it has no effect on the direction you're travelling in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 very true... slicks on wet tarmac is not exactly the best combo for racing. Also go on a diet as its always the featherweights who win in the end regardless of how much talent the bigger fellas have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collease Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 very true... slicks on wet tarmac is not exactly the best combo for racing.Also go on a diet as its always the featherweights who win in the end regardless of how much talent the bigger fellas have! Is that experiance talking Fizzbitt or wishfull thinking? Thanks guys i'm now praying it stays sunny but also making sure i take a change a clothes for when i have my big accident because it has rained. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Is that experiance talking Fizzbitt or wishfull thinking? Thanks guys i'm now praying it stays sunny but also making sure i take a change a clothes for when i have my big accident because it has rained. Im a middlewight so its not too much of an issue for me but the other guys ive karted with in the past moan like crazy! Either way its great fun. You have all the advice you need and the main point to reiterate is to carry as much speed through the corners as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I used to go to Buckmore Park quite often as it is local to me and i enjoyed racing in the rain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Yeah wise words... I was lucky enough to be invited to a corporate day at Rye House some time ago and it has to be one of the best days of my life . I managed to get the fastest lap of the whole session and won two of the three races but also did myself a mischief in the last one when it started raining, went into the barriers on the corner at the end of the back straight at full pelt :roflmao:Steering? what steering? eeek.... crunch I've driven Rye House in a deluge, did a 360 on the back straight when I clipped a puddle! Bonkers fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Wizzbit is correct, the most important factor if you want to win, is to be the lightest. I used to race karts, and have several trophies, but then I got fat and never won anything again! I've seen fat blokes with incredible skill and control be made to look like amatures by 12 year olds with no skill simply because weight is so critical, karts perform best with as little weight as possible, a heavy person sitting in the frame messes up the geometry. Forget all the advice, just go out and enjoy yourself, you'll soon pick it up, sadly me and my karting buddy (Marco to those who know him) got rid of the Tony Kart last year, miss it badly but i'm just too big/old for em now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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