Do you want to win?! YES you do! If you want to be better than the rest, then follow closely! We have put together our TOP 8 TIPS to help give you the ultimate advantage over your rivals.
DON’T LEAN IN
When entering a corner, beginner drivers tend to lean into the apex of the corner to ‘counterbalance’ the momentum. The kart needs grip on the outside wheel to help you get through the corner. Think about holding a cup of water when approaching a corner; if you tip the cup the water will spill. Try keep your body centred (and the water in the cup!).
GET COMFY
Nobody wants to be embarrassed when they get told they need a booster seat to help reach the pedals. Do you really want to sacrifice safety and control over your pride? Use the kart to your advantage! Most karts have adjustable pedal lengths and pillows/booster seats help you have more control over your kart.
When sitting in your kart, make sure both feet are resting on the pedals with your legs slightly bent, NOT straight out! This will allow you to have more control over your acceleration and braking.
Sit up straight, avoid slouching. This can result in more weight in the front of your wheels and will SLOW you down (plus it gets uncomfortable after two laps!)
Most importantly, make sure your seatbelt is tight and sitting comfortably over your shoulders. You want it to be secure! Having it come loose during the race is a nuisance and distracting. If you need help tightening your belts, kindly ask one of the staff for assistance.
FIND THE LINE
What is THE LINE? The line is the FASTEST way to go through a corner, whether you give up speed for a shorter distance or keep a fast spend with a longer distance. The line may not be easy to find on your first go as it takes take. Try getting behind a fast driver and following their lines.
MOVE OVER
Arriving at a kart track for the first time can be intimidating! Seeing experienced drivers zoom pass you does not help. Just remember, they have more experience than you and someday it will be you passing all the new drivers. It is a good opportunity to see how they drive and how you can improve. Strike up a conversation at the end of the race and get some pointers of fellow racers…it all helps!
KEEP MOVING AND GIVE SPACE
If you are trying to set your fastest lap time, nothing can be more frustrating than having the driver in front of you stop suddenly. If you find yourself stuck in traffic or a congested area of track, feel free to slow down and allow drivers to pass. If you need to pullover to let people pass, stick to the outside wall and slow down on straights. Be patient and give yourself space to race!
ONE PEDAL AT A TIME
It is important you use one pedal at a time, otherwise your kart will cut out! Using both pedals can result in spinning out, locked brakes and slower lap times! When you want to brake, take your foot off the accelerator and vice-versa when accelerating.
STRAIGHT IS BEST
The longer you can have your wheels facings forwards, the better! It will allow you to start experiencing full acceleration sooner. Turning and swerving will slow your kart down due to friction. When approaching a corner, try keep your wheels as straight as possible. Too much and you will spin out, too little and you will not make it out of the corner. The quickest way to point A from point B is in a straight line. The longer you stay straight, the faster you can reach top speed!
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
The more you do something, the better you get. This rule applies to EVERYTHING! Whether its golf, basketball, or synchronised swimming! You will feel more comfortable on track each time you get behind the wheel and it will eventually become second nature. Reach to others for support and advice. Hard work and dedication will pay off!
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