Endurance karting
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Discussion

aussieal

Original Poster:

542 posts

184 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
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Not sure if this should be in here technically, but has anyone got any experience of the endurance karting events at three sisters?

A few of us are doing the 2 hour one tonight, expecting it to be cold and wet but looking forward to the impact that will have on handling!

ode

184 posts

225 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
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The first one I did there was cold, dark and very wet, and we were all pretty nervous about it. But we all left the place having had the best karting experience of our lives, and were all a lot more knowledgeable about driving the things too.

You'll be tired, wet and buzzing. Can't wait to do it again :-)

aussieal

Original Poster:

542 posts

184 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Sounds promising!

70mph karts and a wet track should make it interesting.

motorhole

692 posts

243 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
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Done quite a few of these at 3-sisters in both the wet and dry! Awesome events, really a very enjoyable way to spend an evening.

The single-engined karts they have now arn't as nice to drive, nor quite as fast as the twin-engined ones they used to have. The new ones are harder to slide smoothly in the wet, but still a lot of fun.

In my experience, best race strategies for these are to 1) stay out of trouble and 2) try to do your pit stops when no-one else is pitting, to avoid traffic. Consistency wins the day.

If it is wet, do your braking off the traditional racing line as there will be a lot more grip. In the corners, the kart will just want to understeer so try getting used to initiating a turn by snatching the rear brake as you turn then use the power to get round the corner.

It it is dry, most of the track is flat out. If you're brave and you have a good kart in good conditions, you can try taking the corner at the end of the main straight flat! Have fun trying to see just how late you can brake for the hairpin. The trickiest corner I find is the left hander that is turn 2. The shape suggests a late turn in, but there's a lot more grip available if you turn in earlier than feels natural. Experiment and see what you can find out smile

drakart

1,749 posts

233 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
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You won't be doing 70mph, that's for sure! Just relax and don't fight the kart.

aussieal

Original Poster:

542 posts

184 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
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Some good advice, getting excited just reading it!

Yeah, pretty sure I'll be nowhere near 70mph. Thinking of it as more an indication of power in comparison to previous experiences of karting.

I'm sure I'll have some stories to tell tomorrow!

motorhole

692 posts

243 months

Thursday 31st October 2013
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How'd your race go then bud? biggrin

aussieal

Original Poster:

542 posts

184 months

Thursday 31st October 2013
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It was good, we didn’t do too well though – finished 10th out of 14 teams. Too many driver changes, a couple of black flags and one member of the team being particularly pedestrian!

Weather was atrocious, it got stopped 10 minutes in as the rain was so heavy and we started to get standing water on the track. Once it restarted it was interesting with poor visibility and a drenched circuit.

Agree that turn 2 was particularly tricky and also the location of my black flag – undertaking under a yellow flag, on a bend. Not cool, but I’d found a rhythm and the person I undertook had been hampering it a little, so I got a bit carried away.

As for that hairpin, in my first session when it was really wet I seemed to handle it well, no spins and only one where I drifted around it. Second session I had though, when the track was arguably a bit drier, was awful. Reckon I did 10 laps and must have lost it 4 times.

My best time was in my first session, 1:08:207. I was fairly happy with that given the conditions, not knowing the track and being 6’3” and 13.5 stone.

Overall, great night, good banter and will be doing it again, ideally in the dry!

motorhole

692 posts

243 months

Thursday 31st October 2013
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Good to hear you had a great time!

Yeah it's often harder on a drying track than it is on a sopping wet one. Because the track changes every lap, you have to drive on instinct and feel rather than rely on a rhythm and that's a lot harder smile



aussieal

Original Poster:

542 posts

184 months

Thursday 31st October 2013
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I enjoyed driving blind on a number of occasions due to spray/mud on my visor, turning into corners based on where I thought I was on the track!

Having said that, think the early stages of man flu are beginning to take hold today.


Merry

1,469 posts

211 months

Sunday 3rd November 2013
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Glad you enjoyed it - I'm Pete, the guy who was running it!

If you're after any tips next time you're down don't hesitate to ask me or one of the guys. I spend most of my life at the track so hopefully can point you in the right direction!