Braking in a kart (Expert advice)
Discussion
I'm just started to get into karting and i have pretty much figured out the basics. My racing line is pretty much identical to the pros, except they tend position the kart during a corner much better, pointing the kart towards the apex getting on the gas quicker.
Also i have been struggling with my braking. I can't get my head around threshold braking, braking to the last minute before the kart locks up.
My braking tends to be very random because of this
.
Need some advice, as i want to the club100 in a few months and i don't want to look like some odd fool in the C final.
Also i have been struggling with my braking. I can't get my head around threshold braking, braking to the last minute before the kart locks up.
My braking tends to be very random because of this
.Need some advice, as i want to the club100 in a few months and i don't want to look like some odd fool in the C final.
Depends on tyre temperatures as to how late you can brake. You need to feel that yourself which will get better with practice. Some corners it is better to trail brake into to keep the front in wheras in others you might want to stab them to get the back round a bit if you're understeering.
I wonder whether you're spending too much time on trailing throttle? With no differential a kart will tend to understeer if you aren't braking or accelerating and only steering gently, which will make you miss the apex. Both the brakes and the accelerator can be used to provoke oversteer in a kart, and using the throttle and brakes to get the nose where you want it is one of the key skills.
This boils down to feel and practise.
I often learn a new kart by driving right up to (usually slightly past) the optimum braking point, then stamping on the brakes, making the rear axle lock up.
Each successive lap I brake a little less viciously, until I know when it will lock up and when it wont. After that I usually go for apexes.
It will just take time.
C
I often learn a new kart by driving right up to (usually slightly past) the optimum braking point, then stamping on the brakes, making the rear axle lock up.
Each successive lap I brake a little less viciously, until I know when it will lock up and when it wont. After that I usually go for apexes.
It will just take time.
C
Every kart feels different. However I'd say even when driving at 110% always jump on the break at 95% full instant brake will result in locking up. Another important point is the angle of the kart when braking. When standing on the brake say slightly aiming right, use opposite lock, to stop it instant snapping sideways, and then it will be controlable, and easy to adjust. More powerful karts you can get away with a controlled slight slide without much or any time lost. Eta on phone so apologise for spelling/grammarrrr
Practice, as above. And as a bonus, when you get the braking consistently on the threshold, you can merely 'suggest' that the kart should turn in using the wheel and it'll do most of the steering for you! As others have said though, any appreciable amount of oversteer will slow you down, but get the attitude of the kart right before the apex and you can be on full throttle much earlier. Remember that you can re-position yourself in the seat which will influence how much the kart bogs down mid-corner- you want as much weight off the inside rear and onto the opposite front as possible.
ETA: all of the above aside, I think the best advice I was given was to be relaxed all over, especially in the arms and core- don't resist the centrifugal force which is pushing you to the outside of the corner, because that very force will help you keep load on the outside front tyre and off the inside rear
ETA: all of the above aside, I think the best advice I was given was to be relaxed all over, especially in the arms and core- don't resist the centrifugal force which is pushing you to the outside of the corner, because that very force will help you keep load on the outside front tyre and off the inside rear
Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 24th February 00:15
The most important thing is to look at the exit and not the turn in point or apex, those will automatically come when you look at the exit.
You also want to brake in a straight line, finding the point of locking and then coming close but not enough to lock.
The danger is overdriving into the corner and spending the corner correcting the mistake you made in the first place.
Practice makes perfect.
You also want to brake in a straight line, finding the point of locking and then coming close but not enough to lock.
The danger is overdriving into the corner and spending the corner correcting the mistake you made in the first place.
Practice makes perfect.
Plus there are so many different ways to brake depending on the actual corner and the weather conditions.
Generally, and I do actually mean very generally, when you go into a heavy braking point such as that for hairpin, you can stamp on the brake initially locking it up, after you then modulate the brake pedal to find the optimium grip, also you want to try and place the kart during the braking point.
It's quite difficult to just explain, without seeing you do it tbh.
Also worth noting that in club 100 the brakes are quite useless, not much feel, and they vary from kart to kart, and I personally use a dab of throttle with the bake to immediatly correct a lock up.
Generally, and I do actually mean very generally, when you go into a heavy braking point such as that for hairpin, you can stamp on the brake initially locking it up, after you then modulate the brake pedal to find the optimium grip, also you want to try and place the kart during the braking point.
It's quite difficult to just explain, without seeing you do it tbh.
Also worth noting that in club 100 the brakes are quite useless, not much feel, and they vary from kart to kart, and I personally use a dab of throttle with the bake to immediatly correct a lock up.
4yrton5enna said:
whats the site of danny watts, i want to contact the lad.
Btw Im 17
was thinking about doing the above or pro-train.
How long have you been karting for? In what series? It took me a good year to be on the pace with the top guys in club level Tkm, even then I could only hold onto them, themes still had better raceccraft. It just takes experience with breaking, when u get it right you will find its a quick jab on the brakes to get the kart slowed and sliding a little and then straight back on the power through the apex of the corner. Don't waste your money with training unless you have a fair bit of race experience already and want to hone your skills Btw Im 17
was thinking about doing the above or pro-train.Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff