Karting - how are others so much quicker than me?!
Discussion
I consider myself pretty good at karting and last night whipped my colleagues at a local indoor track. In larger events I am usually in the top 5 fastest. Last night I did a 37 second lap and was just about spot on with the power/braking/lines etc. and yet the track record is 5 seconds faster! The lap is only 37 seconds and at least 10 seconds is a long curving straight. I know the guy who did that lap goes there a lot but I can't see how on earth he makes up so much time on me?!!
thebraketester said:
Raify said:
How much does he/she weigh? Driver weight makes up a massive percentage of the bhp/ton in a kart...
This. Ever been karting with girls ( thin ones)?? They sail past on the straights.
(I just tell myself it was a long straight, not that I've to lose weight...)
I've seen people challenging lap records before and they put quite a bit of thought into it. Not only will they be lightweight themselves and know the track, but they'll knos the best karts and will make sure tyres are warmed up at the start and its likely that in a twisty complex is where they make most of their time purely by maintaining momentum.
Usually they're there on the Sunday evening unlimited runs,ask them and I'm sure they'll share a few tips.
Usually they're there on the Sunday evening unlimited runs,ask them and I'm sure they'll share a few tips.
This might hurt...
Its not the weight, or the karts (although the do make a difference!).
I've raced karts over the last 8 years with varying success - but when a pro is involved, I just can't do it.
Braking tends to be where the most is gained from my point of view.
I have also raced at various weights - I do a lot of "company director" weight lifting, so I go from a fat 93kg to a lean ish 80kg (6ft 1) regularly.
Lap times at Buckmore arrive and drive (numerous sessions etc), the bests low 51 secs, the slows (heavys) are 52 secs - but I can still get the 51 secs when fat(er).
The pro's I race against (wont name) but very close to BTCC hopefulls (!) and older guys who have done for years..and years can get low 50's and still weigh 90kg ish.
I just enjoy my racing, and know I will don't have the ability to get the last few tenths - or it may come to me with vastly more track time.
The good news is (for us, or me), the reverse grids on some races mean I get to start up front, and if the difference is a few tenths, some good race craft can keep you ahead.
Good luck and worst case, just slip a first corner bandit a tenner before the races to take out rivals.
Its not the weight, or the karts (although the do make a difference!).
I've raced karts over the last 8 years with varying success - but when a pro is involved, I just can't do it.
Braking tends to be where the most is gained from my point of view.
I have also raced at various weights - I do a lot of "company director" weight lifting, so I go from a fat 93kg to a lean ish 80kg (6ft 1) regularly.
Lap times at Buckmore arrive and drive (numerous sessions etc), the bests low 51 secs, the slows (heavys) are 52 secs - but I can still get the 51 secs when fat(er).
The pro's I race against (wont name) but very close to BTCC hopefulls (!) and older guys who have done for years..and years can get low 50's and still weigh 90kg ish.
I just enjoy my racing, and know I will don't have the ability to get the last few tenths - or it may come to me with vastly more track time.
The good news is (for us, or me), the reverse grids on some races mean I get to start up front, and if the difference is a few tenths, some good race craft can keep you ahead.
Good luck and worst case, just slip a first corner bandit a tenner before the races to take out rivals.
thebraketester said:
Weight plays a huge part in it, to say it doesn't is entirely incorrect
Who said that? It does, of course it does. But you can be 90kg and still very quick. Compared to say a quick driver of say 70kg, anything more than 1 sec is down to driving (and kart of course).
Try it - if you can find someone who is light, and willing to try it, put a lap time in and then try it with a lead seat with 15kg -20kg.
The lap time will not be 5 secs slower, period. (In the same kart).
Edit to add:
http://www.kartingmagazine.com/features/track-test...
Edited by Henry Fiddleton on Friday 18th December 16:33
Frimley111R said:
I consider myself pretty good at karting and last night whipped my colleagues at a local indoor track. In larger events I am usually in the top 5 fastest. Last night I did a 37 second lap and was just about spot on with the power/braking/lines etc. and yet the track record is 5 seconds faster! The lap is only 37 seconds and at least 10 seconds is a long curving straight. I know the guy who did that lap goes there a lot but I can't see how on earth he makes up so much time on me?!!
The lap record, are you sure it was done on the same layout?5seconds on an indoor track is a fair chunk if you are as quick as you say you are
Indoor karts tend to be pretty low power - doesn't the penalty of extra weight increase as power reduces? If it's one of these double decker tracks you also lose out going up the hill.
It's also possible that someone who has enough skill to throw a kart around, slide it and twist its neck, without spinning they may think they're nailing it whist they're actually throwing time away hand over fist (I've been there). But if one has that basic skill they'll soon improve if they pit themselves against some more serious competition.
It's also possible that someone who has enough skill to throw a kart around, slide it and twist its neck, without spinning they may think they're nailing it whist they're actually throwing time away hand over fist (I've been there). But if one has that basic skill they'll soon improve if they pit themselves against some more serious competition.
People always blaming weight!!
If you want to know how quick you are get yourself along to club 100' they run weight limits, there is a super heavy 85kg class for you to try out in.
Go and do that and let us know how good you are.
You should to be able to get within 2 seconds of the record if you are any good.
If you want to know how quick you are get yourself along to club 100' they run weight limits, there is a super heavy 85kg class for you to try out in.
Go and do that and let us know how good you are.
You should to be able to get within 2 seconds of the record if you are any good.
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