Driving style and Hello.

Pax Rolfe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

Hello everyone, I am new to Karts but not new to solo. I had the opportunity to run Wendell Karr-ake's kart at a local event back in August and I'm ruined. I have contracted the Karting disease. I hope to have my own next month and run a bunch of events this season.

As a benchmark, my first time in the kart, I was a little over 2 seconds slower than Wendell on a 40-50 second course. My question is, what adjustments do i need to make to my driving style? Are there common mistakes that new karters make when transitioning from door-slammers?

I've seen a lot of posts on setup and things mechanical, but not a lot on the nut behind the wheel. Can I get some tips, things to focus on initially that might shallow my learning curve a bit.

Thanks in advance.
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Pax
Tulsa, OK

Joe Ricard · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject:

subscribing to this as well

My .02 cents is if you aren't shaking like a leaf while getting back to your grid spot you didn't go fast enough.
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Arrow AX-8/ Rotax Sr.

Pax Rolfe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

Tim Walsh · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:09 pm Post subject:

I haven't been karting long, but there are a couple things to think about.

1. Don't forget you don't have a diff or a suspension, therefore throw everything you know about car setup out the window. Seriously, most of it will just mess you up.

2. Because you don't have a diff, a kart will scrub speed badly anytime the wheel is turned.

2a. When you're off the gas, you will understeer, so make sure you can exit every corner on the gas.

3. When launching or moving around the grid, keep the wheel completely straight until you've let the clutch out all the way. I stalled the kart a few times in grid because I had the wheel turned. The kart doesn't make enough torque at 4-6k to get the kart moving when they're turned.
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2002 Birel CR32V/ StockMoto w/PI

Jason Vehige · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

If you trail brake a lot in cars start breaking the habit.... be aware of old tires... it can get very frustrating to chase tires that have simply gone off... they normally loose grip long before the rubber is gone....

otherwise the only real advice I can give is to LOOK AHEAD as much as possible!!! and HAVE FUN!!! Cool

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Jason Vehige

08 Gillard Charlotte / SGM sl204
05 Vanspeed Sirio / SGM sl204

Pax Rolfe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

Trey Davis · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

I can attest to the trail braking deal. I got myself into plenty of squirreliness trying that. Braking early and in a straight line is very important.

Two huge things I learned last year: Slow down the hands and roll on the gas. I came out of some lower horsepower cars and got used to stomping the gas.
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05CRG/99Honda

Joe Ricard · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject:

Find a sprint track to do tons of laps on . However your chassis tuning will be significantly different.

the driving aspect will certainly make you better dodging cones.
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Arrow AX-8/ Rotax Sr.

Robbie Nelson · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 131

Tom Reynolds · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:19 am Post subject:

Jared Langenfeld · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject:

Last season was my first season in a kart (after 5+ years in cars), and I would say the following was the biggest things I had to learn:

1. You REALLY have to look ahead and get used to the perspective of a kart. When you are walking a course, squat down every once in a while to really see what you are going to see.

2. You have to be smoother with your inputs. Jabbing the brakes will unsettle the kart and being jerky with the wheel will unsettle the kart.

3. Brake in a STRAIGHT line! I learned quickly that if I tried to trail brake, I would spin. It is very tempting to trail brake when you are always left-foot braking, but don't do it!

4. You REALLY do have that much grip! I remember the first few events when I started to get close to Shawn in times and was amazed at how much grip I had.

5. LOOK AHEAD!

6. HAVE FUN!

After a season in Shawn's kart, I am hooked and bought my own kart at the end of last year and I'm excited for this season to start!
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2008 Mike Wilson with Honda CR125 shifter

Pax Rolfe · Joined: 28 Feb 2010 Posts: 18

Thanks guys, keep'em coming. Turns out next month came sooner than later. Going to fetch my kart the weekend after next. First event is mid march. It's a kart that's already being used for solo and consistently places in the top third in PAX. Hopefully it will continue to do so with Pax behind the wheel Smile

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Pax
Tulsa, OK

Jim McMahon · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:49 pm Post subject:

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GPI Racing | WildKart | Maxter | Hoosier
Karting Festival @ Blackhawk Farms June 1st-2nd.

Joe Ricard · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:29 am Post subject:

Yep, or my favorite one I tell my wife when she drives her kart. Gas is on the right, it goes to the floor.
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Arrow AX-8/ Rotax Sr.

Bill Schmidt · Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:56 pm Post subject:

Pax,
I co-drove with Wendell the 2nd day of Nats last year, after my shifter cable broke on my butterfly shifter mechanism. His kart is wicked fast!
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Bill Schmidt

'95 Trackmagic 125 shifter (Kawi)
'88 Red Devil F500 4-link rear (Rotax)