Driving Techniques

Jaime Cardenas · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 26

A couple of months ago I took a 2 hour driving class on a Birel Rotax kart. The driving coach told me that I turn in too quickly and don't give the inside rear tire enough time to lift off the ground. He said I should turn the wheel more slowly to correct for that. Is this something that can be helped with kart setup? Or is my driving style just wrong (slow)? Is there a "proper" or best driving style?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Jaime

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1453

There are lots of driving styles that will work in karting.

Karting is about smoothness and momentum usually, but you can be quick if you're snappy on the wheel too. It just might take a bit of adjustment in setup to compensate for that.

A driver who tends to be more aggressive on the wheel might want to run a bit narrower front end, less caster, and less stiff torsion bar to slow the kart's reaction down. I find mostly the problem with drivers who yank on the wheel is that they get the kart to lift way too hard and then they have to chase the rear end and saw the wheel through the corner. If you slow your hands down, this solves the problem. Otherwise, you can make some of the adjustments I mentioned to take front grip away and lessen the effect of your aggressive steering inputs.

I've had teammates over the years who were pretty aggressive on the wheel whereas I'm smoother and we always were within a couple tenths of each other but I always ran more caster and a wider front than them.
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Jim McMahon · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 1:58 pm Post subject:

Racing is part art and part science. Like TJ says, there are lots of styles that work. Usually the coaching is designed to make sure you avoid bad habits and develop good base techniques. Its only meant to be a base, from there you will develop your own style. I will say that I feel the more versatile your style, the better. Then you can pick and choose your techniques to adapt to track conditions.

Watch Pantano #152 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UU4V6kNdIiqSx692be-l0qmA&v=p6gxPvrAn4k&feature=player_detailpage#t=143s
Science\textbook\armchair\youtube expert drivers will tell you this style won't work.
It's not that simple.
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Jaime Cardenas · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 26

Thanks for the replies. That is what happens. I turn the wheel and the rear steps out a bit and then I correct by turning the other way. It always seems like the turn is arriving too quickly so I turn the wheel quickly so I don't miss the apex. How do you turn the wheel gradually, but quickly so you make the turn and don't upset the rear?

Peter Zambos · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject:

The real answer is practice. No one likes to hear it, but there is very little that can ever take the place of seat time.

Now, you could change the points on your pitman arm to slow down the steering rate. Here's a pic of the pitman arm on a typical steering shaft:

If you move the tie-rod ends up on the pitman arm, you will slow down the input you give to the steering wheel.

TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1453

Brian Degulis · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject:

Try to get out when the track is empty or as close to it as you can get. Then do lots of laps slowly runing the best lines you can. Then gradualy speed up without losing the lines. Momentum and good geometry beats being overly agressive every time. What your doing will beat you up and cost you time. First learn how to drive then learn how to drive fast. Do this before you adjust a kart that works for other drivers.

I'm no expert in fact I've only been at it around 6 months. I'm only sharing what've I've learned from others and on my own so take it for whatever you think it's worth.

Brian

mike clements · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:50 am Post subject:

The really fast guys I have seen racing karts have a few things in common. For one, they are so smooth that you can hardly see their hands move.
Another thing, they are always W.O.T. before they get to the center of the turn. These were American drivers.
The faster European drivers are more Kamakazie. They drive horribly fast into the corners with the rear tires locked up. They tend to man-handle and Throw the kart around.
Very interesting styles. Kind of like comparing NASCAR to the World Rally Championship Series.
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TJ Koyen · Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 1453

Brent Harper · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:51 pm Post subject:

If you are watching Euro drivers throwing the kart around then you are watching some very old footage. Many of the top drivers today may be very deliberate and quick with the wheel but they are very smooth, period. As T.J. said, nowadays you cannot get away throwing the kart around like in the past.
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