Karting essential tips
Whether you’re a rookie racer or a seasoned pro, shaving those all important seconds off your lap times is never easy. But with a few simple tweaks to your technique improving your speed round the circuit is far from impossible. So to help you make the most of your speed and skill at the wheel, here’s our essential guide to improving your lap times and podium position.
1. Experiment with racing line
The ‘racing line’ refers to the fastest way possible to get round the track. Adopting the correct racing line is most important when you’re approaching corners and chicanes, as it means you can carry as much speed as possible in and out of the corners. The easiest way to find the correct line is by experimenting with different lines during your warm up laps, alternatively ask one of the race marshals because they know the track better than anybody!
2. Sit correctly in the kart
It may sound silly but sitting correctly in your kart can make a huge difference. Sitting upright without leaning forward or slumping will give you better control of the kart, which in turn improves acceleration.
3. Drive to your capabilities
The fastest racers are the ones that stay on the track the longest, and driving erratically or beyond your capabilities usually results in spin off or collision. If you feel like your losing control of your kart slow down, keep your driving smooth and take advantage of drivers who are pushing too hard.
4. Don’t just overtake on the straights
Straights are perfect for speeding past slower drivers, but corners can be just as useful too. As the race progresses you’ll feel more and more confident racing round corners, so if there’s room to pass a slower driver and it’s safe to overtake, go for it!
5. Corners are key
Setting storming lap times comes down to one thing – conquering corners. Almost all of the tips we’ve featured have highlighted the importance of cornering, and there’s no escaping the fact that the easiest way to improve your lap times is by mastering this dark art. Remember momentum is key and the speed that you enter a corner usually dictates the speed you exit it, by finding a balanced entry speed you’ll have the best chance of sustaining your speed and exiting a corner quickly.
So why not find your nearest Karting Nation circuit and spend some time perfecting your technique today!