Go Karting Tips

The roar of engines; the smell of oil and rubber; the excitement – Karting can be one of the most exhilarating days out you can have. There are two main types of people who come to the track, though. While some of them come to have fun, others come to win. If you have a race day as part of a corporate event, what better thrill can there be than overtaking your boss? What better present at your birthday party than beating your friends? Karting may be a little daunting to those who have never done it before, but you can hone your skills by following some simple tips.

Know Your Strengths:

The first thing to consider before you even start to drive is what you are good at. If you are a crazy person who has no fear, you might focus on overtaking and taking corners as quickly as possible, but if you have a more cautious personality, you might concentrate on not making any costly errors. If you are light, you will be faster on the straights, but if you are heavy, you will have more grip on the corners. Make sure the kart is set up comfortably for you, and decide on a strategy. It is also worth bearing in mind that karting is becoming very popular for stag and hen parties. If this is the case, it is probably best that you do not drink too much the night before.

Start Slowly:

On your first few laps, the temptation is to go as fast as possible, as quickly as possible. It is much better to be patient, though. Starting slowly, so you can get used to the circuit, is essential. You need to know where the corners are and to work out the best line to take. In general, getting the best line means going wider into the corners so that you can get more speed going through them. If you are not sure, a good tip is to follow someone who looks like they know what they are doing, or to look for marks on the track.

In this way, you can gradually take each lap a little faster than the last while the tires to warm up, giving you a little more grip. Rather than pushing the kart to its limit straight away (and spinning out), it is better to learn what it can do. Cannon Raceway, based in the West Midlands, are one of the few tracks using 270cc karts. As these have a lot more power than you might expect, it is important to know how to use it effectively.

Slow in, Fast Out:

This is a widely quoted phrase in motor racing, and it applies to karting in just the same way. When taking a corner, it is important to slow down while you are still going straight, maintain a constant speed around the apex, and then accelerate out. Sliding around the corners might be fun, but it makes the cart face the wrong way, losing you speed. Braking late is important as you are going faster for longer, but be careful not to leave it too late, as you will not be on the correct line.

Overtaking:

There are two possible techniques to employ when you want to overtake someone. The first is to take the inside line on a corner, and rely on your courage and skill to take you past them. This is the usual tactic, and is quite possible to do if you are a confident driver. By overtaking on the inside, you will probably force them to slow down, but be careful not to hit them! The second method is to simply sit behind them, keeping up every step of the way, and waiting for them to make a mistake. It can be quite stressful being in the lead knowing that someone is going to try to overtake, whereas being behind gives you a psychological advantage. Again, you must be careful not to hit them if they push things too hard and spin off.

Cannon Raceway are a go karting company in the West Midlands, offering parties and corporate carting events. They are the only indoor circuit in the area offering 270cc karts, and have a track that combines all the elements you would expect from motor racing venue. Contact them for more information.