It's all in the corners - Opinion Piece

In theory, all karts are equal. I know this isn't quite the case but lets pretend it is for now. So we're all using the same equipment, the same track and we're all of a certain standard. How does one person go quicker than another? Contrary to many people's belief it's nothing to do with weight. Being light has it's advantages but it also works against you at times, and I was once told that the optimum weight for karting is 11stone, not featherweight by any means.

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What do we mean?

Where you make the difference is in the corners. Going in at full throttle, stamping on the brakes and spinning on a sixpence isn't going to get you very far up the grid, it's all about momentum. If you can take the right line and keep your revs up during the corner you'll start catching everyone in front of you, and surprisingly fast. I'll give you an example:

During an event in Swindon some years ago we were competing in a 2hr endurance between 4 teams. A team of no-hopers, 2 teams of friends and a team of professional racers. During my first stint I went out and was incredibly tense, gripping the steering wheel like it was the rail on a roller coaster. At the end of the track was a series of short, tight chicanes that I took as most would, brake at the last minute, yank the steering wheel and stamp on the gas again. My times were not unreasonable, about a second off the leaders but nothing to shout about.

My second stint was much more relaxed, I remembered to breathe properly, relax my grip on the straights and coming into the chicanes I decided to try a different approach. Rather than steaming in, I broke gradually and well before my previous braking point, slowing down to almost a cruising pace. Made the turn without losing my line and gradually fed in the throttle on the exit. Everything was far more controlled and relaxed.

The result? At the end of my second stint I was a clear second ahead of the professional team! By relaxing and taking what appeared to be a slower approach I had made up 2 seconds a lap.

So that's the big secret. Try a few different approaches to each corner and find the balance between speed and line, when you crack it you'll be taking big chunks off your lap time.

Happy cornering.