Do you know how to go faster?? I know it sounds like a dumb question, but everybody thinks they know how to faster, but it’s been my experience that they don’t.
The drivers I have worked with can tell you what my most frequently asked question is: “Where are you waiting for the kart??”. You should see the looks I get when I ask it the first couple times.
If the track was all straights, I would never have to ask that question. Since physics dictate that you must slow down for the corners, he/she who slows down the least will probably win. Unfortunately, the brain is hardwired for survival, and it’s very effective at making you do things that ensure it survives your racing habit.
Even the best, most talented drivers fall victim to slowing the kart down too much. Let’s examine ways to fix it…
There are a couple ways to de-program the driver’s brain so he/she will be able to not slow down as much. I know that sounds weird, but simply telling a driver to “go faster” usually doesn’t work. Saying it over and over doesn’t help either. You need to reverse “go faster” into “don’t slow down as much”! There are a few basic skills that a driver will need before this can work:
- A driver must be able to divide the corner into segments: The Approach, Turn-In & Rotation, Apex and Track-Out. Others may label those sections of a corner differently, but regardless of the label, those are the sections of a corner.
- A driver must be capable of critical thinking and self-analysis. A driver must be able to store some information in their noggin while they drive, so it can be recalled in the pits. They need to be able to recall and analyze the information. The very best MyChron system can’t keep up with the human brain (even your brain!), so use it!
- A driver must be smooth enough to not be the cause of the kart’s handling issues. The Nut Behind The Wheel is the FIRST thing to fix, not the last. Are you turning-in too early and causing handling problems exiting the corner? Are you stabbing the brakes, then not smoothly releasing them, then stabbing the throttle as you exit the corner? Make sure you’re not the problem before you get all analytical on your kart!
While there are some “natural” drivers out there who never need to think about this stuff, they are few and very far between. I think the last ones were Keke Rosberg and Gilles Villeneuve. Respectfully, you are NOT that kind of driver, so please get past that as soon as possible. You need to break (not brake) each corner into sections and must be able to recall at least the best and worst from each track session, and each corner, and each corner section. Before you do any of that, you’ll need to admit that you’re not Ayrton Senna. 
So you just ran a session and you come back into the pits… Now it’s time to think about the most important corner on the track. Start there, then work your way to the other corners. Which corner is the most important? It’s usually the one leading onto the longest straight. Divide that corner into sections and think about each section. Ask yourself the following question:
“Where am I having to wait for the kart??”
Is the kart not turning-in fast enough? Are you having to induce too much steering to get that inside/front tire back down to the stripe at the apex? Are you having to hold or add steering past the apex (big no no!), and then wait to get back on the throttle or wonder whether you’ll drive off the track? As you analyze your turns, remember that counter-steering counts as “waiting for the kart”! Any correction to the wheel, to make the kart behave, is an example of having to “wait” to do what you really want! Counter-steering on exit is especially damaging to your lap times.
Here’s another way to look at it: If you went back out onto the track and drove every corner a little faster than your brain told you, where would the kart fail you? Steering that was a little too slow entering the corner? A rear end that kicks out when you get back on the throttle earlier??
If you go faster and faster (slow down less and less), the kart will show it’s weakness. As long as you get smoother and smoother with each incremental “raise”, you’ll be able to detect where the kart needs “more”. In other words, jerking the wheel at turn-in (because of the increased entry speed freaks you out) will corrupt the test. You need to make a real effort to TRY and carry more speed into the corner, but you MUST not become part of the problem. When you do it right, the kart will reveal its weakness to you.
The great Bill Talley once put it best: “If the front end turns-in too quick, keep going faster until it won’t. Then we can make it turn better and change the gear. It will never sing down the straight if it hates the corners.” Hmmm.
Theoretically, you should be able to make the steering faster and faster, and then enter the corner smoother and faster, then carry more and more speed through the corner. Once your brain (and reflexes) catch up to the higher level of operation, that level will become the “new normal”. More corner speed + smaller gear = lower lap times. Simple!
Seems simple enough, right? Surprisingly, most drivers don’t think of it this way. Even when they’re given a kart capable of faster speed and lower lap times, they “use” that extra to simply run the same lap times more comfortably. If comfort is your ultimate goal, you should find another sport.
The next time you’re at the track, keep asking yourself that one question: “Where am I waiting for the kart?”. If you don’t have an answer, go back out and smoothly try to drive at 110%, then come back into the pits and ask again. Once you identify the segment of a major corner that needs improvement, make adjustments on the kart to compensate. If you tune the kart correctly, what used to be 110% will now be the new normal. After those gains, go back out and repeat the process.
If you’d like to discuss driving or setups, call TKS any time at 214-882-6823 or contact us through our main website at TheKartShop.net.
