Thursday, July 3, 2008

Kart Racing School

If you’ve ever had dreams of being a successful race driver, then you’ve probably imagined a scenario where you actually compete for the pole position on track. But the reality for most people is that they actually have little to no background when it comes to racing, and when put out on track, will actually have no idea on how to drive properly to get the best time. Most street driving habits will result in understeer, whether resulting from braking too late or steering too little at corner entry, so now it’s easy to see the need to learn how to drive properly on track.

Learning To Race With Karts

For most, learning the basics of driving through kart racing schools is a good way to actually learn track driving basics, as well as compete in a popular sport which also gave rise to formula one stars. Karting is a very competitive sport, rivaling the best touring car races in up close and personal racing action. In racing schools, with high engine outputs, no suspension, and no downforce-inducing aerodynamics, the driver factor in races is maxed out to the absolute limits.

There are classes of karts available for use during learning sessions. Beginners can start along their karting school lessons with 100cc karts, with two-stroke engines that propel the lightweight vehicles much faster than one would expect them. Then there is an uprated version of kart racers, which can reach speeds of 100mph, guaranteed to raise the adrenalin level of even the most seasoned clubracer.

Driving Techniques Learned On Track With Karts

Using a kart racer to learn and refine driving techniques is not a new idea. With racing schools, one can learn how to master the art of going fast through corners, and the fundamental concept of going fast, the racing line. The racing line is perhaps the most basic techniques, yet one of the most important to any racing sport. The basic out-in-out cornering method is taught, as well as targeting the apex for faster times, among others. Setting up on corner entry and making slingshot exits out of corners is also taught at this time.

Braking And Acceleration Techniques

Of course, along with steering and cornering lessons, the foot pedal controls are also given time so that one can learn how to fully use them to a racer’s advantage. Acceleration and braking seems deceptively easy, but actually has subtleties difficult to master. Beginners are trained to brake on the straightaways, and as they progress, master late braking, as well as trail-braking through corners.

The importance of braking points is important, because when you stop braking is more important than when you start, and learning when to open up the throttle during mid-turn is exercised as well. Expert techniques like threshold braking, which is the maximum rate that one can use the brakes without having the wheels lock up, are available for those who have mastered the basics as well.

On the acceleration side, learning when to use the full power of the engine and when to use part-throttle driving is critical to reduce lap times. It seems counterintuitive, but sometimes one actually goes faster when not stepping on the gas, especially in tight corners where control is everything in reducing lap times.

Aside from having track time, there are classroom instruction sessions that teach the concepts involved in racing. Much of the things that students will actually learn on track are discussed beforehand so that they can be prepared on what to do next. With kart racing schools, one can discover the hidden racer within, and perhaps even become the next superstar in kart races.

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