Unimpressed gokart run

[ferhankov]

So driving a go kart, was unimpressed with myself at the fact I kept sliding out. It just rained and we had dry tires which could've been a factor but I think hitting the brakes too much are a problem. When doing turns - hairpins and whatnot - do you brake or let go of the accelerator?

 

[landuse]

That depends on what you want to do. Sliding round corners is pretty much what is going to happen each time unless you are going slower. All you gotta do is countersteer and then pump the accelerator once you get round the bend

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Trying to describe "performance driving" in a sentence or two probably isn't going to work out well. You're going to have to practice. What I can suggest is brake early (before the entry to the turn). If you lock the brakes, the rearend's gonna kick out on you, so you need to practise threshold braking. Basically, it's just on the "threshold" of locking up, but not quite. You want to get off the brakes before actually entering the turn, or the weight bias will be too far forward. Now, you can either coast or gently throttle thru the turn, then start getting into the throttle as you're coming out or...

After entering the turn, drop the hammer (floor it). The rearend will kick out (assuming sufficient power and live axle) and countersteer your way thru it. This is what we call fun.

If you're new at this, it will take some practice. Timing is important, and you need to get a feel for your brakes and throttle, weight biasing, traction, etc. Besides- practising this stuff is FUN!

 

[ferhankov]

Thank you, I just needed some professional peptalk to allow myself to understand the way things work in the go kart seat.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

some professional

Professional goof-off artist, maybe.

the way things work in the go kart seat.

Same way it would work in a RWD full-scale vehicle really, with minor allowances for 2-wheel-braking and a more rearward weight bias. Then again, some folks have never (and may never) drive a full-scale RWD vehicle, so the above may not help.

FWIW- I'm old school- to this day and until I shuffle off this mortal coil, I hate front-wheel drive...

 

[OzFab]

Trying to describe "performance driving" in a sentence or two probably isn't going to work out well. You're going to have to practice. What I can suggest is brake early (before the entry to the turn). If you lock the brakes, the rearend's gonna kick out on you, so you need to practise threshold braking. Basically, it's just on the "threshold" of locking up, but not quite. You want to get off the brakes before actually entering the turn, or the weight bias will be too far forward. Now, you can either coast or gently throttle thru the turn, then start getting into the throttle as you're coming out or...

After entering the turn, drop the hammer (floor it). The rearend will kick out (assuming sufficient power and live axle) and countersteer your way thru it. This is what we call fun.

If you're new at this, it will take some practice. Timing is important, and you need to get a feel for your brakes and throttle, weight biasing, traction, etc. Besides- practising this stuff is FUN!

In short, brake into a corner & accelerate through it...

Professional goof-off artist, maybe.

Same way it would work in a RWD full-scale vehicle really, with minor allowances for 2-wheel-braking and a more rearward weight bias. Then again, some folks have never (and may never) drive a full-scale RWD vehicle, so the above may not help.

FWIW- I'm old school- to this day and until I shuffle off this mortal coil, I hate front-wheel drive...

I've driven both & I can tell you from experience, what works in a RWD won't work in a FWD & vice versa. For example, in a RWD, if your rear starts to slide & you punch it, it will slide worse but, in a FWD, if the rear slides, punching the throttle will pull you out of the slide...

As for your dilemma, as mentioned above, find an open area (just in case you mess it up) & practice cornering; brake in & accelerate through...

 

[ferhankov]

Just another question, going full speed and then sharp turning, with the lightweight of the gokart, is there a chance of flipping? (Sorry about the hollywood-like question)

 

[landuse]

Just another question, going full speed and then sharp turning, with the lightweight of the gokart, is there a chance of flipping? (Sorry about the hollywood-like question)

There is always a chance of flipping your kart. Maybe less on loose gravel than on tar.

It has a lot to do with the karts center of gravity. The higher it is, the more likely you are to flip over. A low COG with a wide wheel base makes for a much reduced chance of flipping

 

[jandj]

How you drive it also depends on what kind of kart it is. With a "traditional" (rear engine, live axle w/skinny slicks) kart sliding the turns is the best way. You hardly use the brakes at all, throttle control the slide through the turn to scrub off speed. With a modern performance kart you can run wider tires and have better brakes so it drives totally different. What kind of kart are you driving? As for flipping, the quickest way is to put wide sticky tires on a "traditional" kart. The weren't built for them and will bicycle you on your head in a heartbeat. I've seen plenty of pics of an old Rupp or Fox that someone has built with modern race wheels and tires. All I think when I see them is "Wonder how long until it's upside down?"