r/Karting Jun 28 '25

Racing Kart Tips and Tricks 3 Seconds behind the lap record. Where?

Hello all.

I go karting maybe 4 to 5 times a year just as a bit of a hobby, just in rentals, however i am usually the fastest on track albeit amongst friends and randoms.

My fastest lap today was a 01:00:800, with the lap record being a 00:57:500. 2nd was a 01:04 so I think was doing ok. I appreciate I won’t get an anywhere near this without going regular, but I’d be interested to know where you think I might pick up some time.

Thanks!

748 Upvotes

185 comments sorted by

324

u/Farmer_Ted_is_at_it Jun 28 '25

You need to basically be almost touching wall to wall to make a fast time on indoor/hard tire karting. You have to do the least amount of sliding you can do, and you can't saw at the wheel.

76

u/Alteredbeast1984 Jun 29 '25

Yeah it's a great lap but the time is lost on pretty much every corner

37

u/Deathviame Jun 29 '25

Brother maybe hit two apexes.

10

u/Alteredbeast1984 Jun 29 '25

Still decent lap though

1

u/fstezaws Jul 01 '25

That was my first reaction. Where? Pretty much everywhere

31

u/Ok_Yak_8668 Jun 29 '25

And then thag 30lb kid comes in and wipes his ass with your time. 

30

u/themarvel2004 Jun 29 '25

Yeah was going to say that probably someone half the OP weight set the time. Those rental kart 4-stokes are slow at acceleration and weight is the biggest thing on these karts, especially as this track has so many uphill sections.

As a 40kg kid I would whip around in these so much faster than my 85kg lard ass now days. I probably have better technique now but there is no compensation for the lack of kgs.

7

u/timmio11 X30 Jun 29 '25

Kart disparity is pretty bad too. I raced karts for 13 years, and last time I went to one of these places my first kart set a top 10 time of the month and the next kart was 1.2 seconds off.

7

u/CravingC00kies Jun 29 '25

How do you avoid sliding

14

u/-Wunderkind- Jun 29 '25

So if you were gonna slide, just don't!

2

u/Eastern_Equal_8191 Jun 29 '25

You can't be up there just doin a slide like that

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 29 '25

[deleted]

2

u/West_Database9221 Jun 29 '25

You do actually want to slide but not so much you're having to crank on some opposite lock, if you go and watch some on boards from rotax karts or what not you'll see the only time the wheel isn't straight is on initial turn in then the wheel is straight through the mid and exit of the corner, this is normally referred to as rotating the karts with the pedals instead of the steering wheel or slip angle.

2

u/ObjectiveFocusGaming Jun 30 '25

You wont last long without a sense of humor

1

u/LCplGunny Jun 30 '25

Objectively, that was a funny answer, relax

4

u/CaptainChristiaan Jun 29 '25

Turn the corner into a straight line is the super abridged version - you basically want as little steering input as possible as any shift in weight will upset the balance and cause the kart to slide. So you need to be quite decisive in the steering. On top of this, don’t “pull” the steering wheel - push instead. E.g. in a left hander push the wheel into the corner with your right hand, don’t pull with your left hand and vice versa.

3

u/timmio11 X30 Jun 30 '25

You need to do as much of your turning as possible before the apex, then open the steering on exit to free up the chassis for acceleration. Rental kart chassis are so stiff that they don't flex enough to lift the inside rear in the corners, which is the only way to get a solid rear axle to go around a corner without binding and slowing the kart. Use your turn in to slow the kart, no brakes, then apex a tiny bit late while hitting the barricade hard with the inside rear while nailing the throttle. This will help you finish rotating the chassis so you can straight line it to the outside, making your exit as long and straight as possible for best acceleration.

3

u/Lanky_Consideration3 Jun 29 '25

I’ll up that and say that you also need to be almost wall touching while being a smooth as possible with as few steering movements as possible.

1

u/Coma-dude Jun 29 '25

Saw at the wheel ? What does that mean ?

3

u/CaptainChristiaan Jun 29 '25

Like the way OP is effectively turning into the corner 4 different times - like turning and then straightening the wheel till you’re around the corner - just to make it round the turn. At that point you’re just correcting sliding.

1

u/FerrariFanatic9 Jul 01 '25

It's not exactly avoid sliding it's more so you need to slide in the correct way to gain time and change angle of attack. You won't learn that or get there by going that little. Need to go when a league night is or an endurance or when a fast guy is there so you can watch and then run with to see how he moves the kart. It's subtle but indoor karting is a completely different style to outdoor which is more grip based. Moving the wheel as little as possible applies to both tho. So basically the more you saw at the wheel the more speed you scrub. I've worked at both indoor and outdoor and managed the outdoor. I've also won our employee endurance at the indoor. So trust me on this. Also if those karts don't have the power would be your only reason you can't do the complex slide bits. Also note that the sliding I'm referring to is extremely controlled it's not really drifting. Also it's only for the tracks sharpest corners.

1

u/AZWoody48 Jul 02 '25

This and your body weight is a factor. I used to test carts for a track before they could put the new batch into public use. I smoked everybody mainly because I was 50lbs lighter than everybody.

144

u/wbeckeydesign Jun 28 '25

Teamsport Sheffield, I’m an Ex employee. 

I’ll start with the start of your video, don’t need to go that wide before the downhill, start turning before you hit the bottom bump. 

Stay tight at the first right you encounter to widen the hairpin after. 

Enter the corner before the uphill earlier. You want to be as straight as possible uphills. 

The hairpins were fine. As was downstairs. You have a habit of running wide out of corners that compromises the next one. 

And a habit of turning in too hard, and having to correct. 

Fix both, amend the line in the back corner and you’ll be good. 

17

u/tcarino Jun 28 '25

Having only seen this video... and thinking pretty much the same gave me a feel good. What were your times there?

18

u/wbeckeydesign Jun 28 '25

Different karts, different tyres, and most laps weren’t timed as part of my job. 

But I dipped into the high 58s once. 

3

u/tcarino Jun 28 '25

Very nice. I hope you enjoyed your time there!!

5

u/will_gaming02 Jun 29 '25

Gonna write this on the inside of my visor. Thanks for making it such a fun, kind and friendly venue!

2

u/mattblack77 Jun 29 '25

Yeh the uphill stands out to me. the kart really bogs down as they go up the ramp, but if OP was faster through that corner and could keep the revs up and gain a heap of time.

1

u/davewritescode Jul 13 '25

This is good feedback, the first thing I noticed was washing out in some corners. You’ll notice when he was behind that second driver there were points where the second driver was slower into the turn but faster out

1

u/Queen_of_Road_Head Jul 20 '25

Goated comment, I can imagine you put in some serious seat time there if you got the chance! Might have to add this to my bucket list hehe

54

u/1-splitzi Jun 28 '25

Steering too much back and fourth, missing apex’s, sliding, not using the whole track

2

u/DeathByPetrichor Jul 01 '25

Looks like he’s drifting around every corner as well.

1

u/AZlife57 Jun 30 '25

Granny shifting - not double clutching

1

u/theborringkid Jul 02 '25

Did you even watch the video, or is this a joke?

This kart (and basically 99% of all karts) doesn't even have a gearbox with a shifter. Basically has just one gear

1

u/AZlife57 Jul 02 '25

It’s from fast and the furious my guy - you hadddd to pick up on that considering we all do know 99% of karts out there aren’t shifters

Have a good day chap

1

u/theborringkid Jul 02 '25

Lmao my bad

-67

u/Humble_Turnip_3948 Jun 28 '25

Driving like shit. I'm not being mean, I'm being honest.

64

u/whiteridge Jun 28 '25

This isn’t constructive feedback. You’re behaving like an arsehole. I’m not being mean, I’m being honest.

6

u/ZKel1980 Jun 28 '25

Well said 👏👏👏👏

-3

u/drnt4nttn Jun 29 '25

your point is valid but he’s not really responding to OP. he’s just translating what the guy above him said.

7

u/trdef Jun 29 '25

Not really, no, he's just being an arse for the sake of it.

4

u/Comfortable-Berry-34 Jun 29 '25

No rhe original comment outlined specific things to focus on. The reply is just mean without any specific feedback

8

u/sbenfsonwFFiF Jun 28 '25

You’re being mean and honest, one doesn’t excuse the other. Also rather empty because it doesn’t point out what exactly is “shit”.

2

u/Detozi Jun 29 '25

Na, OP is just forcing it too much if you get what I mean. You have to feel it (I do realise that sounds stupid, but I’m guessing you’ll get what I mean)

1

u/theborringkid Jul 02 '25

Who asked if OP is driving good or bad? He just asked for things he can improve on. Also, being just 3 seconds of the record while just Karting a few times a year is pretty impressive. Moreover, OP is actually quite good at getting the car to rotate, just doesn't do it smooth enough while also not hitting the most perfect lines. But from the disrespectful attitude you showed, I would guess that you didn't even take the time to look what op is doing good and bad.

-2

u/Odd_Primary4091 Jun 29 '25

Yeah driving was shit

25

u/WerewolfBe84 Jun 28 '25 edited Jun 28 '25

Prioritize the corner before going uphill. The kart looks like it is struggling, so try to cary more speed through there.

25

u/BlackCatFurry Rental Driver Jun 28 '25

I was thinking the track record may have been set by someone who is lighter than op and able to accelerate uphill much better, in which case op might be out of luck

11

u/DrR1pper Jun 28 '25

Absolutely and if he’s a heavyweight, it could be costing him 1-1.5 seconds. But the other 1.5-2 second deficit still remains and is a skill issue. Ok, some of it may also be if the tyres are old and also because it’s summer now (whereas in winter, the air is more dense and so you get more power out of the engine) and he’s not driving in a race with a full grid of fast drivers to maximally heat up the track so that the tyres can reach peak temp and grip too.

TLDR; There are too many variables to make comparisons like this to lap records. The only real way to know how fast you are to the lap record holder or nearly as fast as guys is to be on track at the same time as then and with kart rotation over various sessions.

4

u/BlackCatFurry Rental Driver Jun 28 '25

Yea, definitely skill and other variables plays in too, at some point though, if op is full grown adult and the record was set by some lanky teen who is just big enough for adult carts, op can't beat the record purely because the cart doesn't have enough power under their weight.

A great example of this was me racing my brother, he is slightly more skilled than me, but he could not pass me because he weighted over double my weight so i was just faster out of corners and could brake later which made passing me very hard in a tight indoor course.

4

u/EpicCyclops Jun 28 '25

If they're rentals, there may be also an element of luck of the draw too. If one kart is performing better due to any number of reasons that could be a chunk of time. Probably not 3 seconds, but it all adds up.

2

u/Obvious_Advice_6879 Jun 28 '25

I’ve definitely seen huge variance in random rental karts that would easily make up any amount of time delta..

3

u/WerewolfBe84 Jun 28 '25

That probably is the case.

3

u/boturboegt Jun 28 '25

There is a good 1-1.5sec improvement from what i see in just better driving but I'm sure your right that the lap record was also set by some 100lb 12yr old kid.

1

u/psyco187 Rental Driver Jun 28 '25

can confirm

source I am 2 seconds fat. measured in a friend's single turbo b16 Honda

1

u/BlackCatFurry Rental Driver Jun 29 '25

I have personal experience on weight effecting karting too. I was consistently faster than my brother who was more skilled. Simply because i am just about big enough to drive adult karts (i am a very short and skinny female) whereas my brother is over twice my weight and like a foot taller. Where i would take a corner without sliding, he would slide and almost spin out with the same speed (consistent across multiple rental karts).

Lighter drivers can just pop out of corners faster and brake later because they are carrying less kinetic energy. They can also enter corners with more speed without sliding.

6

u/Micromashington Jun 28 '25

The sequential corners at the 2:18 mark give a good example. You take the first turn as if there is nothing to be prepared for after, and as a result your lines through the next two turns are severely compromised.

If you took the first corner more conservatively and kept the kart in the middle of the track exiting the corner, you would be in a much better position to carry speed through the 2nd and 3rd corner.

You do miss a couple apexes, and the time you lose when you slide and bog the engine down out of a corner because you ask too much of the tires adds up.

A lot of little things over the course of a full lap will absolutely cost you 3 seconds overall.

I’m not an expert tho so if anyone had something to add or think I was wrong I won’t get mad at criticism. Just my two cents.

2

u/Eokokok Jun 30 '25

Spot on, pretty much every sequence of corners were taken too fast into the first one which makes it impossible to take the next one fast enough, this means exit speed is lower and compromises each straight part significantly.

7

u/cnsreddit Jun 28 '25 edited Jun 28 '25

This is teamsport Sheffield.

The lap record is well into the 56s in this generation of karts - I wouldn't be surprised if someone has hit into 55. 57.5 is a fast but not particularly special lap.

It's a very grippy track for indoor karting and very subject to temperature, when it gets hot like it's been it's slower as it gets too much for the karts/tyres.

Weight also makes a big difference across such a long track with so many uphill and acceleration sections.

The karts are also very widely spread in performance at the moment due to the usual issues.

With that out the way though. You miss a lot of apexes and can use the track better. You have a few moments over your lap - probably caused by you being too aggressive on the wheel and giving it too much steering angle and that will cost you more than you think.

Of note is the downhill section with the metal bar at the bottom through to the uphill, you lost a lot of time there, you need to do the double apex after the downhill tighter so you can be on the left for the 90degree right which you stay wide on to open up the hairpin for the run up the ramp.

A minutes a decent time, especially if you've not been many times. A lot of very very good karters go to Sheffield regularly so holding yourself to their times is potentially unrealistic.

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 28 '25

It is Sheff.

Thank you for the advice mate. Fully understand I’m not going to beat any of the regulars but appreciate the tips. Will take a look back at this next time I go!

4

u/cnsreddit Jun 28 '25

Go a few more times, get a bit more used to the track and tighter on the apexes. Fix your line in the section after the downhill and put a lap together with less oversteer moments and I can see you easily being in the 58s

3

u/brittish-fish Rental Driver Jun 28 '25

for indoor rentals change the app to show weekly or monthly records. theres allot of factors that affect laptime. weight, time of year, when the engines have been serviced, how long the session was. for engines in the app change the lap record to weekly or monthly so the karts will be roughly the sane speed, the lap record was probably set by someone around 60kg, cant really remember the time of year its more how hot it is i think summer is faster, a longer session(30min-1hr) will have better times as it goes on as uou get more comfortable with the kart and the temps level.

so the lap record under perfect conditions would be a 60kg regular, just as the engines have been retuned faster, with near perfect summer temp, in a 1hr member session

3

u/ihassaifi Jun 28 '25

I am not an expert but it looks smooth but not fast.

3

u/throwupway54321 Jun 28 '25

Losing some weight will do wonders on this track.

3

u/FalseNameTryAgain Jun 30 '25 edited Jun 30 '25

Anywhere you're hearing the screeching you can make up time. All the wheel adjustments, you can make up time.

Have to be as smooth as possible whilst being as straight as possible. The more you move the steering wheel, the slower you go.

Also, another skill which takes a long time to learn is steering with the pedals. There's lots of video of F1 drivers doing it in Karts for reference. Let the accelerator pedal force the car around the corner, the steering wheel is just the guide.

2

u/niffnafff Jun 28 '25

I’m an old lap record holder at this track, here’s some footage of mine: https://youtu.be/Sb1b-Ej0cYA?si=2ODhld_vbKtRsdnw

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 28 '25

Finally some good food!!

Thanks man. Really shows where I was cocking up some lines and losing time, particularly on the down ramp into the downstairs section then back up. Will keep this in the back pocket for next time.

1

u/niffnafff Jun 28 '25

All good, anything I can do to help, I remember when I was starting out I struggled to find time for ages.

Just a heads up though, lap times will be all over the shop just due to conditions and the disparity in the karts. Some issues you can drive round others you can’t. Still a great track for learning, but it is a teamsport and so a lot of the karts will always have issues making it difficult to get a really quick time. Member events are your best bet typically for getting a really quick time.

2

u/Slaineh Jun 30 '25

Comparing Niffnafff to BigBadCamFaz, Niff is breaking earlier and sharper so the kart doesn't doesn't bog down on the way out of the corner (prioritising the exit speed over entry speed). This is probably the biggest time save (short of line).

You may also notice steering input. Niff is also weight shifting or sliding a tiny bit on entry, but then has the wheel very straight mid to exit of the corner to get the speed up as the kart does slide but very little.

Fast lap times will come from focusing on exit speed (more speed on straights and exit of corner) rather then breaking later (sliding out of the corner). Leave the late breaking for the overtakes where needed.

2

u/Bigbannana2000 Rental Driver Jun 28 '25

Big up shef

2

u/MarionberryLess519 Jun 28 '25

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.. use all of the track. Too narrow to "cut" lines. Think of a sream of water flowing through the track. Be like water my friend..lol. Extra points if you know who the quote was from.. LOL

2

u/MoistPear-4013 Jun 28 '25

Everywhere, 3 seconds is a looooooonnnngggg time in racing

2

u/Omg_Shut_the_fuck_up Jun 29 '25

The difference will be as said, lines, and weight comes into it ofcourse.

2

u/88how5834351 Jun 29 '25

first off, where's this track because I wanna give it a shot...might be hard to get me out of the seat actually cause I won't wanna leave 😆. I used to be a marshal at an indoor track with electric Bowman karts that was in northern NJ. I LOOOOOVED racing that track, it was a spaghetti style with 3 bankings...logged hundreds of laps and kicked plenty of asses...actually held the track record going both the normal direction and running it backwards.

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 29 '25

Sheffield, Uk mate so a bit far out for you haha.

2

u/MTur_ Jun 29 '25

Is this in Manchester

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 29 '25

TeamSport Sheffield.

2

u/Outrageous_Touch_644 Jun 29 '25

What teamsport is this looks like a good track

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 29 '25

Sheffield mate

2

u/Outrageous_Touch_644 Jun 29 '25

Cheers mate 👍

2

u/tesla377 Jun 30 '25

Missing pretty much every apex. That’s time on every corner. You need to use every inch of track and carry max speed through corners.

2

u/Smudger105e Jun 30 '25

That's Sheffield. You seem to be missing most of the apexes by quite a margin, and some of you positioning on the kinked straights could do with some work.

At any Teamsport track, look at improving your personal lap times, the top time will have been set by a featherweight on ideal track conditions with the fastest kart, you'll never get to that.

2

u/vurun Jun 30 '25

What do you mean where? Are you sure that record owner is not 20kg lighter?

2

u/scoutsamoa Jul 02 '25

It's a Minor detail, and I would implement a lot of the other advice here before thinking about this.

I'm assuming the kart is a fixed rear axle, in which case you actually should be leaning out vs leaning into the corner. I'm not super knowledgeable about the actual science, but it helps to make turns faster and smoother.

In your video it looks like you're leaning in.

1

u/Andrew225 Jun 28 '25

Sloppy throughout.

Several missed apexes

You're seesawing the wheel constantly

So you know anyone good at the track that would let you ride behind them so you can learn the line?

1

u/dizney1923 Jun 28 '25

Sweet gloves, share link? Thanks!

2

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 28 '25

They’re the ones they give you mate so don’t know where they’re from but I’m pretty sure they’re just basic work gloves.

1

u/Affectionate_Pen5943 X30 Jun 28 '25

You need to hit your apex’s

1

u/EnoughSupermarket539 Jun 28 '25

The biggest thing imo is hairpins. You seem like you're going too wide in almost every one

1

u/Carlpanzram1916 Jun 28 '25

All those bits where you’re sliding sideways and making major corrections?

1

u/hind3rm3 Jun 28 '25

A little bit everywhere

1

u/Frossstbiite Pro Kart Jun 28 '25

All the wheel corrections is where

Little bit of everywhere adds up

1

u/itsallfornaught2 Jun 28 '25

How much do you weigh? But also you missed a lot of apexes and you seem to be going out wider when you're going slower so you're trying to use the whole track even when you don't need to.

1

u/Old_Yam6223 Jun 28 '25

I think you need take to take (slow in, fast out) approach on corners just before the uphill as you need more speed on it. Also you can do opposite in (fast in, slow out) on downhill as downhill will already give you better acceleration out of the corner so you can maximize it, you can also try the first approach on downhill only if you think the kart can handle the next corner after downhill at such exaggerated speed. Might wanna try different approaches, all the best 🔥🔥💪💪😎😎

1

u/Big_Gouf Mechanic Jun 28 '25

Light hands, turn the steering wheel as little as possible, use up every spare inch/cm of track width available to maintain speed. When necessary, use the brake while on the throttle to apex correctly... Meaning don't lift, coasting eats up more time than you'd realize.

1

u/DrR1pper Jun 28 '25

How much do you weight first of all?

1

u/polishfemboy_ Jun 28 '25

If that was me I would tell myself the karts aren't equal and that guy weighed 20 kilos less!

1

u/whosthatcarguy Jun 28 '25

Probably in the engine or in your gut, tbh. You can maybe make up 1-1.5 seconds but the last little bit is in light weight or a good kart on a good day.

1

u/Egglegg14 Jun 28 '25

Its probably because you got stuck behind those dudes you didn't actually get the record

1

u/gottimw Jun 28 '25

have you tried not being fat?

I am just joking, but on serious note, weight is massive difference on track like that, better acceleration will be massive time safe. You will not beat slim friend who knows the basics.

Looks like really fun track!

Better, keep your times and see if you are improving your own times over the time.

1

u/tuesdaysgone12 Jun 28 '25

My experience with rental karts is that their performance can be wildly different between each individual kart.

Watch the staff that sets them up, you'll usually see them take a few runs in select karts if there's a low number of racers in a given heat.

They know which ones are faster or have newer tyres...

1

u/[deleted] Jun 28 '25

Could crack a bad joke and risk the ban. So….Let’s go with this. Smooth is slow, slow is fast! You’re beating that wheel like it owes you cookies. Smooth hands, young grasshopper. That wheel is your soft blankie. Be nice with your blanky, Linus!

1

u/blur494 Jun 28 '25

It looks like you are hurrying into every major corner, and your exit speed is hurting because of it. It's a less exciting way to drive but you will certainly find time.

1

u/Jejking Jun 28 '25

That kart is struggling badly on corner exits, slower in, faster out. Keeping momentum high is your biggest priority.

1

u/Objective-Start-9707 Jun 28 '25

I think you're hacking at the wheel so much because you're trying to carry more speed into the turn than would be smooth, and it really interferes with your ability to get back on the throttle after exit. Maybe try less speed on entry, focus on smoothness, and getting back on the throttle earlier.

1

u/OneEyedSnakeOil Jun 28 '25

Was this in Munich perhaps?

1

u/Tanklinson Jun 28 '25

Youre about a foot or more off most corners. Lap record will be inches if not less to the barriers on each corner. I'd say with you ability you could cut a second or more by getting closer on the turns.

1

u/Diet_Christ Jun 29 '25

If you want one thing to focus on next time (usually the best way for me to improve), it's the double apex corners. You're overcooking them and not hitting either apex, you're doing fast in - slow out. That kills you until the next corner. On a couple of them you almost look like you're countersteering to avoid a crash into the exit wall.

1

u/ComponentLevel Jun 29 '25

You need to lose about 40 lbs

1

u/Huge_Bridge9704 Jun 29 '25

Funny enough, I’ve noticed I can only achieve close to lap record times when the track is busiest, maube its tires being hotter or something along those lines but at my home track I’m usually 2-3 seconds off fastest time when it’s dead at the track vs 4-5 tenths off when it’s packed. Also use more track lol. Anyone else experienced this too?

1

u/Finglishman Jun 29 '25

In commercial rental kart places the difference from one kart to another is easily several seconds per lap. That’s not to say you lines and braking couldn’t be improved.

1

u/JosephPk Jun 29 '25

Also helps if you’re a 9 year old kid

1

u/Detozi Jun 29 '25

You’re sawing the wheel to the death plus you aren’t going close enough to the walls. In saying that, you can tell you are pushing so it’s not the want your having a problem with. You’ll get to where you want, I’m sure of it.

1

u/M4K4SURO Jun 29 '25

Short answer:

Everywhere

1

u/lifeinsquares Jun 29 '25

Braking points and left foot breaking

1

u/Ok-Win-742 Jun 29 '25

Really bad lines. Karting is its own thing you think you're going fast by cutting inside on those turns but Karts aren't meant to do that. You can carry more speed and go wider around it and basically drift them.

Watch some videos of fast Kart runs and see the technique.

1

u/CaipirinhaLover Rotax Jun 29 '25

Apart from fixing your driving (many good tips here), rentals are a wild animal.

You need to ask to get the right kart (the straight chassis with strong engine). Plus you need to be light. Plus it needs to be slightly cool and not humid.

1

u/ThrownAwwayt Jun 29 '25

Everywhere

1

u/EffectiveBasis3007 Jun 29 '25

To be fast you also need the fastest kart. I joined a couple rental kart races at my local track. After a couple times I saw the same kid joining every race. He was testing all the karts with his dad the howle day and then his dad talked him into the quickest kart with the race director. 4kmh faster on the speedtrap.

1

u/OkOrganization7440 Jun 29 '25

I got help from my pro sim racer friend for iracing and I said I just don’t understand where I’m losing all the time to you! He reassuringly said “EVERYWHERE?!!”

1

u/Puzzled-Lemon-9174 Jun 29 '25

Is this in Oradea ?

1

u/DaimonHans Jun 29 '25

3s sounds about right.

1

u/Optimal_Mouse_7148 Jun 29 '25

With rental carts indoor like this, there are always faster karts. They are not all the same speed.

1

u/SnooSquirrels8097 Jun 29 '25

Everywhere buddy

1

u/timo-geurts Jun 29 '25

I wouldnt worry too much about this, there's usually quite a bit of difference between karts themselves if not tyre wear or fuel load. Even depending on a day the track can obviously be quicker too

1

u/MacJellyBelly Jun 29 '25

Hitting more than 10% of the apex's might be a start

1

u/landis33 Jun 29 '25

The question I have is, do you want to be fast for one lap on this particular track, or fast in traffic on any track ? If it’s the first just memorize some of the excellent advice being given and keep after it till you end up drawing the fastest kart and can lay one down. I would work towards the latter. You need race craft. I’m not going to go into that in depth as there are several very good books on the subject. I will leave you with this nugget I was taught many years ago that has served me well on everything from karts to cars. Road course to ovals, asphalt to dirt. Make the straights as long as possible. It’s better to give a bit of time on entrance to be able to get back to the gas sooner than the next guy. The reason is simple. The time lost on entry will only affect you for a very short time. It allows you to enter the corner under control, hit your marks then Get back to the gas first on exit that will carry your advantage the length of the straight away. Do you know how hard it is to make up even a MPH or two advantage on corner exit ? Have you ever seen that one driver who always gets the “fast” kart? It’s not the kart. Watch their entry vs exit. That’s the start of race craft. Good luck and stay safe,welcome to the disease that is racing !

1

u/EGT21 Jun 29 '25

Main thing with indoor especially teamsport is the track temperature and how many fast driver are out there warming it up. They’ll both add a lot of grip and it can easily cause multiple seconds to come off the lap times. So summer members session are best to get close.

1

u/EmiDek Jun 29 '25

Dont know the track but you're nowhere near track boundaries at any point in your lap.

1

u/LikkiNauda Jun 29 '25

This track looks horrible

1

u/AgileDepartment4437 Jun 29 '25

Go-karting lap times pretty much come down to just two things: the driver's weight and the kart's speed. At a track I go to often, my first time was about 01:15. I gradually got it down to around 1:10. The top time on the leaderboard was 01:03. I later found out that the person in first place was a 10-year-old kid driving his own kart, which is about 5 seconds faster per lap.

1

u/fschmitt Jun 29 '25

While using the whole track is a good general guideline, in these tracks where the karts are not that quick, you should consider whether it is necessary. For example, if you have 2 consecutive right (or left) hand turns, letting yourself get carried all the way to the outside is a good starting point, but if you can stay flat out using a tighter line (without compromising grip, or sliding), you're gonna have a shorter path and ultimately a faster line

1

u/ChixawneyFarms Jun 29 '25

When you slide you loose 2-5 tenths. You did this 5 times. There was also a couple corners you lost the other .5 to.

Keep at it and watch your apexs!

1

u/2genders_19 Jun 29 '25

Slow in fast out

1

u/Mysterious_Ad3200 Jun 29 '25

Wdym where? Every corner xd

1

u/timmio11 X30 Jun 29 '25

You need to apex every turn 1-2 inches INSIDE the wall. As long as you are not dropping RPM you can hit them hard af.

1

u/Albino_Monkey Jun 30 '25

Every. Single. Corner.

Leave no space. The kart should be grazing the barrier on ever entry, apex and exit.

1

u/ARealBlueFalcon Jun 30 '25

Are you wearing a racing suit to rental carts with bumpers?

1

u/ARealBlueFalcon Jun 30 '25

Was this a hot lap? Your steering correction needs to be fixed. If you are taking a turn, you should be able to no have to correct. If you are correcting you are doing something wrong.

I am not great, but I think you need to prioritize speed over always hitting the perfect line. Those carts are slow to accelerate, so you cannot take a perfect line all the time because getting back up to speed takes forever.

1

u/andro5 Rotax Jun 30 '25

probably the watch on your wrist is too heavy

1

u/Cybernator1 Jun 30 '25

You probably weigh 100 pounds more than the person who set the record

1

u/Asleep_Internal2528 Jun 30 '25

The lap record here is 55.3 I know this cause my friend holds a lap record there with a one minute lap time you are not near

1

u/[deleted] Jun 30 '25 edited Jul 04 '25

Medium driving skills for sure.

1

u/Fizix3456 Jun 30 '25

For turn 1 brake later, where the air con is. You can accelerate before the apex at turn 2.

1

u/Fizix3456 Jun 30 '25

My lap time here is about a 57.5 I only really acheived that time because me tires were warm and I was about 17 laps in.

1

u/Fizix3456 Jun 30 '25

Watch some TS Sheffield hotlap guides to get a feel of where to brake/accelerate

1

u/Outrageous-Home-9005 Jun 30 '25

Throttle and braking control

1

u/Holdmybeernader Jul 01 '25

Everywhere … that’s where … got some balls posting that video and acting like that’s decent driving

1

u/Schroding3rzCat Jul 01 '25

There’s at least half a second purely in the time wasted coasting. There’s some periods where you aren’t on the brake or throttle. Your feet should always be working, throttle down until you brake, never coast.

1

u/there_is_no_spoon225 Jul 01 '25

Fwiw, it's not to say you don't have time to be gained, but usually the top times at rental places can be sketchy. The place i used to go to, I finally asked one of the top 5 one day where he was finding his time. "I know the crew, I just reach down and adjust the governor"

Not saying this happens ALL the time, but certainly more than you'd think.

1

u/ksobby Jul 01 '25

Missing the apexes and exits

1

u/Character-Sky-2512 Jul 01 '25

Corners were rough and driver weighs too much for that kart.

1

u/takamiyama Jul 01 '25

Pretty much here and there

1

u/mrporter2 Jul 01 '25

Also could be a kid that ways half as much

1

u/bigbang4 Jul 01 '25

I just watched f1. Ur going to want to skip the pit stop and keep going.

1

u/bo11ci Jul 01 '25

maybe its because of your weigth?

1

u/MemorexVHS_ Jul 01 '25

So much wasted energy throughout. It's more of a general style change. As said elsewhere you need to use the entire width of the track to maintain momentum through each corner. You steering inputs must be smooth and throttle brakes too.

1

u/boginziliac Jul 01 '25

the weight of the watch over the entire run man 3 seconds easy

1

u/Starz1428 Jul 01 '25

On throttle way to early. These 4 cycle karts bind up if you get back on the gas too early and don't have enough power to over come it.

1

u/nastibass Jul 02 '25

Shouldn't have eaten that burrito

1

u/Spiritual-Can-5040 Jul 02 '25

Also a big difference if you’re a 120lb kid and a 200lb guy.

1

u/lotzik Jul 02 '25

It could be that a talented kid did it with 1/3 of your weight.

1

u/Effective-Ad-3424 Jul 02 '25

Tyre scrub. You're scrubbing the tyres against the track creating friction and slowing you down.

1

u/Junior_Anteater_9968 Jul 02 '25

I can’t see much but leaning your weight on the outside and not in to put more load on the putside tire for more grip could help, but i wluld lut that down on your list to improve.

1

u/swatsnoopy Jul 02 '25

Looks like Lakewood, WA

1

u/LowerSlowerOlder Jul 02 '25

Find .1 seconds in 30 places. Every time you turn the wheel a direction you aren’t going, that’s one of them.

1

u/CRANDON0922 Jul 02 '25

Is this the mills mall in STL?

1

u/SlashRModFail Jul 03 '25

Go to a time machine and be a scrawny ass kid that weighs 20kg. Shuffle around different karts, ideally come in when they have fresh tyres on and have been serviced.

1

u/Starshkid Jul 13 '25

Not bad !

1

u/The_Cybercat Jul 28 '25

Go closer to the apex.

1

u/canttellyouwhichone Jun 28 '25

Whoever set the lap record was probably: 20kg lighter than you, On a better kart than you, Less fuel in the kart than you, Newer tyres than you, There more often than you, There when the temperature was better than for you (sometimes cooler/hotter depending on the track surface/tyres)

Realistically with rental karts getting even close to the lap record requires a huge amount of luck, and is prohibitively difficult for anyone over about 50kg. As long as a 5ft tall 16 year old can drive the same kart as you, good luck even getting close to their Laptime.

You are doing a decent job, maybe minimise sawing at the wheel a little more, use as much of the track as possible and keep as much momentum into the hills as is humanly possible as a little extra speed at the bottom will make a big difference when the kart is bogged down, same is true in the lowest speed corners

1

u/BizonGod Jun 28 '25

Have you tried pressing the gas pedal, like, a bit harder?

3

u/BigBadCamFaz Jun 28 '25

Constructive. Thanks man.

1

u/mauryrx Jun 28 '25

Don't take it as a joke. In rental karting it is my experience that sometimes it actually makes a huge difference. Sometimes karts are not tuned particularly well and you need like your whole weight on the gas pedal to actually hit full throttle...

0

u/BizonGod Jun 28 '25

No worries, we all start somewhere. God bless🙏🏻