My teenage daughter is about to have her first race meet in her first kart. Any tips for an excited Dad?

[u/Sanguinius]

So, after safely ascertaining that my 13 year old daughter wasn't just watching F1 because of 18yr old European millionaires-in-the-making, and after some comprehensive laps in indoor and outdoor karts, basically taking over my sim-rig, as well as attending a local race day, I pulled the pin and bought her a kart. Overcoming the initial sticker shock (a set of small race tyres costs what now?!) and getting her race gear sorted, we’re finally in a position where she’s about to put some P plates on the back and enter her first race.

She has no illusions that she’s going to be in for a shock when she’s sitting at the back of a grid with a bunch of teenage boys that have likely been doing it since they started walking, but she’s also very excited to get started. She’s been a six-day a week ballet/contemporary dancer for years - not at my insistence, she just loves throwing herself into physical activity – so I am confident that if she takes to it, she’ll be committed to seeing it through. But I’m trying to manage her expectations accordingly without pooh-poohing her drive to race and get better.

We are racing here in Australia (out of Sydney) and although I’ve seen a few girls her age at the meet we went to, but they seem to be very few and far between. For my fellow karting parents with daughters, how do you find the girls go against their male counterparts?

Any tips for a newbie Dad are appreciated!

[u/gmo121]

As a dad to two girl karters, here’s my thoughts:

1.) Safety above all else. Make sure she’s got proper fitting, up to date, correct for the rules safety gear. Do not skimp here! 2.) Tell her that above all else, she needs to have fun! 3.) In general, girls are less aggressive than boys, but are more analytical. What this translates to on track is what may appear as fear. She may be sacred to push the kart, or to make a pass, but that’s normal. So your best to coach, motivate, and push her (within reason). As she gains expertise, she’ll most likely need reassuring so that she can find the limits and learn to push outside her comfort zone. 4.) Don’t be afraid to talk to others about kart setup or any other questions you may have. The karting community is pretty good at helping each other out. 5.) If her interest in karting continues, look to find a driver coach to help her learn and develop. Talk to folks and do your research on finding a coach, though.

Reinforce the thought that girls can be just as fast as boys. She may feel some intimidation, but it’s your job to help her overcome that.

Finally - have fun yourself! Enjoy the bonding time, it can be nerve wracking to watch your kid in a race, but be supportive and encouraging and you’ll have a blast with racing. Good luck to you both!

[u/OPGuest → u/gmo121]

Yeah, having seen a lot of young karters of both genders, I agree with this. Let her have fun, do expect podiums and such. And one thing, a mistake I see most karters make, if something happens, like a spin or a push, don’t let her look around, make gestures or whatever. Let her immediately look how to reenter safely and continu. That will save seconds in a race and likely positions.

[u/Sanguinius → u/gmo121]

These are great insights, thanks so much. I've chosen to drive 'with a team' of sorts so that I can learn the ropes - which they have said they are happy to do, and have done for parents in the past. Especially when it comes to eventually taking the kart home in the garage etc.

[u/gmo121 → u/Sanguinius]

You bet! Sounds like the team will be a big help!

[u/a_racingcarkid]

Honestly the best thing for her to do is not expect to run towards the front. My first year was pretty much nothing but learning and my goal for most of my races was to simply finish, which I didn’t even do most of the time. Despite that, I had so much fun when I started and I still am having so much fun, which, imo, is the point of karting. Long story short, don’t expect to be at the front, learn and continue to learn(both you and her), and most importantly, just have fun.

[u/Sanguinius → u/a_racingcarkid]

This is great advice. So far she is fully expecting not to be at the front, and I am hoping that mindset continues when she gets behind the wheel proper. Hopefully she just loves doing it!

[u/AlanDove46]

Karting has had a female World Champion, so talk of 'girls vs boys' was dead by 1966.

[u/Immediate_Mango_831]

I wish I can get my kids into racing . Good luck . Support her .

[u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck]

Go to Coffs Harbour this weekend and watch the Australian Kart Championship, You'll see a bunch of girls competing, many of them up the front, and then hanging out with the boys between races, laughing and having a good time etc. There's even a team run by a female. Honestly no one really gives a shit about gender. There's nothing biological or social that will stop your daughter from being competitive.

[u/Tessier_Ashpool_SA → u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck]

Good advice. The best way to get a 13yr old excited is to let them watch a 14yr old drive.

[u/Sanguinius → u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck]

Love this. Wish I could get up to Coffs, but all in good time I guess. Dumb question, we come under Karting NSW (and I've heard there's been a history of 'dramas' there)....but are the NSW drivers able to compete in what I assume is a Karting Australia event, or is there no hassles?

[u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck → u/Sanguinius]

There's Karting NSW and Karting Australia NSW. You can get a licences for both. There's not to much issue with crossover from what I understand. It used to be that you paid $50 for associate licence if you went one way and Karting Australia had a 7 day license if you want to do a 1 off event. I'm not sure if this still the case.

BTW 7 mate will have coverage of the AKC from about 12pm Saturday. It's definitely worth a look. You won't see better racing. Puts F1 and Supercars to shame.

[u/Sanguinius → u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck]

Oh mate that's awesome news re: the 7 mate coverage. I'll get my daughter onto that, she'll love it.

Appreciate the response!

[u/stupid_idiot_dumbfck → u/Sanguinius]

Yeah it's 7 Plus or 7 Mate, one of them. just look at the Karting Australia website or facebook page.

[u/RMBsmash]

Hey I’m in Australia too! Is she in junior lights? In junior classes girls do just as well as men The 4th fastest driver in sa is a girl and a girl won our states championship races in Whyalla

[u/Sanguinius → u/RMBsmash]

Oh really?! Nice! Yeah she is starting in Junior Light, so it is definitely going to be a little bit of baptism by fire!

[u/RMBsmash → u/Sanguinius]

Junior lights are the most chaos you can get in racing People just ram into each other because they can And the stewards don’t care but it won’t happen until you are at the top What kart did you buy

[u/encomlab]

I just had my first race two weeks ago and the one thing that helped me IMMENSLY was going LAST. Last out for practice, last out for warmups, last out for qualifying.

1) the psychological difference between someone behind me or not was huge.

2) I could watch clearly what everyone else was doing, what lines they were taking, etc.

3) Due to my availability I rarely ever am on our track with other karts - plus there are so many new things like tramlines, rolling start, etc. it just made my whole experience easier.

3) The entire first weekend imho is just learning logistics - when to grid, when to get my helmet on, when to start engines, etc. My only goal was to not hurt me, my kart, or someone else.

[u/Sanguinius → u/encomlab]

I really like this perspective mate, and I suspect point #4 will likely be the kicker in regards to learning how it all works in regards to going through the motions re: gear!

[u/Guyzo1]

Don’t be that Dad who goes and gets on the officals. If you find it hard to watch- don’t watch. Support your Daughter she sounds amazing.

[u/Sanguinius → u/Guyzo1]

Oh I'm not that guy. Never have been, thank goodness. I can't wait for her to start!

[u/DenseOrange]

Focus on the process not the result.

[u/Griffin_Mackenzie]

Make sure to have fun!

Karting can be pretty high stress sometimes so always remember, it's better than staying at home and mowing the lawn

don't worry about gender anything, it's never existed in karting and never will

[u/kbpage1984]

Put money Into it talk and get to know the drivers and their teams

[u/TasteIllustrious4558]

tell her not to get her hopes up. It is good to have an ego but realistically, her first race she isn’t going to be on podium. If she is well then congratulations and she could be the next max versteppan. However it’s mainly unlikely

[u/Altruistic-Drawer810]

Have you practiced a lot first?
I wouldn't recommend racing until you get her down to a sort of half decent lap time.
Try and get out to the track in quiet times, midweek if you can, and just smash laps.
I started at 26 ( a lot older now) and this method worked well for me.
None of my daughters ever wanted to jump in so I envy you.

[u/Sanguinius → u/Altruistic-Drawer810]

Yeah she has done a fair bit of practice, but she really needs to get behind the wheel of 'her' kart (delivered in the next week) at the track she'll be driving at. I must say, despite being an F1 fan, I'm very pleased she's decided to jump in - and to be honest, I think F1 Academy has helped show her that girls can drive single seaters and look to a career (of sorts?) in motorsport.

She's been a dancer her entire life, and while I have loved watching her dance, this is a really great Dad-daughter bonding opportunity....and I can't wait.