Overtaking
the Karting Competition
Like a Pro
There
you are, zooming down the kart track; the course is wide open
for several laps, then suddenly you are stuck behind a mass
of slower kart drivers, and you are boxed in like rush-hour
traffic. What do you do? You overtake them, of course! But
overtaking successfully requires some thought. Many things
go into overtaking, such as weather conditions, the track,
the other competition, your kart, and your own fear.
There
are many steps that go into overtaking that good racers don’t
even think about. But even good kart racers know that learning
the art of overtaking must be done with continual practice
and that knowing the steps that go into a successful overtake
is only just the start. Here are some tips that will help
you overtake your competitors like a pro.
Make
a Move
It’s sometimes not enough to wait until you’re
able to make your move; but rather, there are times when you
must force a move to happen. I certainly don’t mean
bumping or rubbing another kart; sometimes just the intimidation
can be enough! In karting, even a simple nudge can be hazardous,
which is why it’s not allowed; but making them “think”
you are considering it may be just the edge you need to get
that driver to waver enough for you to make your move. They
say good city drivers are the ones not afraid to make an opening
for themselves, and the same applies in karting.
The
Tiring Truth
Overtaking in each kind of weather depends on your tires.
If you’ve got the slicks on, your kart is going to react
differently to braking and accelerating in an overtaking situation
than if you’re outfitted with rain tires. Knowing how
your kart reacts can mean the difference between a successful
overtaking maneuver and a complete spinout. In dry conditions,
your braking distance can be much shorter than on wet pavement,
yet still be more slippery with new tires than with worn in
tires.
Give
‘em a Brake!
Braking can be almost an art form. From simple out-braking
the competition into a curve and sailing right by, or knowing
your kart’s brake limits will all go into superior braking
skill. It’s up to you to know exactly how late you can
wait to brake before turning your kart into a kart-wheel,
but braking is going to be the key to whether you make your
competition sweat and ease off, or move right past you. Tapping
your brakes may not help you in an overtake situation; don’t
be afraid to step down hard and leave rubber on the track.
If you are in a practice run, leaving tire marks will help
you gauge your braking ability in a corner turn.
Hey,
Watch Where You’re Going!
You know the old saying; “keep your eye on the ball”?
In this case, your eyes should be directed to where you want
your kart to be in a few seconds. This means taking your eyes
off the kart you want to overtake, and look at the space between
you. If you’re too busy watching the other drivers,
you are not only going to miss your opportunity, but could
create a dangerous situation as well.
We
All Make Mistakes…
A key to perfection is to practice messing up. You say, “what?!”
You should know what your kart will do in just about every
situation, so that you know exactly what to compensate for
in case of that very instance. We learn best by making mistakes,
so it’s actually in your best interest to try to recreate
every possible situation you’ll encounter in your kart
and prepare for it. Practice in the rain, in 106 degree heat,
and in the ice; practice hitting the curb and spinning out;
and last but not least, practice overtaking your competition,
and leave them smelling your burnt rubber.
You won’t
be able to overtake every driver you come up behind, but you’ll
increase your likelihood of doing it the more you work at
it. The key to overtaking is to not be afraid; the key to
not being afraid is knowing who your worst enemy is –
yourself.
