Go Karting

[Bob's Orange]

I am off go karting on wednesday with 19 other folk. Apparently they do some sort of mini grand prix thing with heats and stuff. I think i'll probably be minging at it.

Found out tonight that the Northern Irish hobo Ivan Sproule will be coming along. Think there may be plenty of Hearts shirts in evidence! :twisted:

[sonicyouth]

I went go karting awhile ago, it was fun but I was useless and finished last  

The engines get boiling hot after awhile, wear something suitable or you'll end up with a fucking massive blister on your back/side.

[Rossi]

I'm even better than Gareths mate
 

[oxford_fan]

karting is ace. i'm supposed to be doing it here at uni but i don't know what's going on with that.

is it better to go nuts and slide round all the corners or do it properly and use the brake?

[Kinky Tom]

Brake late, that way if you are overtaking someone who brakes early you should get past them, likewise if someone doesn't brake they will run wide and you should be able to get down the inside and take them out too.

Anyone up for a for a forum go-karting or paintballing session sometime?

[mrs_spacey]

mmm...

paintballing

[oxford_fan]

no way am i doing paintballing with you lot, i'd look like a beaten child with all of you firing at me

[Kinky Tom]

No mate - that would hardly be fair.  Besides it is quite hard to see who is who anyway.

[Batch]

Karting is definitely something you get better at the more you go. Great fun even if you are pap though.

I swear the lightweights have an advantage over us fat bas, um, ...people of weight.

[Kinky Tom]

Yep, lighter people do get round the track quicker, no doubt about that.  Unless they are absolutely useless that is.

[Northern Red]

But lighter people also suffer with reduced 'downforce' on the corners and therefore have less traction.
It can be argued both ways.

Basically:

Fatty people - shouldn't brake late, but should try to maintain as much speed as possible through a corner as they suffer under acceleration. Take a smooth line through the corner.

Thinny People - Take advantage of your weight - Take a different line through the corner when trying to overtake someone - either jam it up the inside on the brakes, or, if confident you're faster, brake late on the outside before coming in tight on the apex of the corner and accelerate down the inside of them as you come out of the corner.

When not overtaking anyone the best line through a simple corner is to maintain speed and take a typical in out through the apex.

Remember karts are quick, but suffer appalling acceleration at low revs, so concentrate on maintainence of speed.

(Also if overtaking, brake and accelerate at the same time, although the people hate it, so don't do it too often)

I love karting as you may notice  

[Northern Red]

And to accelerate faster than your mates 'bounce' in the kart off the line, although you'll look like a tit and its not really known whether this benefits you

(and use both brake and throttle - although prepare to be bollocked)

[Northern Red]

Anyone up for a for a forum go-karting or paintballing session sometime?

Forum go-karting definately - although make it quick (before January)

[Ralphy]

I'm well up for some karting action :twisted:

I will need a map of the chosen karting circuit too to study my racing line

[walrus]

Well up for it.

I used to work in a go-kart track.  People who use the accelerator and brake at the same time are numpties - I can't see how that make any difference whatsoever in your laptime, other than smoking the clutch and fucking up your kart.

Bouncing up and down to get better acceleration is an urban myth.  You throw your weight forward which gives you a marginal burst, but then you are slowed by the weight moving backwards again.  It also bends the chassis so it'll handle like a dog!