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Post by Henrik on Mar 29, 2002 12:21:43 GMT -5
Having heard the Pabs and RacerX are going to fight it out on the track, and I think TC is organizing also for the Indy GP later in the year, I thought it appropriate to start this thread.
So, as the title says, GO karting. Just do it! If you stumble across a track in your area, don't just think, "nah, that's for kids", get on the track and give it a try. And for the real kicks, make the step to real racing karts. You will be hooked for good from that first lap.
Okay, I just got back from the track myself, having been running in my new cylinder and piston (as some of you know, I had some truoble with the engine over winter), and am a bit worked up. But hey, it is great! Gives you a new perspective to racing.
So, Pabs and Racer, I want to hear all about your race when you are done! And, I think we need to organize the first Shamu Grand Prix.
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Post by Cine_Man on Apr 9, 2002 22:17:49 GMT -5
I got the bug a while ago... and I really enjoy trying for ever-lower laptimes at the local "timed" circuit. I don't own my own car -- I do not have the support of my family on this one. However, I think we chatted about this awhile ago, Henrik... I spend some time with my PC simulator running "openKART". However, I don't really know if I'm doing well, or not.... If you have been running this (admittedly very arcade-ish) sim... I've been getting times like 32.28 on the Germany "long" and 25.33 on the Germany "short" track.... with one 27.93 at the "Canadian" short. It might be my imagination, but I honestly think it has helped my real karting. The local kart track is an indoor one (250 m.), and the record there is in the vicinity of 18.6x seconds -- I'm consistently lapping there now at an average of within a few tenths of exactly 20. Best personal time is 19.83. These are Honda 4-cycle 6hp engines... maximum velocity I have seen on the trap is around 54 kph. Just last week I finally broke through the trap at 51. (I know these sound like low speeds, but the racetrack is housed in what used to be a small department store at the West Edmonton Mall-- its like a knife fight in a phone booth.) I am really looking forward to being at Indy this fall and perhaps racing a few of you guys! I hear that one track is owned and run by Stefan Johanson -- and it is the one that requires "some skills". Anyway RacerX, Topcontend -- have driving gloves. will race. ;D Cine_...
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Post by Henrik on Apr 10, 2002 3:54:36 GMT -5
Hey Cine! I really wish I could be there with you guys at Indy. I would love to try out the Johanson track, and maybe bump in to Stefan…he really is a great guy! I remember we chatted about the open KART, but I can’t say that I have played it much. The novelty factor wore over quickly, and the CD is gathering dust somewhere. If you feel that playing the game has helped improve your real karting skills that’s great. Much of driving improvement is in the mind. Personally I can’t say it has had any impact, primarily because there is no feel to it. I find karting has so much to do with how you feel the kart, and then modify the set-up. Trying different trajectories, and seeing how it changes your lap time might have an impact, but I would really only find a benefit if the game had the tracks that I race on. The indoor track you go to seems really short! I’m surprised that somebody has managed to pass 54 kph with those karts as there can’t be much of a straight! There are a few tricks to driving those 4 strokes on indoor tracks, and I was giving some hints to pabs the other day for his up-coming race with Racer X. I suppose I could share these with you, so Racer X, if you are reading this, skip the following paragraph! The first thing that is a bit annoying with those karts is the total lack of acceleration. I’m sure you have been frustrated on several occasions upon exiting a corner, and finding the damn kart is not accelerating! The worst is when you make a mistake and go too wide, and totally lose your momentum. Now, momentum is what it is all about! Once you get some speed on the thing, try to lose as little of it as possible. Sounds obvious, but is not always that easy. I find that I never use the brakes on those karts, except in an emergency situation. Instead I let the engine do the braking for me. For the corners I don’t necessarily take the shortest route, but the one that allows me to slow down as little as possible. Even if you might cover a bit more distance, you more than make up for it by not losing any speed. Sliding is a big no no, as it shaves way too much speed from the kart. It is fun for sure, but it hurts your lap times. Oh, and one last thing, NEVER brake while you are already in the corner, unless you want to emulate our hero Takagi. Since there is no diff on the karts, you are guaranteed to spin! You mention that you are now consistent with your lap times. That’s great, as it is from here that you will be able to fine tune your driving and see how it impacts your lap times. If you know that a normal lap is 20secs, try modifying one trajectory in one corner and see how it impacts the time. Then do this with one corner after an other, and I’m sure in the end you will have shaved at least a second of your best time. Have fun, and let me know how it goes.
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Post by da_silva on Apr 10, 2002 9:47:31 GMT -5
Another and sometimes more effective use of the 4 strokes lack of power is to keep the accelerator mashed and use the brake to control corner entry speeds. This ensures that the engine is always "up to speed". It can take a little getting used to and isn't always the best solution for every corner, but is usually more effective than Henrik's method.
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Post by Henrik on Apr 10, 2002 10:09:55 GMT -5
da silva,
we should compare methods on track. I am looking at going to Toronto this year for the CART race, so if you are around and there is a track available...
I have tried your method, and although I find it useful I rather use that for two-strokes, as they lack any grunt low down in the revs. I much prefer losing as little speed as possible with the 4 strokes, and have yet to lose using my method!
He, let's do the talking on the track I say!
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Post by da_silva on Apr 10, 2002 11:22:45 GMT -5
Tell me when and I'll set it up. Hehe. You better start training. LOL
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Post by Henrik on Apr 10, 2002 14:48:28 GMT -5
You're on! And I am reall wondering about who might be needing training! Just tell me what track you had in mind..
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Post by pabs on Apr 10, 2002 16:52:33 GMT -5
HEY!!! Don't give Rx any tips!!!
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Post by Cine_Man on Apr 10, 2002 23:21:50 GMT -5
Ah, this is the real deal.
Everything you say about the 4 cycles is absolutely true. The indoor track I go to is 7 corners anticlockwise. Essentially a big(?) three-quarter-oval, like Indy, with a short chute after turn 2 leading into an ess (3,4), another short chute into 5, RH about 110 degrees into a little longer chute into 6, which is a hairpin... and then you're back onto the "oval". Lap times go to die in turns 3 and 6. I'm improving the entry into the ess -- its a little straighter every time -- what kills me is the newbies who go into this corner "shallow" and slide right through the apex and turn it into a hairpin. Timed poorly, its THE recipe to get "T-boned" -- I'm working on a faster entry, so the eager beavers won't get the idea that its an opening. Turn 6 is my nemesis. I stlll haven't really ironed out the technique of "carrying" speed -- which I think you have rightly described as keeping up the momentum... so many times I have drifted around the apex (NO BRAKES!) but catching the slide on the tyres, losing momentum, and then finding that there just isn't any grunt available to get going again. So I try to get it smoother next time around so that 6 leads me into the timing beam a little quicker. I've already worked out where the timing device is, and drive directly to it.
A few weeks ago, I accidently tripped the timer twice -- and was rewarded with a 9-second lap with a 90kph average speed. Now thats more like it!
What is nearly as rewarding is that I used to be a bit stiff and sore, not the day after, but TWO days after karting... but that has eased off, and my shoulders are starting to feel pretty good! Heckuva lot more fun than benchpressing.
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Post by da_silva on Apr 11, 2002 16:12:37 GMT -5
Henrik, My two faves are: Protrack in Etobicoke Formula Kartways in Brampton
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Post by Henrik on Apr 11, 2002 16:19:58 GMT -5
Thanks da silva. I'll check around the web I find anything on those tracks, and I suppose I'll have a word with Eric as well. Can't let you have too much advantage! And I never seriously raced 4 strokes... We are getting ready to book our tickets soon, so I'll get back to you with dates, but I suppose we'll arrive on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the CART race, coming up from Chicago. By the way, what's the best way to drive to Toronto from Chicago?
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Post by da_silva on Apr 11, 2002 16:25:48 GMT -5
Excuses excuses. Hehe. Chicago just follow the signs to Detroit, I75 I think, might be I69, it's pretty easy though. Once you cross the ambassador bridge into Canada just stay on the 401 it's about 350Km to Toronto from Detroit/Windsor. Total drive is about 8-9 hrs.
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Post by Henrik on Apr 11, 2002 16:31:03 GMT -5
He He He! Naaa, I will not need any excuses! And I can trust you wont try a Jerez '97! Here's to the race!
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Post by da_silva on Apr 11, 2002 16:33:48 GMT -5
Hey I'm no Schumel fan. LOL. Cheers.
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Post by Henrik on Apr 11, 2002 16:39:10 GMT -5
Just looking at the Formula Kartways site.
Those are some ugly karts! What's with the roll-over bar? And seatbelts? :Freak:
Track is kinda short too, 1/4 mile....
Aren't there any good outdoor tracks?
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