General Disheartened, yet determined!

LPilling

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Driver Joined
13/3/22
Posts
2
Reaction Score
5
Trophies Awarded
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Age
33
Location
Accrington
Name
Levi
Skill Level
Novice
So I took part in my first arrive & drive session last night at Three Sisters, Wigan and whilst my best lap time wasn't the slowest of those on track, I was way off the pace of those at the front (around 2.5 seconds slower a lap). As they lapped me, I tried to hang onto the back of them to take their racing line, brake where they broke, and accelerate where they accelerated. I couldn't get anywhere close which ultimately left me frustrated and disheartened (I understand they will be experienced drivers). However, I am determined to continue and just try to beat my best time from last night. I'll hopefully be booking to go again in a few weeks.

I just wanted to ask if there are any tips people can share with me, Is it better going slow into the corner and focusing on the exit, are you at any point leaning forward to shift your centre of gravity a little, etc. ?

Final point - such a great forum for both new and experienced drivers. I'll hopefully be around for a while on here to keep in touch and share with you how it's going. Great work Adam and those posting here (y)
 
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Hi Levi!

Sounds like you're being too hard on yourself for your first time! I had my first go the other month and came back of the pack. Its to be expected. All about practice and getting as much seat time as pos to start with - get used to how the kart feels, the racing lines, pedal work etc.

Watch loads of YouTube vids and any books you can get hold of (view my profile if you wish to follow my YT channel where I also recommend a great karting book for new starters). Also talk to people at the track for advice, I find there is usually one or two experienced drivers at the track who attend arrive and drives for more practice themselves. You can usually notice them because they will be wearing their own karting gear and not borrowing it from the club for the session like most new beginners.

And of course this forum, Adam & Co are very helpful. But for now my only recommendation would be to have as much fun and seat time as possible!

Keep us updated on your journey and maybe look into starting your own karting journal on the forums - there is an area dedicated to it.

All the best
 
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There's two things that are key.
Track craft.
This is the racing line or kart placement... the line is not always obvious but is crucial to the optimum lap time. Some corners are late apexs for example... some require slow in fast out.. once you know the where you should be its then down to consistently hitting your marks.
Race craft.
This is how to pass or defend and awareness of your surroundings...which is quite hard to teach... the more you race the more natural this will come.

There are many driving techniques that experienced drivers will be doing that help the kart stop and turn rotate. But its difficult to explain here.
The best advice is to get seat time drive as much as you can and try to understand the correct racing line for your track.. kart placement is worth alot of lap time.
 
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Sounds like you're being too hard on yourself for your first time!
We are our own worst critic i guess though! I think iโ€™m subscribed to your youtube channel so i will definitely check out your videos ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ Thanks Sam.

Iโ€™m looking to go again in 3 weeks time so Iโ€™ll see how I go on then.
 
Great advice from the lads above helping out a fellow member, great to see!

Welcome to the forum Levi! If it was easy, we all wouldn't be constantly trying to improve no? I say you're being too hard on yourself.

Next time you go, set yourself a realistic goal/target to improve on from your last outing and aim for that. Even if it's a few tenths off a lap time, moving forward even slightly is progress! Don't worry too much about what others are doing, just have fun and don't use others experience and pace to put pressure on yourself. Have a chat with the lads up the front, see if they have any pointers for you. You'll find most are all to happy to help out and offer some advice on the day.

Karting/motorsport is something that looks easy. But ultimately is a very hard game to play and be good at it, among everybody else trying to do exactly the same thing. Which is why we all find ourselves on here and keep getting back into the seat to improve! Enjoy the journey and have fun is key imo :)(y)

Keep us all in the loop on how you get on!
 
Seat time, seat time, seat time. Even if you have loads of natural ability it takes a while to get up to speed.....and speed is the 1st rung of the ladder.
Speed doesn't win races, it's a prerequisite that once you have you can then work on racecraft and then consistency and finally zero mistakes and it's the last 2 that win races.

So for now just enjoy it, watch the quick drivers for lines etc, YouTube etc and only listen to those with a proven record as there are loads of experts at kart circuits lol.

Good luck and enjoy your track time, everyone started as a novice so doesn't matter where you come now so long as you learn something every time you go out.
 
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Seat time, seat time, seat time. Even if you have loads of natural ability it takes a while to get up to speed.....and speed is the 1st rung of the ladder.
Speed doesn't win races, it's a prerequisite that once you have you can then work on racecraft and then consistency and finally zero mistakes and it's the last 2 that win races.

So for now just enjoy it, watch the quick drivers for lines etc, YouTube etc and only listen to those with a proven record as there are loads of experts at kart circuits lol.

Good luck and enjoy your track time, everyone started as a novice so doesn't matter where you come now so long as you learn something every time you go out.
Spot on as always :giggle:๐Ÿ‘Œ
 

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