f you want to level up your go kart racing and you are looking for ways to really improve your driving and your lap time, this is what you have to do regarding your braking.
In this article, I have set up for you five different tips that you can use and start to apply from today so that you can improve your driving and of course your lap time so that you can set some purple sectors. So, let’s start with first steps.
Focus on braking straight
Tip number one is that you have to brake straight. It’s really important to break straight, because it will allow you to optimize your braking efficiency, therefore, reduce the time it takes you to slow down the kart. So that will help you a lot of course with your lap time but also to make great overtakes. So, make sure that you are going to break straight.
Of course, not all of the times you will be able to because sometimes there might be corners where you have to brake while turning. But most of the corners, 80% of them will require you to brake straight.
So, you want to be parallel to the white line on your left-hand side or right-hand side depending where you are if the corners left or right. So, you want to be parallel to the white line and brake as straight as possible because that will allow you to optimize your braking efficiency.
Brake hard or go home
Now, this is really important. Tip number two is that you have to brake hard. And, of course, it depends from what category you’re driving. If you’re using a shifter kart, it’s going to be different. But if you’re using a mono gear car such as X30, OKJ, or OK, it’s really important for you to do that since you will optimize your braking efficiency and therefore improve your lap time.
So again, tip number one is to brake straight, and then you have to brake hard. Of course, it happens simultaneously. But make sure that you can arrive nearly at the locking of the rear wheels which is what we’re going to talk about in tip number three.
Lock the rear tires
So, tip number three, lock the rear wheels. Of course, you don’t want to make an extreme lockup, it has to be just enough for you to slow down.
So, I know this is a bit subjective, and it depends a lot from the grip on the track, the grip from the tires and also from the kind of braking system you use, the chassis that you’re using, so on and so forth.
But you should always try to be on the edge. You need to be close to two locking up if not just tiny locking up. So, make sure that you are on the limit. So, if you lock the rear wheels, you are going to be on the limit of the brakes.
Alright, so that will allow you really to slow down faster. But of course, you don’t want to overdo it otherwise, it’s just not going to be working well. So, you have to get a feeling for it. I’m sure that you’re going to figure it out, what’s the sweet spot and I’m 100% sure you’re going to make it right.
Use the kerb to open up the corner
So, tip number four is to use the curb on the braking. So, what I mean by that is that oftentimes you will notice that there’s going to be a curb on the braking left or right hand side.
So, let’s say there’s a right corner and you will see on the left-hand side just on the entry, you will have a curb. And if that curb is flat or anyways, it’s low and it’s clean so there’s no dirt on it, you will be able to use it and actually you should use it.
And if you see other people using it, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t too.
Because that will allow you to open up the corner a lot and allow you to carry more speed, therefore it’s going to be better. So now this is not entirely related to breaking since it covers also entry speed and general driving technique.
But it’s really important for you to use the curb under braking if it’s clean, if it’s flat and if other people are using it too. So, this is tip number four.
Put new brake pads
And the fifth and final tip is to put new brake pads. Tip number five is to put new brake pads. The reason for this is because new brake pads give you more performance on the braking therefore we allow you to stop the car quicker.
Now this makes a big difference as well as when you put new tires, but what I recommend you to do is to put the brake pads a couple of sessions before qualifying because it will allow the pads to do some bedding therefore be– because sometimes there’s going to be problems, sometimes the braking really change the minute you put the brake pads.
And so, it gives you a couple of session to get used to it but also to do a proper bedding. So, I advise you to do a couple of sessions before qualifying so that when you get to qualifying you have the highest amount of performance.
Cnclusion:
So here were my top five tips for improving your go kart braking efficiency so that you can improve your lap times and win your next race.
I’m really happy that you have taken the time to read this article. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me @info.celox.gg.
I will be really happy to answer your questions and feel free to contact me anytime soon.
Also, make sure you check our top 7 go kart tips to make you faster and win races in 2022.
I’m sure you can do it too 😉
