The "Perfect" Corner (karting)

Check out what I've got to drive in 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P515KI2lg0Y

About as perfect a corner as I've ever driven. By no means is it faultless however!

Real-time footage suggests that I'm not using any steering wheel to change the kart's direction. For the most part it is done with delicate brake release, throttle application and body weight shift to rotate the kart into a slip angle that uses up all 4 tires' maximum grip. At half-speed, we see that I am in fact using minuscule amounts of steering correction - one extremely slight mid-corner correction and one tiny increase in input to avoid the rumble strip, as well as extremely subtle corner entry input. On a normal average fast lap I'm probably using about three times the steering angle as in this clip. We can also hear a very nice whistling sound from the tires - indication that the inside rear is picking up off the ground.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• karting
• kart
• infineon
• onboard
• helmet
• cam
• 125cc
• gopro
• jim
• russell

[KartingApexKing]

O MY LORD. You took a corner which degree is greater than 100 without barely steering. That is nothing perfect.

Seriously you are asking for a serious bashing when you post such a video. It may look smooth but i can grantee if you gave that kart to some national karting drivers. They will reduce the time in that section of the track, even if it did not look as 'pretty' as your stint.

Ignorant little shit

[MadCat360]

@KartingApexKing Finally a man with an ego nearly as large as mine! Well met my friend.

As the old saying goes, "given ignorance and confidence, success is assured," so thanks very much for the compliment!

[SRobinson59]

That was pretty good! What type of kart do you drive? engine/chassis It seems like in the slow-mo the kart is a little unsettled in the middle of the corner. 

[MadCat360]

@SRobinson59 If I recall correctly the chassis was a TrackMagic. The engine a Rotax. It was a 30mm chassis I think, basically in full stiff configuration.

[MadCat360]

@rsoxboy I would like to point out that most of the best coaches in sports don't have amazing credentials. I'm not saying I'm a good coach, I don't do any coaching. I just have a huge ego. So shoot me.

The inside rear wouldn't be off the ground if maximum grip wasn't being generated - that's G forces. Due to the rear tires being fused together in a solid axle, strictly speaking, it would be physically impossible for the kart to turn quickest if the inside rear was on the ground.

[MadCat360]

@rsoxboy If the inside wheel is off the ground, and it is capable of generating 0 grip, then wouldn't you say it's at the maximum of it's capabilities at that moment? ;)

[cdoleoj1]

A lot of people here that have never race a Kart and don't understand Kart set ups are downplaying the video, try to approach a corner full speed with only rear brakes no ABS turn the car while braking on the rear only with out spinning, corner hard enough to lift the rear inside and then put the power down hard fighting the 2 to 3 G cornering loads all this with out turning the wheel, really some people need some perspective, it seems easy until you are on the driver seat.

[cdoleoj1]

@KartingApexKing Yes I have driven Karts before, I currently compete en TAG Masters with a CRG Iame 125cc. I understand what you say on the body weight shifting, but regardless of it, that was a good corner, its all on the setup. I do use a "high" seat position to have more leverage at cornering and a tight fitting seat as I don't like to be moving around much. I prefer a good set up to having to move around on the kart to compensate, again, this is a pretty dam good corner

[KartingApexKing]

@cdoleoj1

Seriously have you ever driven a kart before?

In proper racing karts i can take similar corners without hardly any steering input. Just with the use of body shifting and nice throttle control.

In corporate karts, heavy biz chassis enforced with a barrier protecting the edges of the kart. I can still take similar corners without hardly steering.

[KartingApexKing]

@MadCat360

BTW this nickname was given to me by a few mates. Since i overtook a rotax max senior 125cc in my dads old 100c old vortex engine powered kart on two wheels around a tight corner. Was truly a fluke since i only wanted the rear to lift. But anyways i never knew that the old legendary karts were that lively.

[timvracer]

I've driven that corner a zillion times (Infineon, last corner national layout), and it is a lot tougher than it looks to get it right. This is a good corner for sure, nice job. I never got it right! :-)

[landyachtzrider86]

@ThEtErRoRiZeR7r011 ^ this

[123aellis]

@rsoxboy its the lack of a differential that makes it kind of awkward; but he is right... if both rears are on the ground, the kart will try to push forward and understeer wayyyyy too much. to get a good balance, you need to jack the inside rear quite a considerable amount.

[peregrinodel88]

very bad corner my son la toma mejor