How to Brake Super-Deep
A video masterclass on hard late braking into a hairpin
This week is my favourite demonstration of elite level braking in a kart, all on video with an 11 minute analysis. So you can be sure of what we mean exactly by braking hard, going in on the nose and keeping the front planted using the brake. No audio this week because its all on the video.
I love braking, and I love hard braking because, well, it looks beautiful. A kart with a bit of sideways action on the brakes cannot be beaten as a driving spectacle. But its wasted unless you can take hard braking deep into a corner.
The ultimate form is taking the braking deep because:
You can brake even later if you carry on braking to the apex
The kart leans onto the front tyres giving better steering response
The kart lifts the rear giving better jacking and turn in
The better front grip preserves front tyres
Eliminates mid corner understeer giving a crisp exit response
How to perform on the nose deep braking
This week is a follow up from last weeks steering masterclass - and this is the real gold from that lap. Nathan Chafer is sublime on the brakes, going hard on the brake and as deep into the corner as possible.
Deep braking is usually hard to spot, but fortunately for us he gives the game away because you can see his left foot and you can feel how he is taking the braking hard all the way into the corner.
I write about going in on the nose a lot, but this video makes it so much more evident.
Here is what spectacularly good ‘going in on the nose’ looks like without me yapping over it:
The analysis Video
Fast feet. Firm hit on the brake
Threshold limit of tyres braking creates small amount of opposite lock and controlled rotation
As kart begins turn in, braking is still hard. Pressure regulation and feel has to be magic level to do this without losing the rear.
The corner arc. After rotation is done steering goes to neutral then slight turn in angle as kart tracks a perfect arc toward the late apex.
Left foot comes off brake pedal very late! Then immediately right foot rolls onto the power.
Zero rear slide as kart makes perfect arc and through the apex, delivers drag free exit.
Here’s the analysis vid:
