Karting Moments That Make Me Go "Wow" at a Racing Driver's Skill - Part 1

From brake-steer magic to unconventional lines - the subtle skills that made me re-consider what can be done in a kart

I can’t fit them all into one newsletter, so this weeks article will be part one of the astonishing moments that changed how I think about kart driving mastery.

What did I just see??!!

In my years observing racing drivers, I've witnessed a few moments that leave you in awe. These aren't always the obvious displays of skill, but rather the subtle nuances that separate the truly exceptional drivers from the rest. They're the kind of things that make you exclaim, "Now that's a driver!"

This reflection was sparked by what I saw with my driver last week. As the chequered flag fell at Whilton Mill, one of my drivers visibly relaxed into his natural style. He flowed through the first two corners - a not quite flat left into a very quick right - with remarkable grace.

His synchronicity with the kart, the way he handled the bumps, and the complete absence of unwanted oversteer or understeer was a picture of perfection. It was a moment that made me pause and think, "Oh, look at that."

Now, the question as to why he become a genius on the in lap is another story! But it got me thinking about magic moments I’ve seen before. Hopefully it gives you a few insights that get you thinking about your own pursuit of excellence!

1. The Brake-Steer Kick Turn

There's this 90-degree right-hander with a fast approach at PF. The ultimate braking point is right at the turn-in. Some drivers faff about braking before or on the turning point. But then you watch Danny Kierle - world champion from about five or six years back. He doesn't noticeably steer the kart. Instead, he gently loads it up before the turn-in.

The thing that actually turns him in is using the brake just the right amount. The kart goes through the corner perfectly every time. If you tried to do it yourself, you'd realise it's incredibly hard to pull off with accuracy time after time.

When you watch someone lap after lap, steering the kart right on the absolute limit with their feet as much as the steering - or in this case, more than the steering - you just go, "Oh my god." That's number one on my list of jaw-dropping driver skills.

The Kick Turn Technique: How Top Drivers Find Time in Tricky Braking Zones

2. Opposite Lock That Fools You into Thinking its a Mistake