The Basics of Karting Excellence

21 Measures to grade drivers on when they want hard and simple numbers to improve on.

When you watch a really great karter and you pick out how they can steer with their feet, or run through an S-bend with practically zero steering angle - I bet you can say:

“ …yeah I can do all that already.”

It’s really not uncommon to be a driver who is able to do everything that the best drivers do, but not get the results that your level of skill deserves.

Now, you may well have disadvantages - because the drivers at the front get the best kit and all that, but I bet you know you could be a lot closer to them. Or if you had a little something extra about your driving, you could convince the engine builders to give you a shot with something a bit more tasty!

Then you could really give the top pilots a run for their money.

If that’s you here’s what I would do:

I would stand and watch with a clipboard looking like a health and safety officer, grading you on every single aspect of every corner for a whole practice session or race.

Then I’d score you.

Why is this the solution?

Because if you have the skill to hit every corner right, you have to do that every single time. And unless you are measuring it properly, then you won’t apply the focus needed.

That’s because when you are behind, there’s always other stuff to chase, other distractions.

When really all you need if you have the right skill and knowledge is to hit each aspect of the corner right every single time - that’s all there is to it.

Scoring you will reveal that you aren’t doing that.

I would break it down like this.

First I'd ask you exactly how you want each corner to work and your braking style, and any other style choices you have. Once we agree every single factor that you aim for makes perfect sense, then we lock it in

Then I can hold you to those commitments!

Once you measure this stuff, you can demand improvement. Drivers tend to respond by improving the accuracy immediately, just by paying attention.

And repeating problems become discussions, and ways to fix a problem. That increases focus again.

Here’s what I will measure you on, literally standing by the track frantically ticking boxes and making quick notes for the whole run - from the moment you exit the pit lane to when you cross the finish line - nothing will be missed.

Corner Entry

1. Apex hits - I literally tick a box - you either hit your preferred apex point or you missed it.