Kart becomes more physical. Lateral hop happens sooner, harder, more savage. The line has to change, become rounder, smoother and you have to drive across the really thick stuff as opposed to go “under the rubber” in the normal way.
I ask because I just got my ass kicked physically by a (for me) very modest amount of karting. Keith has a new track, which I did some testing at today.
I did not time because I suspected it was gonna be weird and I wanted to approach it carefully. I didn’t want to do my usual throw it into the deep end because I thought perhaps the braking zone might be weird with that much grip.
The track he set up is on a drift track and the rubber down reminds me of the pics you post from time to time of the rubber being so thick it creates 3D build up. Apparently they also have some sort of surface prep for the drift sessions which also contributes to the problem.
I got absolutely worked trying to figure it out. Progress made but jeez, I thought I was kart fit and pretty tough. Turns out I’m old! For perspective, I just ran a 6hr enduro with longer sessions in similar (less oppressively humid, tho) conditions and was just fine, body performed and recovered as expected.
It can’t have been the weather alone, although that was a factor. I think the rubber made it much harder work because the way the kart is so stuck down and easy to overload laterally.
I do love tracks. Oddly compelling, even when decrepit. I discovered showers in the dragstrip bathroom. But, unlike Pitt, they were really nasty and no-one in their right mind would use them.
Nah. Wasn’t pushing. The surface combined with the high humidity (gloves not really doing much when soaked) meant that even if consciously attempting to be delicate and light wheel, you would need to squeeze hard so your fingers didn’t get mangled by the inner spoke of steering wheel as it hops.
The little discord comments were to illustrate that commonality.
I think to be fast there it’s gonna involve being rounder and seeking to find the line that is most manageable and least chattery without being too damn slow midcorner. As a rental guy, this super thick stuff is new to me as our tires don’t lay that stuff down. The rubber is car rubber and some chemicals/surface prep.
We did have some clients come by and have a spin, which I sherpa’d when they needed rescue. We also got through all the karts, finding a couple that were unresponsive to the software/hardware.
The one thing I don’t get with the centurions is the brakes…
One or two of the karts have the strangest issue: the brakes (freshly bled so it’s not that) will bite and lock wheel at low to mid speed, but at EOS, front and back, the brake goes to floor.
Once you get to the next turn, you can pick up again. No krash, but thankful for massive grip when trying to steer around and not eat wall.
However,Camille was also testing and she went in pretty hard. Ouchies. But she survived her first good kart crash without obvious injury (neck/back/ribs).
Keith was saying that Tim also had similar issues with the Centurion brakes. It’s strange, either they really work or not at all. Multiple axle collars. I also don’t recall the “clonk” noise prior to braking.
In any case a very productive and interesting day. I think I’ve figured out what I’ll be doing in retirement should I be so fortunate.
Keith texted me yesterday, asking if I could come help him get some more karts sorted weds night. I’m also thinking that the league idea has real legs and I think I’ll be a part of getting that going.
It’s nice being involved like this. Fun. Weather still sucks and it’s gonna be brutal rushing there from NYC, but, life is short and what’s difficult is usually worth it the time.
My objective was to work on smoothing out the hop. Because the grip is so high, tire slipping isn’t the issue, chassis binding up and hopping like a kangaroo on corner exit, is.
Throttle out needs to be at the right time and intensity and if you simply Hulk smash throttle through everything, you gonna hurt… I have a nasty bruise/scab on my back from being tossed about.
This kart has responsive brakes that lock up nicely at full tilt. I played with some braking to make the kart behave better/less hoppy.
Every once in a while YouTube auto-selects a frame grab that makes you chuckle…
This heat was really entertaining… the rain came down even harder and the track got even more soaked, if possible.
The thing that I appreciate most about GRX is Keith’s willingness to run the karts, rain or shine. This may not seem like a big deal but most rental places do not run sessions in the wet. Keith does.
As a consequence I am able to get much needed rain driving seat time and hope to eventually become a rain racing aficionado like Tanguy or Marc.
Also, I am pleased to announce that Alec Vidal’s Touring Kart Championship has opened registration for the Aug 11 4-hr enduro:
This will be epic or a total shitshow or both simultaneously. I say this because the track is very, very physical, and those who don’t come prepared are in for a bit of a surprise.
The grip is such that it works your hands, forearms a lot more than usual. The track also, when dry, punishes exuberance into and out of corners with brutal hopping. GRX is a full body experience and it will work you. As a result, I am feeling pretty swole these days and my arms look like I’ve been doing curls or something, with popping veins.
So it is my suspicion that there will be folks struggling, particularly those that decided to try to solo/duo. 2-4 hours is a lot, here, and I’ve been hobbling about just from the non-race sessions I have been doing.
Also, please bring proper hydration. You will most definitely need it.
