I’ve been selected, among other drivers to test out a new program in our country running LO206 engines, here in Eastern Europe. Idk exactly how it works, but apparently for “advertisement” purposes, they are choosing 1 driver, who will be able to run a whole season for “free”. And they were specifically hosting a rental kart competition for this matter, which i finished in high enough to qualify for. So now i’ve got 2 questions to ask:
Do the winners of these programs actually get to drive a whole season for “free”? Do these program exist anywhere else in the world, is it not a scam?
I have never driven a Sport Kart in my life, and im only gonna have 15 mins to do my best, any instant tips i can apply straight away?
First off congrats! Although I gather you aren’t quite sure if it’s marketing bullshit. I suppose the only way to find out is to take the meetings and see what transpires. If it’s a scam, some point the ask for $ comes, usually couched in some bullshit.
Not to sound like a Debbie downer but are you a hot shoe? Are you smoking everyone out there and does it make sense that you’d be offered a seat? Are you well-known and have a pretty large following on social media or have some other marketing edge?
The only guys I know driving for free are folks like Justin White or maybe TJ. But it’s not really free as they are development drivers for factory teams. Justin is developing a shifter chassis for the US market like TJ is doing for BestKart.
There are occasionally these thing like the FAT series that seems to also feature a “free” component if you “win”. Pretty uncommon but maybe folks who’ve been in the sport longer can opine. I know that Andre was offered really discounted fees when he was pro racing in England. It wasn’t free, and Andre still had to come up with money, but it was like 1/3 the cost of the normal seat with the team, since they wanted him onboard.
Racing is a business and we are the clients. But maybe just maybe it’s a legit opportunity.
So this is gonna be a wild guess, but our Local Kart series this year got a couple big award sponsors, one of them being this new “Series” that awards winners of every class with a free LO206 drive. That’s probably got something to do with it. I wouldn’t say im crazy fast, but im not slow, especially at my local. Im 3rd place for Track Record this year, which ik depends on many factors but still. And nope, i have no social media connected with karting.
You’re also talking about an established market, and OP is not. Given OP is in an emerging market, it is less uncommon. Plus, it does happen here in the US. Look at Gran Turismo when they did the exact same thing - ran a sim tournament and then offered seats in a race car. American Idol did it with singing, and just about every industry has started their own version since.
Wellp, if this does pan out, you should document the effort on social media. Would be an interesting journey and relevant to others who might aspire to it.
It’s pretty difficult for us to say if it’s legit or not. Does it cost you anything to go run it? If not, then there is no downside to trying.
Regarding whether this is a “thing” or not; yes some series have “sponsored” drivers to have free entry for the season or whatever.
For the actual driving, I would say it isn’t going to be much different in terms of speed to your rental karts, but cornering speeds are likely to be a fair bit higher. A proper race kart is lighter and usually has a softer tire. Just relax and be as smooth as you can. You can get away with a little sliding in rentals because the tire is hard but in a race kart you are punished more for mistakes.
Harder, no. But a race kart is “sharper” in most senses. Lighter, more nimble, react faster to inputs. As such you generally have to use them more delicate and precisely than rentals. The same fundamentals apply, but some of the tossing the kart around that you do in a rental to get rotation will slow you in a 206 race kart. The key is generally smooth and slow inputs.
First of all, I agree with the statement Ricky made. But I have been wondering (and I think a thread titled “LO206 driving style” is the right place to ask). How do you describe the “flick and catch” driving style to someone then? That requires a very abrupt steering movement followed by smooth holds, right? Also, how do I know when to use that vs the traditional slow/smooth inputs.
A flick usually is the preferred way for a fast corner, as you need to initiate rotation quickly and your primary concern isn’t smoothly and progressively loading the chassis up so it flexes and lifts the inside wheel.
You can kind of get away with flicking the kart around on a harder tire because the scrub isn’t as bad. But generally (especially with the new MG spec), most tires are going to be soft enough that you don’t want to be flicking the kart over the limit of the tire too much. I saw maaany very fast club racers struggle when they moved to regional or national racing because they were trying to flick the kart around, and on a track with any rubber it was just a death sentence for your corner exit trying to slide across the stickier track.
The “flick” is just a quick initial input and then basically trying to straighten your hands out as soon as you can, and letting the momentum and inertia of that initial input carry the kart through the rest of it’s rotation in the corner. The fast guys in KA or X30 are doing that in most of the fast corners.
My general rule of thumb is: fast corner, fast hands. Slow corner, slow hands.
Many moons ago when I ran more 4cycle I used to use a flick and smooth style, but that was back on yhc/ykc tires, and even on the original MG reds. Also back when the fast way on the karts and tires were a tick of slide instead of jacking. On the newer rubber (and newer karts) I have not had success trying that method, not that I race 206 much these days.
One thing not mentioned yet, I think, is the rental kart bumpers will most likely be gone. You need to be a bit more careful, when it comes to contact, or you will be bending stuff up, and/or flying a few feet in the air, potentially landing on your noggin.
