I can not remember the exact corner, but I do remember the aha moment. It definitely felt like an awakening. Then the challenge was, and is figuring out how far back was the right amount. I still find myself underestimating.
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I’ll also add that @Terence_Dove has a great chapter on overtaking as well as braking in his book
https://store.kartpulse.com/product/learn-how-to-master-the-art-of-kart-driving-terence-dove/
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Another skill is learning how to gear your kart to have a tall enough gear to be able to roll by people, while keeping up a good mid-corner speed.
I spent a good part of this season learning how small of a rear gear I could get away with, so that I didn’t hit the limiter too soon down a straight and couldn’t pass. Or pass at the beginning of the straight, only to be re-passed by the end of it.
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Thanks for all this information Mike. I might be able to practice some of this with my wife as she often comes with me when I use A&D session as practice. At the track where I do my racing they have a ‘Pull Aside’ sign for slower drivers. It’s great for having others not get in the way, but, does make it hard to practice these moves.
I next time if it’s just me and the wife I will see if I can start thinking longer term for the corners and setting up passes.
If ya really want to practice infinite passing, sim is perfect for that
I used to set up 30 lap races with maxxed AI (28 cars I think).
Start race, pass them all. Pit. Do it again.
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Here’s a good topic on the subject.
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at Canaan there is a sharp right gander after a high speed left handed. People tend to slow down more to stay inside the left handed to setup for the right hander. All you have to do is stick with them and than go wide with more speed. Boom you are on the inside for the next turn and there is nothing they can do.
people take this right hander and go all the way wide but turn hard to the outside for the next left hander. If you are right behind them stay inside and when they move to the outside you will gain enough space to pass them
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When you start racing with equal talent, and if you ever get to the point of getting everything out of your Kart, you’ll find it is nearly impossible to pass on the exit of a corner unless the competitor is massively blocking. You may pass further down the straight if the draft Comes into play.
Most passing in karts is done on corner entry. It is almost nothing more than a race to the apex. Keep it that simple and see if that helps you.
Having a partner to practice with is a great thing.
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I think I mentioned it in that other thread I linked, but I think what scares a lot of people is the idea of being on an unusual line, and having to “get by” the other guy before the corner. In reality, all you really need to do is brake a foot or two later and get next to the guy before apex. I think that makes it sound less daunting than the notion that you need to beat the guy into the corner.
The big thing is getting the confidence mustered up to go for the lunge. That just comes with practice and getting more comfortable with your kart, it’s placement, and proximity with other karts.
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Thats the phrase i coudlnt think of. Beating people to the apex. some tracks have a set of corners or a chicane that makes it really easy. If you look at the two images I posted You’ll see what I mean
It’s a pretty brilliant way of looking at it. Last night, messing around, it occurred that this is totally accurate.
It can be as complicated as you want, but at end of day it’s just that simple. (Assuming your fellow racers are using their eyes).
yes, I was taken out by a fellow racer on that turn at canaan. its pretty risky because its tight, they didnt see me and turned into me and I hit the inside barrier. It was a fun race till than since I started in the back due to chain failure. Ive never been able to think of a generic passing rule and I dont thing there is one, but beating people to the apex is pretty close.
That definitely makes it sound less daunting. My local track has no breaking zones and is quite narrow. Passing is pretty limited. Hopefully I can find a spot to put it into practice
This is a valuable insight, I think if you focus effort on being more certain about your driving in general which will increase your consistency, then you’ll have a stronger base to work on for overtaking.
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Totally agreed. What I find helps for me, especially when I’m racing a new class or a faster group of people for the first time, is spend some races or practice sessions just chasing them, so I can practice noticing their driving behaviors.
Nowadays I’m spending much less time focusing on the act of driving the kart, so now I can put my attention on the behavior of my opponents. Once, I feel more comfortable with understand how they move around, I can start choosing corners that I want to start to practice showing my nose.
Back on the subject of mock battles… maybe a few videos like this in karts would go well…
If it doesn’t do it automatically, jump to about 28min:
Haha!
You’ve stumbled on Russel Ingall and Paul Morris, both winners of the Bathurst 1000, and at least 1 Australian Supercars Championship. What these guys don’t know about racing isn’t worth knowing.
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Russell Is one of the best overtakers in the game (along with Lowndes). They don’t call Russell ‘The Enforcer’ for nothing. I am still working on my YouTube series for new karters. Passing and mock battles may have to have an episode
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Rippah! I do love me some mad Australians. Nice punt.
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