On the topic of the finer details, of course feedback is a huge factor into fine tuning that differentiates between the top step and 2nd place of the podium.
What deliberate practice and techniques while driving can one use to improve feedback in terms of handling, fuelling and engine power-wise.
( How can i give better feedback about any carburettion change ‘Dellorto ROTAX EVO VHSB’)
So that when you explain to your engineer they receive very accurate information.
ie.We had changed to a shorter sprocket and i had complained about oversteer instead of power induced oversteer leading us to make the wrong changes.
For drivers who don’t have good feedback ability or can’t articulate what the kart is doing, I advise doing a practice day making extreme setup changes without telling the driver the expected result, and seeing if they can feel what a large setup change does on their own. And I always advise to break every corner down into entry, apex, and exit and to get drivers to pay attention and feel what the kart is doing in each section. Practice days are good for this because there is no need for setting best laps or focusing on racing. The goal is just to develop a feel for different handling characteristics.
The only thing I have to add to TJ’s already excellent suggestion would be to limit the analysis and feedback to one or two corners if analyzing the entire lap is too complex for the driver.
This could be a corner or sequence of corners with which they’re already comfortable. Sort of similar to developing golfers having a club that they “hit best”, so they may be more comfortable approaching different scenarios with that club.
The only thing I can add is that good feedback is SO much easier to get out of a driver when the driver is smooth and consistent. So as a driver, focus on smoothness and consistency.
For me, transitioning from mediocre Masters driver to mediocre tuner/coach for my kid, I have a whole new appreciation for this.
From day one, I preached smoothness over speed with my daughter, and trusted that the speed would come. I can’t begin to explain how glad I am I did that because she can come in and tell me when the kart’s off a little, what she’s feeling, and where in the corner she’s feeling it, which almost always aligns with what I’m seeing from the sideline.
If you overdrive the kart, brake, turn-in and go to throttle at different points every lap, blow apexes, etc. - there’s no way you will develop a feel for the kart, and you’ll never be able to provide feedback. In that case, you might want to stick a good driver in the kart just to know that there’s nothing seriously wrong with it (for example, a bent frame or a seat that’s mounted in the total wrong position can make karts hard to drive consistently). If something is seriously wrong, fix the major problem, then learn to be smooth and consistent, and eventually you’ll be able to provide better and better feedback.
