Myth vs. Fact: 4 Karting Misconceptions Explained

[@badgumby9544]

When I started kart racing in the 60's we were always told to never look behind you. If you couldn't see a kart with your peripheral vision, then there was nothing to worry about. But back then there were no bumpers, no nerf bars and no bodywork. If you tried some of the stuff I see today, you were going to get hurt. Much cleaner, respectful driving back in the day. And we had very few accidents because of all that.

[@kierantr5]

Things sure have changed since then

[@Rozie369]

yea this definitely was a big factor that made me dislike a lot of karting series… It’s like these kids just didn’t care if they punted you off track, just walk it off and say it’s racing… they get too comfortable with all the safety standards which is great but… drivers will always push limits

[@Minx5892]

I don’t know if I agree. Drivers back then would race the same as today if they had the safety we have. Maybe it has caused overaggressive driving, but I find hard but fair racing and rubbing with people much more satisfying than being given tons of space and essentially handed a position because we don’t want to cause each other serious injury. And then there are a few drivers who are always clean who get hurt because of one error of judgment. So no, I don’t think improving safety has been a negative, nor do I want bodywork or anything to be removed, any less than I want modern safety features on cars removed. Racing is more intense and people get hurt less. It sucks when you see people in NASCAR or F1 do sucky moves but it’s better than the alternative (and wreckers can get a taste of their medicine as a lesson).

[@ImTheRealChef]

I saw Pats in this video! My home track. Very cool.

[@rms-vp6hf]

“First rule of Italian motor racing… What is behind me is not important” - Franco Bertollini

[@itzshummy101]

4:20 MY BROTHER IN CHRIST, I'VE HAD SIM RACING SESSIONS AFTER WHICH I HAD TO TAKE A SHOWER BECAUSE I WAS THAT SWEATY AND YOU'RE TELLING ME IT IS NOT A SPORT? (and disclaimer because I know someone will assume Im a 130kg overweight never seen the inside of a gym mf, Im currently studying health and fitness training, I ran a 7k at 6min/km pace, not blisteringly quick but also it was kind of a relaxed pace for me, I train muay thai and Im in fact really light for my height so I know when something is and isnt tough physically) Everyone who says racing isnt a sport has not driven a car or kart to it's limit for anything more than 20 minutes straight

[@timessix8434]

I totally agree and I would even say that a 10min + 2 laps race is very, very exhausting, at least in the faster classes. I drove in the ICC (todays KZ2) in the early 2000, and I was pretty fit then, but by god, that was tough.

[@fabriciolamana4106]

Mf last year I had a nationals race that was ran under 95°F (35°C) in a 20-min race, with a muscle spasm on my back from earlier that weekend, the clothes under the racesuit were crying for help Especially a 2-stoke kart puts a lot of pressure on your neck, these mfs who say karting isn't a sport never actually tried driving them, and only ever drove those slow rental karts that go slower than your average walking speed

[@Rozie369]

Ducking is like .1-.2 on tracks with lots of straights… but the aero on these karts nowadays is so good… like you barely feel the wind on your helmut and if a solid draft is .25 a lap then a tiny little helmet is like 1/4 of that

[@ianhabiuk9848]

Now in my experience tucking down the straight helps in qualifying but no really in the race as pack usually tend to develop and rarely see single kart breakaways. Now I did only run 4-stroke LO206s at GoPro Motorplex (one of the tracks featured in the video) which are obviously much slower and require smaller more gradual inputs

[@cutoverpark9596]

Probably a silly question but why don’t Karts utilize a small mirror so you can check behind you rather than turning??

[@kierantr5]

Unlike cars karts have pretty good visibility so theyre not really needed. Also add in the extra money, hazards if they fall off and its not really worth having them

[@DctrBread]

for my part i prefer not to focus on the physical aspect of whether karting is a sport, but the skills. Tons of sports out there where freak physical abilities aren't what puts you on top, even including basketball and baseball if we must be honest, but consider shit like skiing.

[@dustinzito]

Racing is Not a Sport…Whoever Said that Need to Grab a Seat….in Tha Back! Bro would you be able to make a video about the different classes of karts and engines?

[@kierantr5]

@@dustinzito I'll put that on the list

[@ImLehwz]

It is thought right? Motorsports

[@Yoursecondfavekid]

Can you make a video on how to start a shifter cart! Also thanks for the vid

[@kierantr5]

I would if i knew how to!

[@MulletMadness69]

Most of the time you are push started in one, you have someone push from behind while your in neutral then just bump it into first give it a little throttle and ur good to go, you can also push the kart then jump in and do it yourself but it’s not easy lol. If you’re starting it on a stand I can just twist the rear wheels with my hands while it’s in first gear to start it. If that doesn’t work, try wrapping a ratchet strap around the rear tire and pull it hard and fast while in 6th gear tends to work well.

[@Yoursecondfavekid]

@@MulletMadness69 thx bro!

[@tomweuts]

looking back is not so much bad in a way of whats behind me youre twisting in youre kart affecting balance and youre steering wheel weve tested this whit a pilot who was always lookin over his shoulder and one who never did the one who looked every time he looked the data show steering movement sometimes even a bti frantic we showed him the data and and he realy tried to only look forward he dropped 0.7-0.6 seconds so very drastic results there