How to Avoid an Accident

Motor Racing is dangerous & kart racing is no different. With drivers as young as six years of age driving at 60mph +, incidents can occur. It is often a neglected area of racing as drivers try so hard that they sacrifice safety for performance. While such events cannot be fully prevented, all drivers have the responsibility to avoid one as much as possible for the safety of everyone. In today’s article, we will look at three major components that a driver must focus on. Taking note of these aspects can drastically reduce incidents over a weekend.

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Suited Up Booted Up

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A safe and secure racing space starts with the person at the helm, the driver themselves. Make sure to invest a good amount on getting high-quality and top of the line safety gear. There are many accessories that a driver may possess, so let’s go over them.

The helmet and racing suit are the basics that all drivers must wear even if they are not competing. A helmet helps lessen the force of impact as well as avoid any head trauma and injury. It’s wise to not skimp on quality when it comes to the racing helmet. You’ll find the more expensive helmets have better safety design and materials to soften any blows the head may incur in a racing incident.

The overalls prevent any unnecessary fluids from making contact with the body such as gasoline. Its main purpose is to prevent any fire-related incidents from directly impacting the driver’s physical well-being.

Moving on we have the racing gloves and boots. The former can help with not just preventing any fire from spreading, but also helps protect the driver as they are racing. These gloves help prevent any scratches or blisters from forming in the hands. Next, the boots serve as an extension of the overalls as they protect your feet from any foreign objects.

Lastly, we have what is called a neck brace and a rib protector. These are not a compulsory item in all racing categories, but are often a great investment for younger drivers learning their craft. The brace helps a driver withstand the high g-forces a driver experiences across a race weekend. They come especially useful during accidents where g-forces have a sudden spike, providing that extra protection. For abdominal protection, the rib protector is there to do the job, providing the same protection that a neck brace would give, albeit in a different section of the body.

Spatial Awareness

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One of a driver’s most important skills is being able to instinctively be able to figure out how much space or what are the dimensions around them. This can be best seen in an overtake where drivers are often separated by less than a meter apart and somehow not crashing into each other.

Make sure to get a feel of your kart’s dimensions as you go around the track for practice. It also helps to know what are the limitations of your kart and your surroundings. For instance, if you find yourself on a slippery track and cold tyres, maybe sending the kart down the inside comes with a higher risk of contact. As the tyres warm up, and the grip increases this type of overtake will be easier to pull off. Also passing on the inside of the track comes with its own risks, as this part of the circuit is less used, meaning less grip in the braking / overtaking zones. When you’re trying to overtake a driver who’s on the better part of the track, with more traction, commitment is paramount to get into that driver's peripheral vision so they give you racing room.

It is also good to put emphasis on your five senses. Always keep an eye out on how close your competitors are. If this is too much, audio cues can also give you an idea of what is around you. Do you hear a revving engine getting louder and louder? If so, then the driver behind must be on the attack. These small details, when combined, make up the formula to a successful and fruitful race weekend.

Anticipation

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With more than 30 drivers on a race track that is less than one kilometer long, no matter how much we prepare there will always be a tussle or two in the opening corners. Sadly it may be the end of your race if you are directly caught up in this.

It’s super important to be looking as far ahead as you can to see what is happening. If you’re starting in the mid-pack, look towards the front row. If there’s a skirmish there, it gives you time to take evasive action. Are karts starting to spin or lose control? Anticipate in which direction these karts are going and drive the opposite way.

Too many drivers focus on the front of their kart, not 2-3 rows in front. So when an accident occurs in front of them, they don’t have enough time to process where to go, and they drive straight into the incident.

Despite looking easy after it has been broken down for you in this article, the conditions on track are far different. There you will find only a few seconds to make such a crucial decision. These reflexes are what makes drivers almost superhuman and is something that can be trained and practiced.

CONCLUSION

Accidents are all but inevitable in not just go-kart racing, but in any form of motorsport. However, these mishaps can easily be prevented. Aside from the obvious fact of following the rules, there are more miniscule details that can help. Despite the large investment, purchasing top of the line safety accessories can prevent any further damage caused by the accident itself.

Having a view of your surroundings is also paramount. Be aware of the drivers around you, the limits of the track you are on, and other smaller details that may cause an accident. More importantly, have trust in the drivers around you that the competitive spirit of karting is lived in a safe and friendly manner.

In the event something does occur, put yourself in the shoes of others. Try to decipher what you may have done differently in the same situation.

To elevate your go-kart racing career to the next level, Kart Class has your back! Under the tutelage of a multi-time race winner and Australian kart champion David Sera, a variety of training programs are in store for you.

For beginners and champions alike, and even track guides on the most notorious race tracks out there, Kart Class will be sure to take you from the back of the pack and all the way to the winner’s circle!