The initial laps of a race is where a driver can gain the biggest time advantage over their competition. In fact, before the very first “racing” lap, work is already done on what is known as the formation lap. This foray sees the drivers separated by just inches from each other, warming up their tyres for grip. Without it, they may lack sufficient grip heading into the first corner. This beginning stage of the race is crucial for optimal grip and performance during a race. In this article, we will dive into how you can properly warm up your go-kart tyres before the race begins.
Gradual Acceleration, Progressive Braking
Brake Pedal on the Left, Accelerator on the Right! Source: DR Racing Kart
Start slowly and build up speed gradually during your warm-up lap. Sudden bursts of acceleration can cause the tyres to lose traction, but the excessive force against the track surface will put heat into the tyres.
Afterward, begin to apply the brakes gently at first and gradually increase the brake pressure as the lap goes on. Hitting the brakes hard on cold tyres will see them lock & screech easily, but as the tyre temps increase, so will your traction.
The Power of Weaving
As the driver begins to gradually accelerate, the next phase is to weave side-to-side across the track. This lateral movement increases friction between the tire and the track, warming up the edges of the tyres. Start with mild weaving and increase the intensity as the tyres gain some warmth. Once the kart begins to respond better, that is a sign that the tyres are beginning to reach their full potential. Try weaving more aggressively after this so as to further increase tyre temps.
However, don’t overdo the weaving! Do it just enough to scrub the surface as excessive weaving can make the kart unstable when the tires are cold. Don’t push too hard early on, as cold tyres don’t have much grip.
Similar to a green flag lap, braking in a straight line is also a must in the formation lap. After weaving the kart back and forth, position it in a straight line and brake. This is to estimate the grip available in the tyres as well as to generate extra heat in the brake pads before you commit 100%.
The First Few Corners
Source: EKN Radio Network - Podbean
The primary laps are the points of a race that have all the drivers within close quarters of each other. Not having the tyres underneath the machine to withstand the pressure may cause a big pile-up. Therefore, many drivers opt to take the first few corners of a track at a reduced speed to allow the tires to build up more heat without putting too much stress on them while they’re still cold.
Tackling corners beyond the grip limit can cause excessive sliding or rotate the driver into a full spin. Keep the kart under control to ensure the heat stays evenly distributed.
As the tyres warm up, you’ll realize that the limit increases with each passing corner. Once the opening corners are driven, the tyres will be close to optimal tyre temperature to attack the remaining part of the lap.
CONCLUSION
What is an often overlooked area, the formation lap of a race is crucial to kart performance as it is the opportunity to get the tyres into the right temperature window. Doing so requires progressive application of the throttle and brake at the beginning. Finally, in racing conditions, increase your pace as the lap goes on as your tyres reach the optimal temperatures. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your go-kart tires reach the maximum grip and performance on the track.
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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!
The third edition of our SuperNats week
The second edition of our SuperNats week is looking at the Barriers!
