Types of Overtakes

Be it for the win, a podium position, or simply more points in a race, every overtake matters. Timing an overtake and making it stick is one of the greatest attributes a driver must have in order to possess top-tier race craft. Over the course of a race, the driver will encounter many situations that require a different course of action. In today’s article, we take a deep dive at driver’s overtaking options that they have at their disposal and when to use it.

1. Divebomb

Perhaps the most popular overtake is what’s called the ‘divebomb’. Synonymous with the quote “lick a stamp and send it”, this maneuver sees the driver behind braking very late. The purpose of this style is to get the kart alongside the driver in front. It is crucial to get this done quickly and before the driver turns in so that there will be no contact of karts.

One advantage of this move is that it can take the driver ahead by surprise. Because divebombs see the driver behind come from a long way back, it can get the driver in front out of the groove and eventually force them wide when being overtaken. There are some cases wherein once a move is made, the driver on the defense may take evasive action, compromising their line as well as their exit.

This leads smoothly onto one disadvantage of the divebomb, and it is that this style of overtaking presents a high chance that the exit will be highly compromised, or contact of karts as the driver in front is less aware of the overtake happening. If the overtaking zone is followed up by a long straight, this may leave you vulnerable to an overtake yourself. With that, unless you are certain that the exit will not be compromised or it is a last lap pass for the win, a divebomb is something that should be a last resort.

2. Switchback

A switchback is when a driver takes the line of the defender upon exit. To perform a proper switchback, anticipation is key. This is because the move is executed on the exit of a corner, and knowing where the driver you will overtake will be essential in order to avoid an accident and timing the overtake.

To perform a switchback, you will often find yourself on the outside of the track for this one. The key is to brake early, be on the throttle before the other driver, and the additional speed will help on the exit.. This will set you up for a good exit and a ton of speed to perform the pass. On top of this, you will often have more momentum upon exiting which can prevent any overtake by the other driver.

This type of overtake is best done in slow corners such as hairpins. Chicanes are also another good option if you position your kart correctly. We see these overtakes more prominent in the closing stages of races when drivers are defending often.

3. Around The Outside

Source: The SportsRush

If you struggle to pass a driver on the inside, maybe going around the outside is the way. This method is only best if you are willing to take a risk. Attempting an overtake around the outside, requires confidence, grip, and knowing your opposition, as there is less margin for error.

Squeezing the driver on the inside is another plus as this can limit the speed they carry across the corner, and thus they are unable to keep up with you around the corner.

Long, flowing corners are some of the best places to perform this move. Furthermore, if the track has any banking, this may aid to your benefit as this can help carry more speed.

4. Dummy Overtake

Source: TeamSport

In a race track, there are two imaginary lines on a race track, the inside and the outside line. The inside is more preferred for overtaking as it reduces the distance needed to drive. So what is the point of all this? Well, when performing a dummy, a lot of crossover between the two lines will happen.

Before approaching the corner, you will often see yourself on the outside of the corner getting a draft from the driver ahead. Because the inside line is the ideal one, the natural motion is to switch to the inside. Looking to prevent a move, the driver ahead will perform a block. This is where the dummy overtake comes in.

After the driver ahead blocks, you immediately switch back to the outside and perform the overtake. Think of this as an advanced outside line overtake, meaning that you still need that grip in your tyres to perform such a maneuver.

And that concludes this article on the types of overtakes in go-kart racing. At the end of the day, all these maneuvers are great moves to perform for an overtake. Ultimately, it matters how you perform these overtakes and when. If the situation calls for it, then there is no better time to rise to the occasion.

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