You may think that racing a go kart is like driving a car – but there are subtle differences between driving racing a go kart and driving your family truckster.  Here are the top go kart racing mistakes most people make – and how to avoid them:

1. Lay off the brake – many drivers instinct is to speed hard on the straightaways and jam on their brakes in the curves, but this is a mistake. The secret to go kart racing success is , and managing the turns is all in the timing.  Don’t brake too early because you need some speed going into a turn, but if you wait too long to brake you may have to brake hard, which is dangerous and can cause you to spin out.  The solution is to decelerate going into the turn, and then accelerate coming out of the turn.  You may have to brake, but don’t rely solely on the braking to manage the curve.  This can vary from track to track, but if you are sensitive to how your car is handling you will get the feel for the right combination as your race progresses.
2. Don’t turn too wide or too tight – timing the turn can be a tricky aspect of go kart driving, and can depend upon your position on the track and the sharpness of the turn. In general, start wide, and aim just beyond the apex of the tracks curve.  As you round the turn, accelerate to keep your momentum going.  If you start the turn too tight, you’ll end up braking more, which will slow you down.  If you turn too wide, you could spin out and lose time.
3. Have you heard the expression – stay ahead of the curve? Well the theory applies to go kart racing as well.   It’s a common mistake to focus on the curve you are in – but if you look ahead to the next curve and plan your moves accordingly, you’ll be one step ahead of your opponents.
4. Don’t forget to have fun! Go kart racing can become intensely competitive.  While a little competition is fun, if you take yourself too seriously you’ll miss out on the fun and camaraderie of the race.  You can beat your friends and still have fun!

With a little practice and go kart racing strategy, you can avoid these common go kart racing mistakes and have a great time on the track.  Remember – safety is key – and practice makes perfect!