Karting is a Normal Person's Sport...

"qbeezy" (qbeezy)
08/29/2016 at 10:13 • Filed to: Karting, Cars and Coffee

But it was fun as hell. It felt like I was racing with 2 people in the kart, cause I’m 6'3 300lbs. My fate was sealed when I was following lines then the straights. Watching them slowly pull away. Is this how Hass feels when a Mercedes slowly pulls away? At least Cars and Coffee was fun as hell too. Potato Bentley for your time.

Bonus Evora. Probably only one in Tulsa!

DISCUSSION (12)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > qbeezy
08/29/2016 at 10:39

I wonder how much weight affects karts... I went a couple weeks ago, and was a steady 21.35 seconds once I got the track figured out. Which was a steady dead last, the other 4 drivers coming anywhere 20.3-8 for the most part. (Most part because there was one driver that managed to absolutely BLITZ the track at the last second and got ~19.5) I’m also at least a good 60lbs heavier than the next heaviest driver, and nearer 100lbs more than the lightest.

Of course this is all just racing drivers excuses.

miadaman? yes please > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/29/2016 at 11:31

At any good Karting facility, Karts are calibrated every night. Of course that is not a common occurrence and skill of calibrator vary, so you end up with karts of noticeable power disparities.

I remember some gas karts in my area weights 250lbs so driver weights contribute. However electric karts can weight 3-4 times the amount with instant torque so they are less of a concern.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > miadaman? yes please
08/29/2016 at 11:36

These were 50km/h indoor gassers.

miadaman? yes please > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/29/2016 at 11:50

I would venture to guess weight played less of a role than driver skill and kart power consistency. Funny enough with big guys they can lean in corners to better distribute kart weight, although it’s more useful in outdoor tracks with faster speeds.

qbeezy > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
08/29/2016 at 12:14

I just know that at WOT I was on his bumper and he slowly pulled away even on the same line!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > miadaman? yes please
08/29/2016 at 12:18

I’d say they’re all pretty big. I weigh almost as much as that kart you mentioned... I’m sitting at about 235lb. But here’s the evidence:

#1 I don’t kart much.

#2 I was experimenting a little as the track was totally new.

#3 I did actually use a couple different karts.

#4 The light guys were pulling away strong down the straights, so there’s definitely a weight impact.

#5 more weight CAN mean better traction even though acceleration suffers. But I imagine this applies more to outdoor tracks with asphalt more than indoor tracks where the grippy coating has been worn through to concrete on the best cornering lines.

Also... I KNEW THAT DAMMIT AND I DIDN’T REMEMBER. I was just letting the kart throw me to the outside instead of leaning in.

Overall, I just wasn’t as good... I know that. I’m just interested to know how much closer it would have been.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > qbeezy
08/29/2016 at 12:19

ditto.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > qbeezy
08/29/2016 at 13:53

I love that place, but at 6'1" 220, I feel your big boy pain. Missed C&G for my kids’ first cross country meet of the season. I have seen a red Evora in town (in my neighborhood a while back!).

qbeezy > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/29/2016 at 15:16

It was my first time there and was way too much fun. Especially for the price.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > qbeezy
08/29/2016 at 15:19

They combined both tracks into one big one yesterday. I’m seriously thinking about getting out there tonight to try it (I’ve been lots of times on both of the regular tracks).

qbeezy > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/29/2016 at 15:43

I didn’t even know that was an option! Gotta see if they can do that next time.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > qbeezy
08/29/2016 at 15:54

They have to reconfigure the track, so they only offer it on certain days, and only for a couple days at a time. They’ve done it a couple times before this, but I haven’t been able to get out there to run on it yet.