The Basics of Kart Racing

A financial advisor with a career that spans three decades, Keefe Gorman serves as managing director of investments and wealth management advisor with the offices of Merrill Lynch in Ithaca, New York. In his free time, Keefe Gorman is an avid karting enthusiast. 

A successful go-kart run begins by selecting the proper kart. For greater control, wise drivers may want to look for vehicles with fresher tires. New drivers should be sure that they don’t fall prey to the higher speeds of particularly powerful karts that may lead to drifting and a loss of control. 

While driving, the most important thing to remember is to enter turns slow, but exit them fast. This technique enables drivers to keep momentum throughout the race, maintaining control while maximizing speed. Likewise, drivers should strive for constant speed by smoothly applying the accelerator and brakes as needed. Sudden jerking movements while speeding up and slowing down will inevitably lead to higher finishing times.

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