Then I need to go back!!!!! New track! Yippee!

 

Ok, I have few questions. In regards to the YELLOW track (that you guys just changed from) Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Out of turn 7, I WOT all the way through turn 1,2,3. With that much speed into 4, I had to slow down just after passing apex 3. I could do 4 with just lift throttle, but found I needed to lift very soon after apex 3. On the other hand, I used the brakes, I could late brake into 4 and still make the line. But without timing equipment, I have no idea if this was actually slower. Is it?

For turn 4, regarless of how I slowed down, I found the idea was to start turn in wide and early into 4. With the speed and angle of the turn, the kart will want to drift, so I had to balance the throttle to shift weight to the back to prevent the sliding. If done right, I could get full throttle well before the late apex 4. Is this right?

Ok, turn 6 is my next question. With a lot of speed carried through 4, and wot through 5 (turn 5 is cake), I had a lot of speed going into 6 and found I needed to brake at the very end of the 5 to 6 straight. I'd go wide and cut a middle to late apex on 6. For this turn, the kart again wants to drift (because of the speed) so again I have to balance throttle for the rearward weight shft. Am I still not supposed to brake?

Lastly, how do you do turn 7? Coming out of 6, I'd quicly lift throttle to switch directions, like a 2 point slalom. This would greatly help the front dig in and turn to get around 7. Then I'd exit wide to try and stay as straight as possible to allow the wheel to stay hooked up as I got on the throttle WOT as soon as smoothness would allow. This seemed to get me going out of 7 faster, but due to the wide path I'm not sure if I was giving up time because of geography. Comments?

BTW, thanks.

 

Crap, now I'll never break into the 18s

Is this the new track? That looks an awful lot like the original layout when they first opened.

 

Went down there this weekend. The track is similar to the original layout. There is no kink on between 1 and 2 and the 'infield' portion is rounder. Also the last hairpin is wider than it used to be.

They said this is the summer layout and they will switch to something else for the winter layout.

 

I finally got to try out the June-Dec track (the orange one pictured above). Records for the day were in the mid 19's. Today seemed pretty slippery and/or my #17 kart seemed to have slippery tires. Plus I suck.

I was totally unfamiliar with the track. I saw the cartoon of it on the website, but that of course never tells you enough info. I was sliding and coming into corner too hot like crazy, but finally managed to get it down to the 21's once I figured out better lines. Best lap: 21.89 seconds.

Turn 1 (starting from grid position, clockwise): This is a standard 90 right, with a gotcha on the exit. Entry to this turn is the end of the longest straight coming off the last turn which is a big wide fat one. That means LOTS of speed. Turn 2 is pretty wide, but what kinks up turn 1 is a part of the wall that juts out on the outer left edge of the exit of 1. No braking is necessary on turn in, but lift throttle is necessary to rotate the car... and it needs to be done early to slice the apex very late. Or else you'll go wide and smash sideways into the wall just; which I did a couple times.

Turn 2: This is a standard 90 right. Once you know you made the exit of turn 1 and won't smash into the wall, it's full throttle for a simple turn 2 out in out. Cake. Exit should go wide in anticipation of slowing for Turn 3.

Turn 3: This is a wide but sharp right 180 hairpin. Exiting wide from turn 2, take an early braking zone and take a set into the hairpin, hugging the inside. It is a slow turn, but sharp so balance the throttle to weight transfer to the rear to prevent sliding. Exit of 3 lines you up for 4.

Turn 4a and 4b: This is a dual apex left turn. Because it is so wide, brake into the first apex and go wide initially and they late apex the second apex, again balancing the throttle to control sliding. The exit of 4 is so wide that you don't need to go too late on the second apex. Exit full throttle wide right.

Turn 5: This is an increasing radus left that immediately leads into turn 6. Because of this, enter far right wide for a very late apex in order to set up for turn 6. Exit of 5 is practically the entry braking zone for 6.

Turn 6: I'm not quite sure how to do this 180 right hairpin. I'm guessing, go wide out of 5 and lift throttle to start a turn in for a slightly late apex on 6. This turn is so sharp, I think it's better to use the width of the track here. Take a slightly late apex and exit straight wide until you build speed up. This is critical, as this is the last slow turn before a series of very fast turns and the longest straight of the track.

Turn 7: Plain jane 90 right. Wherever you exit from 6, cut the apex of 7 for as much speed through the straight. You should be WOT the entire time.

What I did right: Not much. I guess I kept getting better and with no one to follow to give me hints on the lines, I did manage to be sensitive to where I wasn't taking a good line. Figuring out turn 1 and 3 were probably the focus of today's practice. I barely startng figuring out turn 5's setup to 6.

What I did wrong: Couldn't balance the throttle worth crap. My tail kept sliding out and I even did four wheel drifts. Even on an easy double apex 4, I was slidng on the exit. I was not fast today.

Critiques and comments welcomed.

 

The winter and summer layouts are the same track, just flipped.

 

I actually brake very late and drift into 3a then power over on 3b. This way I was able to stay close the the apex and pass some people on 3b exit or 4a entry for those that took it wide on 3a and 3b.

As for 4a and 4b, while it's fun to drift around those two corners, it slowed me down A LOT! I found that staying steady throttle and 'grip' through 4a and 4b would give me a much after enter speed on 5.

I still can't figure out 6...

I would only have to lift on 1 if I came out of 6 fast, otherwise floor it all the way and slightly drift into 2

someone from previous post said no braking necessary. But I don't know how to take 3a and 3b without braking... Maybe I am just chicken ****! lol!

I need some MAJOR help on 6 because I think that is the key to pass people at 7 and right before 1.

 

wow. sub 20 second lap times. i want to go.
have any of you been to dromo 1 in anaheim?

 

Ed....I'm in your boat man. Not quite as tall but the weight. I'm around 240. Last time I went I was at 260. I got my *** handed to me much of the time. When I was freed up.....one slower car in front of me that refused to let me by...despite blue flags...I ran close to everyone else out there. I really think in cars like the weight can really cost you...I'd say as much as a half second or more. I can't find my paper but I ran in the mid 21's. I'd be with some work I could get around 20. I think with my weight it's damn near impossible to get into the 18's but low/mid 19s maybe.