Go karting tips
Go karting for beginners at Absolutely Karting
While there’s nothing like stepping into a kart and doing lap after lap after lap to improve your racing skills and times, there is some knowledge we can pass on before you even get to that stage.
We know that for some people who haven’t been karting before, it can feel a bit daunting, so we’ve put together some top go karting tips for beginners about what you can expect on the day and how to get the kart moving! We promise it’s really easy getting started, and it’s great fun.
You can learn more about indoor karting with us on our FAQs page.
Our team are happy to help answer any questions you may have.
Become a speed demon with our top tips for go karting
You want to wear something you will be comfortable in under a jumpsuit. If what you’re wearing is too restrictive, you’ll spend more time worrying about getting comfy than Barry slipping up on the inside of you to overtake! And don’t wear something that you’re concerned about getting filthy – that white silk dress is a definite no-no.
On your feet, go for trainers, or similar – please note that you won’t be allow to set foot on the track if you’re wearing flip flops, heels, sliders, or any open-toed shoes.
We ask everyone to arrive 45 minutes before your track time so you can take part in an essential safety briefing – if you miss this, there’s no racing for you! You’ll then be taken to your kart and it’s time to get racing.
There’s no way of doing this elegantly! Listen to our race marshals as they will help so you get your feet in the right place. Once in, you should position yourself so that you can easily reach the pedals with your legs slightly bent – similar to a driving position. You shouldn’t have to reach forward to grab the steering wheel.
The right pedal is your accelerator, and the left pedal is your brake – there’s no clutch or gears to worry about in a kart. Press the accelerator to go faster and the brake to slow down – it’s that simple.
If you drive a car, you’ll know what it’s like when you drive an unfamiliar vehicle. You need to get used to the pedals and it’s the same in a kart. Start by gently pushing the accelerator to get an idea of how much force you need to give to get it to move, and then do the same with the brake.
We appreciate that sometimes you can’t remember everything you will have learnt in the safety briefing, so our marshals will be out on the track to remind drivers of the rules – please listen and respect them.
The key to getting faster is to keep the drive as smooth as possible. It’s about getting used to the kart and the track, so you don’t lose momentum by having to brake suddenly. Also make sure you benefit from the track straights as these give you the opportunity to really put the pedal to the floor and increase your speed.
The more times you go around the track the more you’ll start to anticipate what corner or straight is coming up, and you’ll know when to speed up or slow down.
Now you know what you need to do, let’s get you on the track!
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craig beckey13 February 2024Great track but hard on a old man's arms Will returnRycochu13 February 2024For my first time experience, it was the most fun I have ever had in a while. Despite having to be put through a lot of pressure, it was fun. I would absolutely recommend going here if you have had some kind of driving experience, whether that's driving lessons, or mario kart, it is so much fun, especially when you are with friends. Don't be afraid of going to slow, or being last place, the only thing that matters about go-karting, is the overall experience and fun that you have. 2 of my other friends did this, and we had a blast.Sana Salman9 February 2024My son has enjoyed the Gokart along with his friends. Good experience for kids. Strongly recommendGamiac20 January 2024I'm actually riding to this place as I'm writing my review. This is my No. 1 go-to karting place when I wanna try to improve my skills. Both the 800 and 1000m tracks are very nice to race on and the track Marshalls are very kind. Edit Jan 2024: This track was where I started as a hobbyist karter and I look forward to hopefully coming back down :) I'd also like to add that the 270cc karts do have a difference to the 200cc you see in your average teamsport. The track is a lot more technical on the bottom but flat out on the top. They've done an amazing job segregating the beginner 200m and 800m adult tracks, while combining them for a perfect 1000m trackMmarkiza17 January 2024Absolutely loving spend there time with all my family just for funPaul Riddell8 January 2024Had a great morning, thoroughly enjoyed the experience, hope to do it again soon... (Need to strengthen my hands and wrists before though... 😁😁😁)
