A common sin in karting is to keep looking behind during a race. We will discuss the topic in detail and give an answer to whether looking behind is ever justified in karting? 

What’s the Wrong with Looking Behind?

All drivers at some point of their careers have likely been criticised for looking behind. It will make them nervous and distract their driving, thereby, have a negative impact on the result. Especially in nervous situation, drivers want more information to assess their situation and progress. This often leads to the looking behind many times during a single lap, whether on the straights or after sharp corners. This is the trap every father, coach and mechanic will drive to keep their driver from – to keep the focused on their own driving. 

How to Avoid Looking Behind?

More experienced drivers make decision by hearing. But this is something to pick up on in long term when you’re very used to your category and hearing the karts around you. Is it justified to look behind for defensive maneuvers then? Yes, but not too frequently. When your next move depends on the information you recieve, check behind. Once. When you see you’ve been caught or already can feel other drivers pushing your back bumper, there’s no need to keep checking for them.

Next time to check would be after some part of the track you did not have to defend or when you feel less under pressure. When you might have pulled a gap, defending would slow you back down again and put you in danger. But when you can hear or feel the still breathing down your neck, keep going and make the maneuvers you think are necessary. 

How to Know If You’re in Danger?

Another nervous situation can occur when you don’t need to defend yet, but the guy behind really starts catching up. Like 3 to 4 tenths a lap. Is it justified to look behind then? Not until you can hear them or won’t see them from the hairpins anymore. When you know someone is coming and you’ve lost contact, it can be quite intimidating. But don’t give into it because your next move doesn’t depend on them yet. Keep it clean, think about your driving and give as much as you’ve got. But when you feel or hear company, don’t let yourself get played. Be prepared, check behind once, or go by hearing and cover the overtaking spots. 

Is looking behind justified in karting? Yes, when it helps and your next move depends on it. But look behind as rarely as possible and don’t make it a habit or part of your racing style.